Masonic Lodge Opening on June 21, 2008

Saturday, June 21 is the official opening of the “new” 1860s Masonic Lodge at Upper Canada Village. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the special Masonic ritual of laying a corner stone, complete with time capsule. It is also the first building to be added to Upper Canada Village since the Tin Shop in 1994.

The festivities take place on the afternoon of June 21, beginning with a parade of Masons carrying the symbols of their trade and led by the South Glengarry Pipes and Drums. Freemasons from far and near will gather in front of the building to dedicate and lay the cornerstone in an ancient ceremony that has been performed for centuries since the building of the great cathedrals of Europe but is rarely performed nowadays. The Most Worshipful Master of the Grand Lodge, M.W. Bro. Allan J. Petrisor, will be present to officiate, along with many other dignitaries.

The stone will be suspended within a large wooden tripod decorated with green boughs. Inscribed on the stone will be two dates, that of this year and that of the corresponding Masonic year of light, which adds four thousand years to the date. The ancient corner-stone ceremony will involve anointing the stone with grain (representing plenty), wine (representing joy and cheerfulness), and oil (representing comfort and consolation). A time capsule, containing items from both 2008 and the 1860s, will be laid behind the corner stone as part of the ceremony. The beautiful copper time capsule was crafted by Upper Canada Village’s resident tinsmith.

After the ceremony, members of the public will be invited to toast the new building with lemonade and to visit the lodge which will be open throughout the afternoon. To conclude the festivities, a service of thanksgiving in Christ Church, just down the street from the new lodge, will begin at 4:00 p.m.

The “new” building, originally an Orange Lodge built in 1863, was moved to Upper Canada Village from the Village of Kars in south-west Ottawa. This project, in partnership with the Masons of Eastern Ontario – who have been very generous with time, talent, financing, and donated artefacts – offers visitors the chance to learn about the history and role of the Masonic Lodge and other fraternal societies in Upper Canada during the 19th century. Such societies had both a social and a charitable function, which continues today. Many original 19th century Masonic items gathered from within the eastern region will be on exhibit in the lodge, which will be known as the Ancient Brethren Lodge.