Aesha E.
Yelp
If, like me, you're fond of Masonic temples, you must visit here. It's the largest Masonic Temple in the world! I'm not sure if there are enough superlatives to express how much I enjoyed this tour. It was stupendous. Fantastic. Amazing. Etcetera. It was the best $40 I've spent in a long time--and it's less expensive if you take one of the pre-scheduled tours; this was an individual one.
I'm so thankful Rob had the time to take me on this tour. It lasted about 90 minutes, and we went throughout the building; the extent of Rob's knowledge is simply astounding. He knew about the history of this building, some about the history of the prior Masonic Temple, and why this massive building was constructed. I learned that the building's lot was donated by John Cass, for whom Park facing the building is named, and that (at least in part) the park was constructed to ensure an unobstructed view from the front of the temple. Well planned, because if not for the park there'd almost certainly be high rises here.
The Temple still hosts a variety of events, of course. There are concerts and other entertainment events in the two theaters. But even more awesome in my opinion is that the upper floors still host meetings by Masonic bodies. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Masonic association still owns the building.
We viewed several of the large rooms meeting rooms. There was the room, I believe was called the Ionic Lodge Room, that overall seemed to be the most formal. It has an architecture unlike any Masonic room I've ever been in before--and I've been in quite a few on multiple countries, as I've been involved in Masonic organizations since I was in utero and my family has been for three generations spanning over 70 years. The balconies in these rooms are amazing and unlike anything I've ever imagined. We visited the Corinthian room, which is a little less grand, but no less decorative.
Although the Ionic room was overall my favorite room in the building, I found the the Scottish Rite Room to be the most unexpected and astounding. It is what I would imagine a medieval throne room to look like. It's quite popular for wedding ceremonies, but is still in use as a meeting room for the Masonic bodies. If I had been a member of Job's Daughters here instead of in Oregon, I probably would have wanted to have at least one of my installations as Honored Queen in this room. To the right of this room (as one faces the East) is the Prelates Room, which has some unique features of its own, including a special view only for the Prelate.
I've toured other Masonic Temples; the buildings are special to me because of the throughline that they provide between me, my mom, and my grandparents. But this is by far the most impressive I have ever seen. I would definitely take this tour again, and I would pay the same price. I wish there was a book about this temple that I could have purchased for my mom, to get across the architectural and historical details beyond me just sending her texts and photographs. In fact, I would have bought one for myself as well so that I could remember some of the unique details that Rob shared about the space. The youth groups still meet here, and I learned that they often have JDR dances here. What fun it would have been to attend those as a member!
There was a hall we visited that seems to act as a recital or smaller concert hall. Like the others, it was a fantastic space; I'd love to see a concert here. The main stage holds not only concerts but when broadway tours come through, they often play here. Jack Black of the White Stripes either owns, partially owns, or had donated a good deal of funding to provide for the revitalization and upkeep of the Temple. As I understand it, his mother worked here when he was young, and there is a sentimental attachment and fond memories here. I'm thankful for that if it's kept this beautiful structure from the wrecking ball.
I'm not sure if my guide is a Mason or not. I did see some car out in the parking lot when I left that had decals for most or all of the Masonic bodies and that piqued my curiosity about who was a member. Regardless of whether he is or not, I truly appreciated his breath of knowledge and the respect with which he divulged that knowledge. It's clear he has a high degree of pride in the building and the history that has brought it to present day.