Essex Masonic Library & Museum

Since the Official Opening by the Provincial Grand Master on 19th September 2006, work has continued to improve the Library and Museum and to add further books and artefacts.

Items are being donated on a regular basis by many brethren or their widows. This has enabled us to make specific displays of regalia, breast jewels and Masonic certificates. The purchase of further glass units has allowed us to display some of the very special and ancient artefacts on loan from Angel Lodge No.51.

Following the opening of the Library & Museum, articles appeared in “The Square” magazine by W Bro Leo Zanelli in the December 2006 issue and in the Spring Issue 2007 of “Freemasonry Today”. This was then followed up by an in-depth article by W Bro Yasha Beresiner in his Masonic museum series in the Summer 2007 edition of “Freemasonry Today” with photographs of some of the exhibits.

One of our first aims was to have a picture/photograph of every Provincial Grand Master since 1776 and this article noted that we were still missing RW Bros William Wix (1801-1823) William Philip Honywood (1824-1831) and Robert John Bagshaw (1854-1878).

This is now down to one. Having received the 150 year history of United Lodge No.697, imagine our surprise and delight to find a picture of Robert John Bagshaw towards the back of the booklet and a print was soon received from W Bro Mark Davies the former Lodge secretary.

The picture of William Wix was discovered by chance when W Bro Brian Cattermole, Assistant Librarian & Curator, was “surfing the net” and found that a fine arts company had for sale a miniature of William Wix painted in 1800 by Henry Spicer. The miniature was accompanied with a gold lined yew wood box inscribed that it had been presented by William Wix to the 2nd Earl of Moira, Acting Grand Master 1790-1813.

Further good news, is that this remarkable find is now being purchased by the Grand Lodge Library & Museum with assistance from the London Grand Rank Association Heritage & Educational Trust. Congratulations to Brian on this discovery of importance.

Finally, the PGM announced at the June meeting of Essex Masters Lodge that when the new RMBI Home is built at Bocking, it will include two large rooms for our Library & Museum. We are grateful for this support from R W Bro John Webb and the RMBI and look forward to the challenges that this will bring over the next few years.

The Library and Museum is a member of the Masonic Library & Museum Group and the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle.

W Bro Mark L Perkins TD ProvGSwdB – Librarian and Curator
W Bro Peter W Smith PPGSwdB - Assistant Librarian
W Bro Brian A J Cattermole – Assistant Curator

OPENING HOURS : 10.00 - 13.00 Every Tuesday.
Other times by appointment either with the Provincial Office or Mark Perkins on 01702-711201 or perkins.mark@btinternet.com