Morristown Masons Open Library, Museum For 'Secret Society'

On the evening of the 8th of November, 2015 members of Cincinnati Lodge #3, F. & A.M. invited the historical community and general public to come and celebrate the opening of the Morristown Masonic Center Museum & Library. With music playing written by famous Freemasons including Mozart and Jean Sibelius, guests enjoyed a reception hosted in the building’s Collation Room and went upstairs into the Morristown Masonic Center’s Lodge Room that was set up as if a regular “secret” meeting was to take place. Remarks were made by several members of both the historical and Masonic community. Dr. Maxine Lurie, Professor Emeritus of History at Seton Hall University and Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission, gave the opening remarks about the diverse and complex history of New Jersey, Kenneth Miller, Treasurer of the New Jersey Historic Trust and Chair of the Morristown Historic Preservation Commission, spoke on the importance of historic preservation and conserving the heritage of everyday places. Erich Morgan Huhn, Director of the Morristown Masonic Center Museum & Library and member of Cincinnati Lodge #3, introduced fellow members Dr. Glenn T. Visscher, 11th Masonic District Ritual Instructor, and John D. McKeever, Lodge Historian, who spoke on the history of Freemasonry in New Jersey and the diverse membership of the Lodge respectively. John L. LoSapio, Worshipful Master/President of Cincinnati Lodge #3, thanked all the attendees and welcomed the opening of the Museum & Library as an addition to the many public aspects of the Morristown Masonic Center.

The Museum, housed in the anteroom of the Morristown Masonic Center’s Lodge room, includes displays on the history of Freemasonry in Morris County, the York Rite, the Morristown Masonic Center, and the several lodges that have met in the historic 1930s building including Cincinnati Lodge #3 that continues to meet there. The Library, which includes a collection of Masonic encyclopedias, Grand Lodge Proceedings from the early 1890s to present, and some more recent scholarship on America’s most famous fraternity. Both the Museum and Library will be open to the public once a month, as scheduled on the website at CincinnatiLodge3.com, by appointment through email to mmcml.director@gmail.com, and during community and charitable events that are held in the building.