Secrets of the Cloth: The Mystery of Masonic Folk Arts

What can a 150-year-old Masonic apron tell us about migration patterns? Can a handmade quilt explain gender roles during the American Revolution? And what do we make of the mysterious little box that’s a lodge room in miniature? These are among the many questions raised by Masonic folk art—one of the fraternity’s most enduring contributions to material culture and the theme for our latest issue of California Freemason magazine. Whether it’s through floor cloths, jewelry, woodwork, or—of course—aprons, learn about the stories Masons have been telling through these precious objects of interest.

Check out the digital issue on our newly redesigned home page, californiafreemason.org. And search for your favorite topics, peruse past issues, and find the latest news from the fraternity all in one convenient place.

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Here, a few highlights from our Fall issue:


A Shared Heritage

How Masonic folk art provides a bridge to today’s modern makers.

The Etsy Crew
Meet three Masonic artisans keeping the folk art tradition alive with some eye-catching designs.

The Pin Code
How do you tell a life story, set new goals, and define your legacy—all on a single lapel pin?

The Do-It-Yourself Lodge
For members of San Francisco’s Logos Lodge No. 861, creativity permeates all aspects of lodge life.

Rising from the Ashes
The fire in Paradise took everything from Nate Smith. It also gave him the inspiration to kick-start his country music career.

 

The Sept/Oct issue of California Freemason magazine is now available on our redesigned online edition: californiafreemason.org! Search for your favorite topics, peruse past issues and find the latest news from the fraternity all in one convenient place.

Tales From the Underground

Whether in caves or quarries, Masons have been known to meet in some unusual places. Take for example this Grand Lodge of Arizona meeting in a cave owned by the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Co. in Bisbee, Arizona. Learn more about how these underground meeting spaces elevated the lodge experience at californiafreemason.org/talesfromtheunderground.

The July/August issue of California Freemason magazine is now available on our newly redesigned online edition: californiafreemason.org! Search for your favorite topics, peruse past issues and find the latest news from the fraternity all in one convenient place.

Take the #BlueLodgeChallenge

Whether it’s honoring worthy citizens in their towns at an annual dinner, funding generous scholarships for local students, or clearing trash from the roads or beach, it’s in simple acts of charity, volunteerism, and philanthropy that Masons give back. We want the world to know about it! The #BlueLodgeChallenge is how we’re going to do it.

Lodges around the state are invited to share posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter showing the great work they do in their community. And tag other lodges to challenge them to post examples of their own community service. Just be sure to use the hashtag #BlueLodgeChallenge. Keep the momentum going and show your fellow Masons—and the world at large—just how impactful our lodges are in their communities.

If you want to join in the action from your personal social media profiles, by all means, go ahead! Get tagged? Keep the party going by sharing photos and video of your lodge out in the community.

 

The July/August issue of California Freemason magazine is now available on our newly redesigned online edition: californiafreemason.org! Search for your favorite topics, peruse past issues and find the latest news from the fraternity all in one convenient place.