The Michigan Masonic Library and Museum - Website Here
Smaller libraries and Masonic collections have existed across the State of Michigan since the earliest days of Masonry in Michigan. The topic of a statewide masonic library was discussed over the years, but it wasn't until the formation, in 1980, of the Masonic Foundation of Michigan, Inc. (later the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation) did the specific mission of establishing a Museum and Library begin to take shape.
Early elements of the Museum and Library collection were first housed at the Michigan Masonic Home (later Masonic Pathways in Alma). In 1996, a formal budget for the Museum and Library was established and the search to hire a Masonic Librarian was initiated.
In 2000, the Museum and Library was moved to its present home in the Grand Rapids Masonic Center. The Alma collection, composed largely of books from the estate of the Masonic author James Fairbairn Smith, was combined with a large collection maintained in the Grand Rapids Center by Charles P. Sheffield.
Since the move to Grand Rapids we have continued to grow both the museum artifact collection and the book holdings of the library. We are particularly interested in preserving masonic items that might otherwise be lost through lodge consolidations or the passing of members.
The Museum and Library is funded almost entirely by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation and the Masons of the State of Michigan. The facility is open to the public and is both a museum display space and an active lending library with over 8,000 volumes. Library staff is available to assist with research and make presentations to Masonic and non-Masonic audiences.
You are encouraged to visit the Library and Museum to take full advantage of its large array of holdings.
The Grand Lodge of Michigan Archives Collection
Easily the Michigan Masonic Museum and Library's undiscovered country. This collection is composed of: (1) Materials and images pertaining to the Past Grand Masters of Michigan Masonry; (2) Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Michigan (an annual publication documenting the events transpiring in the Michigan Grand Lodge during any given year); and (3) What we commonly refer to the as the "Grand Lodge Archives." This set of papers represents early correspondence between the Grand Secretary's office and constituent lodges of the Grand Lodge of Michigan from the 1860s to the 1920s. We consider it undiscovered country because it is
still largely un-indexed and unexamined. There are significant handling
and preservation concerns owing the age and fragility of the documents
themselves. Also, a majority of the collection is still rolled and/or
bundled by string from the particular year in which it was originally
stored. The Archives are currently stored in twenty bankers boxes and
are awaiting such time as the necessary resources are available to
unlock what is contained within them.
Lou B.Winsor Photo Collection
The life of Grand Master Lou B. Winsor has been well documented through Masonic records. The Michigan Masonic Museum and Library is continually building collections which document this brother's fascinating life. In addition to diaries, print materials, and secondary references in Masonic publications, the library maintains a collection of photographs of, or relating to, PGM Winsor's life. The collection currently stands at around 200 images and is added to as appropriate images are discovered in other sources and collections. This collection is a particularly good example of one that has been built over time from various acquisitions and sources.
James Fairborn Smith Collection
An overwhelming majority of the Museum and Library's rare book collection is originally from the collection of the James Fairbairn Smith of Detroit. Our James Fairbairn Smith Rare Book Room is a storage area for many of our oldest and unusual books. The climate is controlled in this room to protect its contents. Some of our earliest texts include Masonic books published around the time of the American revolution and a French Masonic ritual from the early 1700s. Smith was a Masonic author and eminent patron of Masonic learning and the Michigan Masonic Museum and Library.
James Fairbairn Smith – Editor of the Detroit Masonic World, B. Jan. 30, 1902 in Harwick, Roxburgshire, Scotland. Educated at schools in Harwick and Morpeth, England, taking special courses at Rutherford Technical College and the Royal Society of Arts, London.
He graduated from the National College of Music in 1923. Left Scotland in January, 1924 for Calgary, Alberta, but on arriving in Toronto, decided to visit Detroit, Mich., and remained to make it his home. For the next 12 years he taught music, becoming a director of the Redford Branch, Detroit Conservatory of Music, and an associate instructor of Detroit Foundation School. Helped found Brightmoor Musical Festival and also the Detroit Musician’s League.
Was raised as a “Lewis” at the age of 18 in the lodge at Harwick, Scotland. Exalted in King Cyrus Chapter No. 133, Detroit, in Nov. 1925, and high priest in 1934. Was grand high priest of Michigan in 1945. Greeted in Monroe Council No. 1, R.&S.M. in March, 1926 and knighted in Detroit Commandery No.1, K.T. in Nov., 1926. Received 32nd degree AASR (NJ) in 1934, and headed the Detroit Consistory in 1953-56; received the 33rd degree in 1946. Was a member of St. Clements Conclave No. 39, R.C.C.; Royal Order of Scotland; Philalethes Society; Moslem Shrine Temple; Royal Order of Jesters; Blue Friar;
A vast majority of the Museum and Library rare book collection came as a result of his generosity.
His publication, the Masonic World, came to define him as an author, speaker, and masonic scholar. It was the pre-eminant publication of its time. The Michigan Masonic Museum and Library has substantial holdings of the Masonic World and it pre-cursor the Masonic News. Future plans include scanning and digitizing the entire collection so it is fully searchable by patrons and researchers.
