The Grand (Baltimore, Maryland)

Last updated
The Grand, 2017 The Grand Hotel - Baltimore - 1.jpg
The Grand, 2017

The Grand is a Masonic temple located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Constructed in 1866 by the Freemasons as the Grand Lodge of Maryland Masonic Temple, the building was the headquarters for the Maryland Freemasons for over 130 years. [1] Edmund G. Lind was commissioned to design a new Masonic Temple. [2] The French and Italian Renaissance-inspired property is a 7-story, 90,000 square foot building in downtown Baltimore. Among its ten main meeting rooms are Edinburgh Hall, modeled after the Tudor-style Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, and another which resembles an Egyptian temple. The building features ornate plaster moldings, a marble staircase, stained glass windows and Rococo chandeliers.

Contents

History

In 1822, the Masons dedicated their first Grand Lodge of Maryland on St. Paul Street and Lexington Avenue. During the Civil War years, the Grand Lodge served as a federal courthouse for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. After the war ended, Baltimore's economy returned to its economic focus and continued to expand. Later, the City of Baltimore acquired the Grand Lodge for a permanent extension of the Court House, and the Masons began construction on their second Grand Lodge. On November 20, 1866, the cornerstone was laid for the new Grand Lodge on Charles Street. [1]

A fire destroyed the interior in 1890, and a second fire again gutted the building in 1900, also destroying the upper stories. Repairs were completed in 1909, according to designs by Joseph Evans Sperry. It was Sperry who added the Beaux Arts sixth story and attic, as well as the elaborate ornamentation around the entryway. [3]

Its first floor was partially used for retail and its headquarters was there until 1994, when the Lodge moved to the suburbs. After the 1987 bicentennial Celebration of the founding of the Maryland Freemasons, the Masons decided to make use of a large parcel of land they owned north of the city for a new Grand Lodge. In 1993, construction of a new complex in Cockeysville, Maryland began, and the new Grand Lodge of Maryland was dedicated there in 1996. [1]

Attracted by its beauty and recognizing the possibilities for other uses, the owners of the neighboring Tremont Suites Hotel purchased the Lodge from the Masons in 1998. The firm began planning a renovation of the structure which would honor its grace and historical significance while using it for meeting space and social functions. City of Baltimore officials were unaware of plans for restoration and condemned the building in order to erect a much-needed parking structure on the land. Working with the city, the hotel's owners crafted an agreement which would save the building and add a parking structure directly behind it. Thanks to that agreement, restoration of the magnificent structure began. A team of architects, designers, restoration specialists and world class craftsmen were assembled to restore the original interiors and replicate what they could. After years of work, the doors of the lodge, newly named Tremont Grand, were opened in September 2005. The project’s scope of work involved restoration and cleaning of exterior and all interior finishes, a new addition providing elevator and lobby access for floors 2 through 5, and a connector to The Tremont Plaza Hotel. [2] Nearly 140 years after its original cornerstone was laid as the Grand Lodge of Maryland, the Tremont Grand was returned to a graceful and elegant state, remaining a piece of Baltimore's history. [1] [4]

When the hotel was renamed Embassy Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor, the building was renamed Grand Historic Venue. In 2015, the building was renamed The Grand.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Washington Masonic National Memorial</span> Museum, observation in Alexandria, Virginia

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a Masonic building and memorial located in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. It is dedicated to the memory of George Washington, first president of the United States and charter Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22. The tower is fashioned after the ancient Lighthouse of Ostia in Ostia Antica. The 333-foot (101 m) tall memorial sits atop Shooter's Hill at 101 Callahan Drive. Construction began in 1922, the building was dedicated in 1932, and the interior finally completed in 1970. In July 2015, it was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architecture, and as one of the largest-scale private memorials to honor Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masonic Temple (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)</span>

The Masonic Temple built in 1894 at St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada is an example of Victorian construction which includes pilasters, free-standing columns and multiple pediments. The Masonic Temple was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Lodge of Massachusetts</span>

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, commonly referred to as the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and abbreviated GLMA, is the main governing body of Freemasonry within Massachusetts, and maintains Lodges in other jurisdictions overseas, namely Panama, Chile, the People's Republic of China, and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania</span> Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania in United States of America

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, officially The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdictions Thereunto Belonging, sometimes referred to as Freemasons of Pennsylvania, is the premier masonic organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Grand Lodge claims to be the oldest in the United States, and the third-oldest in the world after England and Ireland, having been originally established as the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1731. This claim is disputed by both the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freemasons' Hall, London</span> Headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England

Freemasons' Hall in London is the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England and the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England, as well as being a meeting place for many Masonic Lodges in the London area. It is located in Great Queen Street between Holborn and Covent Garden and has been a Masonic meeting place since 1775.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Lodge of New York</span> Organization of Freemasons in the U.S. state of New York

The Grand Lodge of New York, officially the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, is the largest and oldest of several organizations of Freemasons that are based in the U.S. state of New York. The offices of the Grand Lodge are located at Masonic Hall in New York City.

Masonic College was a higher education institution in the U.S. state of Missouri that was established by Freemasons in 1844 and operated until 1857.

The Grand Lodge of British Freemasonry in Germany is a Masonic Grand Lodge in Germany working in the English language and following English Masonic traditions. It was founded as a District Lodge in 1957 and after various transformations was eventually recognised as Grand Lodge in 1980. This Grand Lodge is one of the five United Grand Lodges of Germany (VGLvD). It currently has members from a variety of nations and in addition to the "resident members" in Germany, there are "non-resident members" all over the world. Currently, 19 lodges work under the GL BFG, mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also in Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and also near Frankfurt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masonic Temple (Muncie, Indiana)</span> United States historic place

Muncie's Masonic Temple is a historic fraternal lodge building located in Muncie, Indiana. The building is now only used by the Cornerstone Center for the Arts. The Muncie Masonic Temple is in the Gothic Revival style, and was designed and built during the height of the City Beautiful Movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masonic Temple</span>

A Masonic Temple or Masonic Hall is, within Freemasonry, the room or edifice where a Masonic Lodge meets. Masonic Temple may also refer to an abstract spiritual goal and the conceptual ritualistic space of a meeting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Masonic Temple</span> United States historic place

The current Indianapolis Masonic Temple, also known as Indiana Freemasons Hall, is a historic Masonic Temple located at Indianapolis, Indiana. Construction was begun in 1908, and the building was dedicated in May 1909. It is an eight-story, Classical Revival style cubic form building faced in Indiana limestone. The building features rows of engaged Ionic order columns. It was jointly financed by the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Indiana, and was designed by the distinguished Indianapolis architectural firm of Rubush and Hunter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Masonic Temple</span> Building in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The Victoria Masonic Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka is the meeting place for the Masonic Lodges in the Colombo area. It was built in 1901 during British rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auburn Masonic Temple (Auburn, Washington)</span> United States historic place

The Auburn Masonic Temple is located at 10 Auburn Way South in Auburn, Washington. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 and is significant for various reasons. The building is "an unusually sophisticated, urban version of fraternal architecture for a town of less than 3,500. It remains today the only fraternal hall in the city still in its original use."

Freemasonry in Spain is first recorded in 1728, in an English lodge. As various papal bulls condemned Freemasonry the Spanish Inquisition did their best to close lodges and demonise Freemasons, therefore the success of Freemasonry from year to year depended on the sympathy or antipathy of the ruling regime. Nevertheless, lodges and even Grand Lodges were formed, and even thrived during more liberal periods. When Francisco Franco consolidated power in 1939, all Freemasonry was banned. In 1979, four years after Franco's death, bans on Freemasonry were declared unconstitutional, and several Grand Lodges and Orients now flourish in Spain.

Masonic Hall in New York City is the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. It has been located at 23rd Street and 6th Avenue in the Flatiron district since 1875. The current building, completed in two phases, dates from 1909 and 1913.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Capitol cornerstone laying</span>

The United States Capitol cornerstone laying was the Freemasonry ceremonial placement of the cornerstone of the United States Capitol on September 18, 1793. The cornerstone was laid by president of the United States George Washington Leder of the Lodge of the Continental Army, assisted by the Grand Master of Maryland Joseph Clark, in a Masonic ritual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Lodge Building (Tennessee)</span> Building in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

The Grand Lodge Building is a historic building at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. It houses the Grand Lodge of Tennessee of Free and Accepted Masons. In addition to offices, meeting spaces, and a dining hall, the building also contains a Masonic library, museum, a large theatrical auditorium and stage, and a collection of portraits of all the Past Grand Masters of Tennessee.

The Grand Lodge of North Carolina, formally the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina, was formed on December 12, 1787. Previously, it was the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Carolina, being under jurisdiction of the Premier Grand Lodge of England since January 14, 1771. It is currently composed of 354 active lodges across the 100 counties of North Carolina. The Grand Lodge recognizes its Prince Hall counterpart, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina and its Jurisdictions, Inc., and maintains co-territorial jurisdiction and encourages visitation between the two entities.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The History of the Tremont Grand" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  2. 1 2 "Masonic Temple" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-06-26.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "A Grand Idea" . Retrieved 2012-06-26.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "The Grand Baltimore Home Page". www.thegrandbaltimore.com.

39°17′30.5″N76°36′53.6″W / 39.291806°N 76.614889°W / 39.291806; -76.614889

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.