WATCH ABOVE: The Head of Bow River Lodge Freemasons joins Global Calgary with details on Freemasons Day in Calgary.
CALGARY – Those curious about Freemasonry can get up close and personal with the ancient organization this week.
The Bow River Masonic Lodge is hosting an open house from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday to celebrate Freemasons Day.
“It’s the oldest fraternity in the world,” explains James Free, Head of Bow River Masonic Lodge No 1. “Internationally, we have six to seven million Freemasons.”
The organization’s origins date back to Europe in the early 1700s.
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While the fraternity may seem to be shrouded in mystery thanks to Hollywood movies and TV shows, Free says the focus of the fraternity is actually on self-improvement.
“If you can improve the individual, you can then improve your family and then therefore society in the long run,” he says. “We’ve been accused of secrecy, but we have a big building on 12th Avenue with a sign out front that says ‘Calgary Masonic Temple’ – so we’re not hiding anything from anyone.”
“If there’s a secret, it’s that we’re here to improve ourselves throughout our lives.”
Contrary to popular belief, Freemasonry is not exclusively for men. Representing their respective groups at the Open House will also be members of their two women’s organizations – the Order of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the Nile, as well as the young girl’s group – Job’s Daughters, and the young boy’s group – the Order of DeMolay.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi proclaimed June 24th Freemasons Day in 2013.
The Bow River Masonic Lodge is located at 330 – 12th Avenue S.W.
Famous Canadian Freemasons
Famous Canadian Freemasons include former prime ministers John Diefenbaker and John A. Macdonald, as well as hockey legend Tim Horton.
Famous Calgarian Freemasons
Well-known Calgarian Freemasons include early pioneer Sam Livingston, Calgary’s first mayor George Murdoch, Alberta’s tenth premier Peter Lougheed, Mount Royal College founder George Kirby and Dr. Neville Lindsay, who was the namesake of Lindsay Park.
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