Freemasons Hall Of Edmonton, Edmonton

The Freemasons Hall is a historic building constructed to accommodate the growing needs of the Edmonton Masonic Lodges in the early 20th century. The design of the structure was entrusted to William Blakey, a prominent architect and member of Ivanhoe Lodge No. 142. The cornerstone was ceremoniously laid with Masonic honors by MWBro S.M. Snedden on November 1, 1930. Coins, copies of the Edmonton Journal, and various Masonic memorabilia were placed in the cornerstone's cavity, which remains visible and legible near the building's southwest corner.

The Freemasons Hall is a four-storey building constructed from steel and concrete, with a facade of brick and artificial stone made from crushed stone combined with cement and sand. It features two identical entrances: the right entrance provides public access to the cloakroom and main floor auditorium, designed from the start to generate revenue, while the left entrance is reserved for Masonic use. Both entrances are adorned with double oak doors and bronze lock plates, with Masonic emblems displayed on the inner plates.

Architecturally, the exterior of the building follows a Gothic design, complete with piers, buttresses, and turrets that lend it a quasi-medieval appearance. The main attraction within the building is on the third floor, which houses two main Lodge rooms in a two-storey open beam ceiling unit. The larger Lodge room is richly decorated with oak paneling, furniture, and intricate canopies above the Master’s and Senior Warden’s stations. The smaller Lodge room features similar design elements but is made of mahogany, giving it a darker ambiance. This room is also adorned with three stained glass windows that display symbols of the Craft degrees of Freemasonry.