Bro. Bureau and Bro. Wendling of Sutherland Lodge #174 F&AM recently visited the Grand Lodge of Florida in Jacksonville. This is an account of their visit:
"We were greeted by the Grand Secretary Richard Lynn with Brotherly Love. Most Worshipful Lyn P.G.M. took us Brothers on a very detailed tour of the Grand Lodge and introduced us to theose behind the scenes to make the Grand Lodge run efficiently.
Being young in our Masonic lives we were in awe of this tri-story Grand Lodge. We started our tour on the main floor where all the magic happens. He showed us the newest addition to the Grand Lodge, their new printer. Which uses a block of colored clay to print and it saved them thousands of dollars in printing costs. As he took us on the tour we met several individuals that make it all possible and put everything together for our own lodges. One of the most amazing things to see was the 'vault'. This is where the lodges minutes and bylaws are kept since the Grand Lodge existed. Just to see the books from the early 1800's (which are not allowed to be touched without gloves) was breathtaking. To see information from our very own Sutherland Lodge No 174 from the 1930's was even more spectacular! They even have the original "books" of course those are locked away in a separate safe. After seeing this magnificent room we went upstairs to the third floor where accounting is done and the area for the Lodge Room is.
On the third floor they have a magnificent library which you must have an appointment to see any of the books. From there we went to the basement which was located in the bomb shelter where the bookstore is and any and all materials or books you wish to order is kept. It was amazing to see how much there acutally was in this room and how very well organized it was. We finished up our tour with the most amazing and breathtaking event. We toured the Grand Lodge musuem. Words cannot describe this two story history, from the pictures of all the past Grand Masters to the memorabilia from the history of Masonry in and around the world.
With all said I have suggested to Worshipful Scott that we rent a 12-15 passenger van and make the day trip to Jacksonville to allow those to experience the Grand Lodge. It is about a 4 hour drive there and with a large group it will take a few hours to tour. So we should plan on making it a full day venture. I will be getting with Worshipful Scott on the price and date." ~ Brothers Micheal G. Bureau and Rick Wendling.
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