Timeline of the Masonic Lodge being built in 1895 ~By: Noelle Woodcock
Today I thought it would be interesting to see a layout/timeline of the stages in which the old masonic lodge (now the museum) went through from the time the Masons were making the arrangements to erect the building to the finished product. I am going to show you a timeline through newspaper articles reporting on the progress of the building. The articles come from the Bedford Bulletin Newspaper and the Bedford Democrat Newspaper.
• Bedford Democrat Newspaper – dated January 18, 1894
“The Masonic Lodge at this place is making arrangements to erect a new hall, the present one being too small to accommodate the increasing membership. This ancient order is largely on the increase in Bedford.”
• Bedford Democrat Newspaper – dated April 18, 1895
Mr. Buck to Build the Masonic Temple “Monday afternoon E. G. Buck was awarded the contract for building the new Masonic temple. His bid was far below all others. Mr. Buck will begin work at once and expects to have the building ready for occupancy by fall. An outline of the plans for the edifice has been given recently in the DEMOCRAT. The Modoc lot has been “an offence to the landscape” for a long time and this building will be one of the greatest improvements made in the town for a long time.”
• Bedford Bulletin Newspaper – dated May 10, 1895
“The corner stone of the Masonic building on Main St., was laid on Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock. The stone foundation has been about completed and it was left for the Masonic order, represented by the local lodge, to put in place in the northeast corner the stone prepared for the finishing, which was done according to formula. Before the arrival of the lodge, in regalia and in marching order, a goodly crowd, about evenly divided as to sex, has assembled about the place to witness the proceedings. The ceremony over, the Masons returned to their lodge room, leaving the work of the superstructure to the contractor, who will hasten the completion of what will
prove an ornament to the street.”
• Bedford Bulletin Newspaper – dated June 7, 1895
“The Masonic building is going up rapidly. Brick has been laid to the second floor.”
• Bedford Democrat Newspaper – dated June 13, 1895
“Work on the Masonic Temple is progressing rapidly. The building is already an ornament to the
city and when completed will make of the “Modoc” lot the pride of the mystic brotherhood.”
• Bedford Democrat Newspaper – dated July 4, 1895
“The brick work on the Masonic Temple is about complete and the structure is quite impos-
ing.”
• Bedford Bulletin Newspaper – dated September 20, 1895
Nearing Completion. “The Masonic Temple is now beginning to take on the appearance of a
finished building. The third floor, which will be reserved for the lodge room is completed and
about ready for occupancy and a few days more work will do to finish the second. When
completed this will be one of the handsomest buildings in town.”
• Bedford Democrat Newspaper – dated October 3, 1895
“This week Mr. E. G. Buck, the contractor, hands over the Masons the beautiful new temple,
completed, and filling in all particulars the specifications, the corner stone of which was laid
May 6th. The location so long an eye sore of the old Modoc, is now crowned with a building
that is an ornament to the town, handsome and well proportioned “a thing of beauty.” It is
constructed of brick with trimmings of Powhatan buff brick. The front entrance is arched with
purple stone, quarried in Nelson county. The capitals surmounting the pillars are of hand cut
Indiana lime stone. The curve bow windows are similarly adorned, giving to the front a very
fine effect. The main door opens into a vestibule leading into a hall upon which there are six
offices beautifully finished, commodious rooms. The stairway leading to the second floor is
broad and easy of ascent. Upon this floor there are seven rooms, equally as good, and pos-
sessing the advantage of commanding pretty vistas of landscape. The third floor contains the
reception room and hall for the Masonic fraternity. The latter is very large and handsome.
One of the most notable things about the building is the beautiful wood work, which is of
heart pine furnished by the Guilford Manufacturing Company Greensboro, N. C., and the coats
of varnish bring out the grain of the wood and give it a fine effect. The building will be fur-
nished with electric lights and all other appliances for convenience and comfort. The Lodge
will hold their first meeting in these elegant apartments October 14, but as they are somewhat
exclusive in their entertainments the general public are not expected to attend.”