September 18, 2017 at 3:35 p.m.
Masons to host Rhinelander Roots Celebration Oct. 6, 7
Event will spotlight historic civic clubs and show off remodeled lodge
Masons to host Rhinelander Roots Celebration Oct. 6, 7
The 2017 Rhinelander Roots Celebration, set for Oct. 6 and 7, will also offer the Masons an opportunity to show off the recent renovations to the historic Masonic Temple on Davenport Street.
The event is billed as an opportunity to celebrate and share the history of Rhinelander.
Tony Jones, senior warden of Lodge 242, addressed the Rhinelander City Council Sept. 11 to explain the club's plans for the event.
"The Masonic Lodge in Rhinelander has a long and storied history. We received our charter first from the Grand Lodge in Madison in March of 1889, and the permanent lodge, which I'm sure you all know, was completed in 1930," Jones said. "In the past, this Masonic Temple has been a center of city functions and activities. We are currently the oldest continually operating, continuously functioning civic group in the city of Rhinelander."
He noted that many of the founding civic and business leaders of the city were active in Lodge 242 over the years, with close to 1,000 men achieving the rank of Master Mason since 1889. They came from all walks of life, he noted.
"Once they achieved that rank of Master Mason, they became brothers," he explained.
At one time the lodge was the site of many dances and other social functions, but as membership dwindled, they became a thing of the past, he added.
"But that has changed," he said. "In the last few months, our active brothers have been in a massive remodel of this Masonic Lodge. Repainting, recarpeting, relaying the floor in the basement, opening up the stage that has long since been closed over. It is a very, very spectacular renovation and we look forward to sharing it with you, the public."
He noted the Masons are planning to invite other civic or fraternal organizations to show off their history at the event.
"What we are looking for is activities, we're looking for participation from civic groups that have spanned the history of this town," Jones said. "If there is anybody out there that belongs to a civic group, I will get you my information today. We are looking for active civic groups, Kiwanis, Rotary, any of them. But we are also specifically looking for groups that are no longer in existence."
He said anyone who may have had a grandparent or great-grandparent who was a member of a civic groups and has access to photographs or oral history of their activities should contact him or the lodge.
"We will make available tables for those groups in the basement of our lodge. It's kind of like a job fair, so they can come and take questions from the public," Jones said. "These were the groups that made this city the hub that it is today. It's not going to be a recruiting episode, it's not going to be anything like that. It's simply a historic information event for everybody to enjoy."
Jones said the doors to the lodge will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment from the new stage in the basement. The general public is welcome to come and tour the building.
Saturday's festivities will begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and tours of the lodge will continue through 4 p.m.
All of the events will be free of charge, but free will donations will be accepted that will benefit the lodge's scholarship program.
"The public is welcome to come and tour the building and see the grandeur inside that brick building that just sits there, quietly," Jones said.
He did note that, due to its age, both entrances to the lodge can only be reached by steps and are not wheelchair accessible.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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