Masonic Heritage Family Day at OSV

The Masonic Leadership Institute's team, "The Pillars," will hold its first annual Masonic Heritage Family Day at Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday, May 19, 2012, with special programs and discounts for Freemasons and their guests. To celebrate the contributions of Freemasonry to local history, a dramatization of famous New England Freemasons will be presented, including portrayals of Patriot activist Paul Revere, physician Joseph Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and Henry Price, a merchant and tailor who chartered the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

In addition, early 19th-century Masonic jewelry and other period artifacts will be on display in the Salem Towne House at Old Sturbridge Village, courtesy of the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 1975 the Scottish Rite Freemasons opened the National Heritage Museum as a bicentennial gift to the country. OSV's Towne House was built in 1796 for a Mason, Salem Towne, who was a progressive farmer and businessman, and he used his home's upstairs ballroom for Masonic meetings until 1806. Probably reflecting its initial use for Masonic rituals, the room has striking original landscape murals on the walls, and the familiar "all-seeing eye" painted on the ceiling.

Masons who present their dues card on Masonic Heritage Family Day at Old Sturbridge Village will get $9 off adult admission (a 38 percent discount; limit two per card), and a 10 percent discount at the museum gift shop. Admission for youths ages 3-17 is $8 and children age two and under are free.

For all times and details, contact: Christopher LaPierre, 774-230-5500, or clapierre@massfreemasonry.net.