Iowa Masonic Library & Museum, Grand Lodge of Iowa

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Mapped location of Iowa Masonic Library & Museum, Grand Lodge of Iowa

Iowa Masonic Library & Museum, Grand Lodge of Iowa

813 First Ave SE, PO Box 279
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406
(319) 365-1438
Fax: (319) 365-1439

Overview

Open Monday through Friday by appointment only. Please call 319-365-1438 for an appointment, or email librarian@gl-iowa.org.

Housed in a gleaming white marble structure, the library is recognized as the most complete Masonic library in the world.
The museum also has three main collections on display:

The Masonic gallery contains an original Grant Wood painting, titled “First Three Degrees of Free Masonry.” It also includes Civil War flag, carried by an Iowa regiment, along with Masonic pins and regalia, swords, and a piece of stone from the original White House.

The non-Masonic gallery contains: Asian armor and shoes, Native American artifacts, and natural history specimens. The museum’s oldest artifacts are small clay tablets marked with wedge shapes, dating to biblical times.
The small gallery contains a collection of fine pottery, jewelry and decorative arts donated by the Swab sisters. Part of a wealthy Cedar Rapids family, they traveled the world amassing their collection, later donating it to make sure it stayed intact.

Amenities

  • Meeting Space
  • Open Monday

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