Open Monday through Thursday by appointment only at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please call 319-365-1438 for an appointment, or email bill.kreuger@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 into the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863 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 weapons and pottery, tiny perfume vials, woodcarvings, shells and doctor’s tools. The museum’s oldest artifact is a small clay tablet marked with wedge shapes, dating to biblical times. The small gallery contains a collection of fine china, 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.
The Cedar Rapids area is well known for the plentiful arts and culture in the area. Local galleries and museums are filled with art available for your viewing pleasure.
