Preserving Family History

Masonic memorabilia can be an important part of a family's history.

An old lodge photograph may identify relatives and friends. A certificate may show when someone became a Mason. A lodge program can document an important event from decades ago.

If your family has these items, consider setting aside anything that may have historical or sentimental value before deciding what to discard.

What Should Be Kept?

There is no requirement that a family return ordinary personal Masonic memorabilia. If someone in the family wants to keep a Mason's ring, apron, photograph, certificate, or other personal item, it can be kept as a family remembrance.

Some families choose to display these items. Others keep them with other family records and photographs.

There is no single right answer.

What Should Be Returned?

Some materials may belong to a Masonic organization rather than the individual Mason.

Books or other materials marked “Property of Grand Lodge of Ohio” should be brought to Meridian Sun Lodge so they can be properly returned to the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

If you are uncertain about an item, it is better to ask before throwing it away.

We Can Help

Families should not feel that they have to identify, sort, or dispose of Masonic materials on their own.

If you have questions about a loved one's Masonic belongings or membership, contact Meridian Sun Lodge. We can help determine what the items are and what should be done with them.

Our goal is to treat these materials with the same respect given to the Masons and generations of families connected to them.