Ever wondered what, exactly, was inside the imposing Mount Hermon Masonic Lodge on Broadway in downtown Asheville? Well, Mountain Xpress was there on Saturday, Aug. 16, when the lodge threw its doors open and invited the public in to help it celebrate its 160th birthday at a well-attended fundraiser.
The rare look inside the massive building, designed by well-known architect Richard Sharp Smith (the man who supervised the construction of the Biltmore House), revealed a welcoming building marked by the mementos, unique meeting rooms and tributes to generations of local Freemasons. The event raised money for an orphanage and a retirement home.
Chamber music and friendly greeters welcomed guests, who took in a buffet dinner and bluegrass music. There was a library, history-filled halls with dozens of photos of past dignitaries, a blue-carpeted room for general gatherings and a Scottish Rite Cathedral on the third floor (with fourth-floor balcony.) The theater is the place where masons, obtaining degrees, act out important steps in moral progress before combinations of hand-painted backdrops dating back to 1915.
Lodge members are working on a plan to offer the building as a community event-and-performance space. For the time being, have a look inside by clicking on the photo to view an audio-slideshow tour of the building.
— Jason Sandford, multimedia editor
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VERY nice! Always wondered what was in there. ;-) My dad was a Mason and visited that Lodge but I never joined. |
Aug 20, 2008 at 09:17 PM |
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I wish I could have attended myself and was disappointed I couldn’t. I heard they had a beautiful stage setting in there with an authentic 1800’s backdrop system. Thanks so much for the great photo gallery! |
Aug 21, 2008 at 02:46 AM |
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Very nice to see the inside, I always wondered too. Good article, thanks! |
cwaster Aug 21, 2008 |
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Thanks for the feature. I have been a Mason for many years now. Although I am aged and retired, I fondly remember many an evening in that building. You see I am a 32nd Degree Mason. Hallowed halls echo with the sweet memories of wonderful company. |
Al Cottingham Aug 22, 2008 |
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Al, did you used to work at Southern Bell on O’Henry? |
Aug 22, 2008 |
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I would like to personally thank all of the people who were able to come and visit our lodge on August 16th. If plans come together we will be opening up the lodge again again this December for another open house. |
Bill Boeheim Aug 24, 2008 |
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If you want to know the truth about Masonry that even most lower level Masons don’t know because they are compartmentalized, read their “bible” Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike. On page 321 he makes it clear who their god is:
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Aug 26, 2008 at 09:28 AM |
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Do you realize that the Shriners are a major branch of the Masonic order? Come on Moontime when was “Morals and Dogma” written and how do you get off labeling it as our “Bible”. We all are given a real Bible when we are made a master mason and it is instilled to us to be our rule and guide to our faith. What do you know other than the BS that you have found through a internet search? Have you worn the shoes of a Mason? No? Than I ask you, try not to judge us as if you know who we are and what we do. |
Bill Boeheim Aug 26, 2008 |
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So great! Its a very pretty place!
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Rev. Jason Davis Aug 27, 2008 |
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Dearest Moontime ,
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Bill Boeheim Aug 27, 2008 |
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You did an awesome job on the article and description of the Temple.
Don’t be shy… Ask a Mason. |
Pastor Traci Hoglen Aug 28, 2008 |
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Like I said, compartmentalized. I’m sure most of you are good people.
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Sep 14, 2008 at 05:25 AM |
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Dear Moontime,
Speaking from the top
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emmanuel118 Sep 25, 2008 |
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I feel masons are people that lived the upright standards of the Most High God.Please stop critizing, critics!if you don’t know, ask, and you will get the true picture.Iam asking masons in tis room to connect me with a lodge, so that i can join, and be a |
Derrick Tamba Oct 24, 2008 |






