The Philly Architectural Wonder That’s Hidden in Plain Sight

The Experience

On hour-long guided tours through the massive structure’s seven elegantly adorned meeting halls, knowledgeable guides relay historical anecdotes and offer insights into key architectural details.

And trust us: There are plenty of those to go around.

Here are a few highlights of what you’ll see:

The Archaeologically Inspired Egyptian Hall

Inspired by the raging popularity of archaeology in the 19th century, this room is a museum-quality replica of life in ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics cover the walls and Egyptian columns abound. Look skyward to see a painted ceiling covered with masons’ marks — a stoneworkers’ method for signing his handiwork.

  — Photo courtesy Masonic Temple

The Ancient Greek-Influenced Corinthian Hall

With its 52-foot-high ceilings and seating for 400, this enormous space recreates the feeling of being in an open-air temple in ancient Greece. While skylights have since been covered due to modern maintenance needs, the outdoor illusion persists thanks to large windows on the north wall. Keep an eye out for fresco paintings along the walls and four giant statues of painted ladies at the front of the hall.

The Space-y Ionic Hall

From deep-blue velvet seats, look up to admire a blazing sun surrounded by the 12 symbols of the zodiac intricately painted on the ceiling of this towering hall, which also features impressive, full-length portraits of past Masonic figures.

The Presence of the Founding Fathers

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this Philly landmark — like many others — is dotted with references to the Founding Fathers. Busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin (both masons in their own right) are situated alongside likenesses of Voltaire and Marquis de Lafayette.

A spacious ballroom is home to one of the newer additions to the temple: an 18-foot bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin that was installed in 2017.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Additional Details

Keep your eyes peeled.

Outside of the meeting halls, there’s plenty to see in nearly every corner of this architectural gem, including a grand staircase, intricate stained glass windows and the world’s second-largest collection of sculptures by William Rush (behind only the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts across the street).

While it may be tempting to try to decipher hidden meanings in the many symbols adoring the walls and ceilings, attempts to do so are likely in vain. In most cases, asynchronous themes, objects and languages can be chalked up to simple design choices made more than 150 years ago.

The History

The Masonic Temple was constructed over a period of five years and completed in 1873 to serve as The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. The building was planned by architect James H. Windrim and most rooms were designed in the 1880s by George Herzog (who also designed many rooms in Philadelphia’s City Hall, located just — ahem — a stone’s throw away).

Tracing its history back to 13th-century stoneworker guilds, freemasons are a brotherhood of men with a stated goal of helping each other become better men. While not a religious organization per se, members must acknowledge the existence of a supreme being and be men of “good moral character,” as judged by current members.

  — Photo courtesy Masonic Temple

The building still serves as the meeting place for 28 Philadelphia lodges of the boys’ club. (Women aren’t allowed to join, though there are several affiliated women-only organizations.)

It is also open to the public for guided tours and can be rented out for special occasions like weddings and corporate events.

Admission and Info

Guided tours are one hour in length and are offered on select days of the week. Tours may not be offered on normal days when lodge meetings or special events are happening. Keep an eye on social media for those exceptions.

For more information, including days and hours of operation, click the button below.