JA Brown Masonic Museum is situated within the Ramsey Masonic Centre
The Lieutenant Governor has cut the ribbon on a new museum celebrating the long history of Freemasonry on the Island.
With cabinets displaying artifacts, it mirrors one set up by Freemasons 100 years ago which fell into disrepair and the artifacts subsequently 'scattered' amongst masonic halls and private houses all over the Isle of Man.
The exhibits record the social changes brought about by some of the Island's prominent masons such as the first Douglas town clerk T H Nesbitt (1858 – 1934) and Rev Ernest Stenning who served as the Archdeacon of Man (1958–1964), and was a renowned science teacher at King William's College, and a dedicated steward for the TT and Manx Grand Prix races.
Mr Peters says: “It has taken a great deal of effort by myself and a team of local masons. The greatest impetus came from the late Ed Mullan who was keen to see the island’s masonic memorabilia preserved and displayed.”
He explains what he wants people to get from it:
Officially opened by Sir John Lorimer at a gala dinner in Ramsey on Wednesday evening (8 April), the museum will be open to the public this summer.
The event was hosted by heads of the local men’s and women’s Freemasons Michael Shimmin and Caroline Craige who welcomed Sir John and Lady Lorimer to the sell-out event.
Entertainment was provided by musician Toby Higgins and the menu was almost identical to one in 1926 when the first museum was opened.
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