Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-01-22
THEIR NEW TEMPLE.


quarters of a million of dollars a Masonic
Hall is about to be erected in Philadelphia,
saws the North american. The foundation
will be begun in few weeks. The To-
cation is Broad and FIlbert streets, and the
plans for the structure have been fully ac-
ceptcd by the Grand Lodge. For nearly
a year past plans have been invited, and
the committee in charge have examined
many sent from all sections of the country.
The successful competitor is Mr.. J. H.
Windrin, who has agreed to so far pre-
gress with the work that on st. Johns day
next, June oath, the corner stone shall be
laid BY the Order.
The lot is a veryslarge one, $50 by 250
feet in area, and the new temple is to COW
er the whole of it. The present temple
has outlived its usefulness, and is terribly
defective in what is indispensable in a
building Of the kind-ventilation 1t was
dedicated in 1855.
We have received a description of the
new building, as thus: 1t is to be of gran
ite. and in the Norman style, the massive
character of this order of architecture, how
ever, being well relieved by the arrange
ment Of the towers, buttresses, balconies,
balustrades and graceful pinnacels, which
form part of the design. The four sides
of the building will be of granite, the only
difference in the design being in the front
on Broad street, which will present one of
the most magnificent features Of this grand
thoroughfare. The building will he three
hn CT
will present two towers, one at each corn
er. the intervening space being composed
of a handsome portico, running to the Sec
ond story, and above which will be two
inches for statues Zone of SiIence,) the
whole surmounted at the apex Of the roof
with a small tower, at the summit of which
will be statue of Charity. On the face
of this main front, in addition to the orna-
mental windows, will be lin relief en-
blems of the Order-the square and com
pass, &c.
The tower at the southwest corner Of
the building will be the great feature. 1t
will be 800 feet from the ground to the
top of the spire, or l04 feet higher than
Christ Church steeple. The four corners
of this tower will be surmounted by pima
cles, while the bultresses extending up a
considerable distance, the balconies at the
windows and the halustrades and general
ornamentatiOn of this portion of the struc-
ture will add greatly to the beauty of the
whole design. The tower, although SEEM
ingly connected with the main building
will be constructed separate, in order to
insure greater security. A solid tounda-
ton of fifteen feet will form the base upon
which it will rest. The tower a: the north
east Garner of the front will be much less
in height, but will contain in its ornamen-
tation the same general features. The re-
naming three sides of the building will be
relieved bv buttresses between the win
dows, and the whole effect of the exterior
will be at once massive and graceful. The
portico at the front being 20 feet IN ad-
vance of the line of the building, will still
further add to the beauty of the design.
On the first floor, raised eight feet from
the ground. ball twenty feet in width will
run the entire length of the building from
east to west and from this will start two
stairwavs. which it is asserted will exceed
in magnificence anything of the kind in
the United States. Under the northwest
tower will be the office of the Grand Mas,
ter, and in the rear of this will be the
grand banqueting room, with kitchen, store
rooms, pantries, DC, attached. The BAN
quoting room will be los feet by 55 feet,
and will be fitted up in a style to corre-
spond with the character of the building.
On the other side of the hall, and in front
on Broad street. will be the office of the
Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer,
and iD the rear of these will be the library
and committee rooms. The second story,
or principal floor, will contain the GRAND
Lodge room, three rooms for Blue Lodges,
one Grand Chapter room and the retiring
rooms required for the transaction of the
business.
The Grand Lodge Room will be los
fe ct by SO feet inches, aud in the deco.
ration and furnishing of this apartment the
prevailing color will be blue relieved by
gold, and the intention is to make it one
of the most magnificent rooms IN the would
The rooms for the Blne Lodges will each
be 80 by 43 feet, and handsomely decorat
ed The Grand Chapter Room will be 81
by SO feet. ParIors fronting on Broad-st
for the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter
will adjoin the rooms set apart for the
meeting of these bodies. The third story
will contain rooms for the Encampment
and other purposes, and all will be fitted
up in magnificent style.
The building throughout will be fire
proof, iron girders being used at all the
stories, and other precautions are being
adopted to guard against the destruction
of the edifce. Ventilation of the most
ample kind has been provided, the steam
apparatus to be used for heating the bu Id
ing being also designed to drive fan to
keep up circulation of fresh air in all of
the rooms. Provision has also been made
for bountiful supply of water at every
story. The entire building will be devoted
to Masonic purposes, and there will be no
residence connected with the hall, as here
tofore.