Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-02
TIE MAS0NS' TEMPLE.
ER GILBERT J. HUNT TO SUPERlN-
TEND ITS FURTHER CON-
STRUCTiON.
D.scriptlon of the Buiiding and Its Ele-
CANT IodGc-Booms, Banquet Hall,
and Other Apartments.

Mr.. Walter Il. Hicham. who has super
attended the construction of the Masonic
Temple since IL was commenced. has
ro- ,ned his position and Mr.. Gilbert j.
..ni has been chosen 20 succeed him.
Nr. Hunt will enter upon his duties at
onco and work will be pushed Is rapidly
as rossihle.
The structure when completed will be
m clecant home for the Masons and will
ornament the part Of the city in which II
j. located.
CORNERSTONE LAID.
The cornerstone of this mammoth
iailding was laid on Wednesday, Noyem-
t.r 70. 1855. The MasOns had very
crclitablo parade and the ceremonies were
cu.te imposing. Hon. ". {. p. Breckin-
rf1o. the eloquent Kentucky congress
mn. delivered the Grafton Of the occasion.
The walls Of the structure are now par
falls up. The front, up 20 the first floor,
win bo of Anderson brOwnstone, aDd viii
D. ltc handsome.
Nhen completed the building will be
Eve stories In height. with lodge-rooms.
a-m0r.cs. banquet and assembly halls,
etc.. on q generous scale. In the treatment
az the exterior design komanesque pfin-
cIpios OF architecture have been adopted,
lcsu.ng towards that phase distinguishes
~ Inc term of Byzantine. In the appli-
-eti8n Of ornaments brOadness Of features
d.. been sought for eject IN tho develop
m,nt OF the design indicated, as may he
se.n hy tho mGssing OF features, the yolds
ami solids. and the clustering of win
dlw3 and columns.
GROUsD FLOOR.
The appearance of the front of the
rrclna-foor would indicate That u mas
4 " tfrga
Stones. hat In reality tho entire space is 70
iothroWn into one grand retail establish
rqrt. This room is 77xl2i feet and the
c.fiinr is six wards from the floor. At the
vra.. end there is % bc a striking and mas
eivc entrance 20 the grand stairway which
leads 10 the various rooms ana walls
qhe storc-room has already been leased
10 lar,e dry-goods trm IN Washington.
and lr thcir contract they are 10 nave the
u-r of 10 from July lst of next year.
Tho entrance to the grand stair hall,
which forms a porch or portco. indicates
massive stone columns, some OF which are
h. Doe Is. lated. These columns support the
.tair tower. which runs the whole height
of fne building. Parts Of this porch are
g. be very nchly carved with emoleins OF
the order.
THE srNns AND ELEVATOR.
The rnain-stair haI. spacious and well
Trhted. has been arranged so as be as con
Sericnt TO the street as possible. Inc
stairs are wide and Of easy flights, each
story having large and generous landlng
between. There II also large passenger
elevator opening into the hall, which is en-
fralr -urrOunded by masonry, and extend
.l- 60 the upper floor.
GRASD-LoDGE ROOM.
ON the second floor is 10 be the Grand
&c n a
f.r,rr. and the Offices and parlors for the
rrand master, grand secretary. and grand
t-...urrr. which faces on Broad srreet-all
tr4lious. well-hghted. and convenient IN
arraugement. whether for the use oil the
.rf.r or for public entertainments.
The Gnnd-L0dge hall Is 81 by w teet
crIs feet high and with its gallery IS IN
f.r1.I % scat 200 persons There IS
,r.ud foyer or lobby u by IS feet, which
v.II Ls stair hall makes an unusual
breathing and standing place.
Sp,rAl effort has been made Tor the con-
,.,.i,nre of he assemblies. and ali modern
improvements have been utilized 10 serve
the best arrangement possible.
BANQUET HAIL.
On the third floor the entire space has
bon pllnncl for festive gatherings, there
ie,rra BANQUET halI aad three gOod-sized
tlrlIr. facing Broad street. all of which
'qr be thrown together If desired, thus
r4Sing q room "a by ~ feet Connecting
vlth the hauqu~t-r0om are spacious serv-
ing rooms, closets, kitchen department,
tumb-Waitcrs and back stairway. The ban
ruet hall also opens indirectly into the
mmn-st air hall and has a broad stairway To
tao door of the Granl-Lodge room.
LOnGE-EoOMs.
The fourth floor is to be taken mp by the
l.8rc-rooms, tho Royal Arch Chapter, and
another good--ized banquet-rOom. All
thr rooms viii We above the average for
such purposes and are planned with re-
,pnct 10 the comfort and convenience OF
tle order.
ON tho fifth floor are arranged Knights
rcmplnrs armorics and Mystic Shrine ban
ouu-r0ous on a grand scale.
an of these rooms are 10 he heated ana
ventilated by the latest and most ap-
lr0yed system, and when the Temple Is
coupletcd the order of tins State and city
VII be IN possession Of one OF the most
convenient and thoroughly arranged build
inrs for the purpose TO be found IN
America.
TBT AECuITECT.
Mr.. jackson G. Gott. of Baltimore, Is the
architect for the structure. The bAldlng
committed l. composed OF MessTs. A. IL.
Courtney, ". l.. Tanner, and Isaac =.
Tower.
The building is at the southwest corner
q Broad and Adams streets