Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-18
Of the New Masonic Hall
at Skowhegan.
Organ Recital and Reception TO
Be Given This Evening.
Description Of the Handsome New
Quarters Just Occupied.

After four months of preparation the
new home of the several Masonic podies
in Skowheean is ready for occupancy
and was dedicated with Impressive GER
emony last night. The hall and the
several rooms connected herewith IRE
located on the second and third floors
OF the block on Water street, recently
completed by Fred c. Dunlap.
Access to the second floor is gained
from the entrance on Water street
which will be used in common with the
Masons by the Maine Telephone Co,
which occupies the front half Of this
floor The rear half is occupied by the
MasOnS where is located their banquet
hall and kitchen.
The banquet hall is furnished in
brown ash and the floor is OF hard
wood. The walls are tinted in light
shades and it is lighted by 16 incandcs-
cent electric lights set in the ceiling.
There are II tables. so made That they
may be folded and stored in the serv-
int: room should it ever be desired to
hold social entertainments in the room.
The chairs are Of Il handsome design
ana comfortable. This room is 34Xao
feet. 1t has a seating capacity OF l3'.
At the north end of the banquet hall
Is the kitchen and serving room. This
Is 10 feet and "a feet wide. The floor
is the same as that of the banquet hail
and the finish is of brown ash. 1t is
equipped with range, there is tank
for hot water as well as closets and
drawers. for the table linen, silverwarc
and dishes. These latter were made
in England to order and are of the best
quality of English ware. Each piece
has the emblem of the order. the square
and compass. All of the linen and
silver is new. The kitchen and serving
room are well arranged. The dining
tables were manufactured by b. \.
Sawyer and especially adapted for 4
banquet hall of this kind.
The entire third floor of the block
will be used by the MasOns. A flight Of
wide easy stairs lands one in a hail
way which is finished in elm. POLISHED.
ON the Water street front IS located
the coat and smoking room. This is
finished in elm. the walls are q light
tint of blue and the floor of hard wood.
There are two large mirrors of French
plate glass and in one corner is q mod
ern coat rack with a capacity of 20
garments. The chairs are what is
known as the Daniel Webster pattern
and are very comfortable. A fine view
of Wafer street and parts of the south
side of the river may be obtained from
the windows and the room is bound to
become popular lounging place with
members of the lodge while waiting for
the meetings to be opened. Between
the landing and the smoking room ia
I,A oil iah too
with exposed plumbing and all the
latest fixtures. All the rooms are
heated by steam.
II the rear of the building is located
the main hall, wide. well lighted
hallway running to the principal en-
trance from the smoking room. 1t is no
exaggeration I" state that no hall in
Maine devoted to the us" of the Ma
sons is more handsome than this.
This hall is 80 feet long and 81 feet
wide 1t is IL feet posted. The walls
are frescoed in Il light tint with an
ivory white relief. The ceiling is If
steel OF a very handsome pattern. In
it are i6S electric lights. 100 white and
Is red These are controlled from IL
marble switch board located ut the left
of the main entrance and which has
Is switches.
The furniture is of solid mahogany.
upholstered in green plush. There arc
setteeS arranged along the two sides
of the wall and counting at the vari-
GUS stations. 4 total of 20 chairs Of the
same material The seating capacity
of the lodge room is 100 The desk of
the secretary is also of mahogany.
At the left Of the entrance is the pipe
organ 1t was made to order by the Es-
tey Organ Co. of Brattleboro. Vt. and is
one of the best Instruments of its class
manufactured. 1t has detached console
Or playing desk at which the player may
sit facing the audience and thus he able
10 witness whatever work may he in pro-
.ress on the floor 1t is what is known
US a tabular pneumatic organ and is COM
posed Of iSS pipes. Power is supplied by
IN electric motor. Since it has been rlac-
ed in position n number of organists who
have listened to some of the finest in
struments in New England have heard
{ and all say that its tone will compare
with the best in the East 1t is a mag
",iiccnt instrument and its beautiful ca
'ence will be brought out to its greatest
vtent at the recital to be held on this
vening. when it will be played by a Bos-
on professional sent here for that pur-
use by the manufacturers.
At the three raised stations Of the off
rrs are pedestals OF mahogany. the ar
ltccture of which are Ionic Corinthian
nd Doric. These are surmounted hv sta
IN lights Of brass of handsome design
30 the left of the worshpful master is
-" desk Of the secretary. to the right
the lecture of the prelate. all of ma
'sany The chairs Of these officials are
ost imposing
The 1oor OF this hall is covered with a
'rpet of body Brussels of a red shade
handsome pattern. At the four corners
the hall under the slightly raised plat
rms are electrical devices where NAV
attached fans. These will be used in
q summer for cooling the hall. The VEN
''ation is we'll nigh perfect and is OBJ
ned from six windows in the walls OF
zee sides Of the hall. located near ,he
Hing. 1t will be possible to omen thes.,
. the coolest weather Of the winter when
is desired to change the air in the hall
4