The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-12-15
MASONS ARE PLEASED
With THE new HOME
Public Invited to Reception That
Will Be Given There This
Evening
From Thursdays caliy.

A. M. will entertain their friends and
the general public tonight by keep
| ing open house in the elegant new
Masonic Temple, corner of Second
and Hickory streets, which was re-
Gently completed and is now nicely
furnished and equipped at an esti-
mated cost of about twenty thousand
dollars.
The building is imposing and de-
signed with artistic simplicity and
elegance, and the interior is thorough
ly in harmony with the exterior de-
sign. From the handsome entrance
on Second street the visitor is ushered
into the spacious reception room
from which carpeted oak stairway
leads to the upper lodge rooms and
ante rooms, and massive doors open
into the club rooms on the lower
floor. The draperies throughout are
of rich materials, and tastefully ar
ranged, and were furnished by the
ladies of the Eastern Star at a cost
of about $3.50. The mems club room
on the lower floor is large and COM
modious room, the walls finished in
brown and with cream colored cell
ings. Tables, couch, and chairs are of
oak, and the furniture is covered
with leather in a beautiful shade of
brown.
Opening off of the Mems club room
is the ladies' parlor, furnished with
handsome chairs and furniture in oak,
leather, and tapestry. The lower hall
is 70X30 feet in dimensions, finished
in dark oak, with brown walls and
cream ceiling, and has one of the fin
est hardwood floors for dancing that
one could find. In the rear of the
temple the kitchen is located, with
the latest and most approved equip
ment, including new gas range,
double serving cupboards, steam dry
er for dishes, and other modern i'm
provements. The lighting and venti-
lating systems are of the latest and
most approved kind, and every de-
tail for the convenience of the Ma
sons, ladies of the Eastern Star, and
possible visitors has been thought
fully planned, and included in the
arrangements. One of the most beau
tiful lodge rooms in the state is To-
Gated on the upper floor. 1t is about
59X40 feet in dimensions, with cream
walls, and oak fixtures, elegant lodge
appointments, chairs and throne. The
organ is out of view in the organ
loft, and an invisible sceen is in
place, which can be displayed when
stereopticon views are shown. The
floor is carpeted with tan and brown
carpeting which blends in nicely with
the oak furniture and cream colored
walls and dome ceiling.
A piano occupies one corner of the
room, and the chairs for officers and
members are ranged on the raised
platform surrounding the large room.
Cove lights hidden under the edges of
the dome ceiling give a most pleas
ing light effect. A patented DINNER
has been installed which makes it
possible 10 dim all lights without
touching them. In addition to the
lodge room several convenient ante
rooms, a smoking room and toilet
rooms, and two story store room
for paraphernalia used in lodge work,
are located on the second floor.
Dedicatory services will take place
tomorrow, and this beautiful new
Masonic temple will be formally dedi-
Gated. Services will be held in the
lodge room at p. M, tomorrow Tor
Master Masons only, and the i'm
pressive ceremonies of dedication will
be observed. At 4:30 p. M, Masons
and their ladies will hold social
hour in the temple, closing with a
banquet served at $50 p. m. TOmor-
row evening at eight o'clock music
al program will be given, followed by
an address by Grand Orator w. John
Boden. The remainder of the even
ing will be spent in dancing, music
to be furnished by Sandon's orches-
ira. Refreshments will be served.