Evening star., 1924-10-12
FIRST Plan DRAWN
FOR RF.A.A.M. SHRINE
ON TEMPLE HEIGHTS
Group of Six Beautiful Build.
ings Overlooking Wash
ington Projected.
PROPOSALS PRESENTED
BEFORE GRAND LODGE
Will Now Be Taken Up by Vari-
Gus Branches of Order for
Definite Action.

The first detailed plan for the pro-
posed united Masonic Temple that is
to be raised on Temple Heights as
the shrine of Ma sonry in Washington
was presented last night to the
Grand Lodge Of the District Of Co
lumbia- convened in special session
for the express purpose of receiv-
ing the report from a committee Of
prominent architects appointed some
months ago.
Although a mere suggestion, a ten
tative proposal showing what can be
done with the beautiful old Dean
estate, at the conjunction Of Connec-
ticut avenue and Columbia road
which was purchased as the site for
such a temple, the report of the COM
mittee marks another definite step
toward realization of the dream that
has been cherished by Free Masons
for decades
Report Put on File.
The report was submitted by James
Rush Marshall. one of the best known
architects in this country. Frank G.
PierSon. prominent in the well known
firm of Pierson & Wilson, and Percy
l. Balch. we'll known architect in
the service of the Government 1t
was filed and will be taken up with
the various branches Of Masonry for
further action.
The idea suggested by the commit
tee would give to Washington in the
very heart of it's most exclusive resi-
Dental section, one of the most mag
nificent groups of buildings in the
world, each symbolic of one of the
arms of Masonry.
When Mr.. Marshall and Mr.. Pier
son set out, it was generally believed
that some scheme would be worked
out for the construction on Temple
Heights. which was purchased from
the Dean estate for 100000 of one
tremendous building which would be
symbolic of the various branches of
Masonry Just as the Capitol symbol
ICES the arms of the Government, and
perhaps approaching 1t in size.
a, building Group Idea.
The thought OF piling one tre-
mendous building on the site. how
ever was regarded by both men as
far ben tn the dignity of the lovely
wooded hillside. and they conceived
then the plan for group of build
ings, so exquisite in design, so har-
nnonious in plan. and yet. so diverse
in detail that they would command
the attention of the world.
The result is proposed group OF
six buildings. AS the architects
pointed out in their report. 1t may
be necessary little later to re-
group some of the structures. but
the general details would remain in
tact, IL the report is adopted by
Masonry and the suggestion become
the definite plan for Masonry's out
standing shrine in the New World
gazing out upon the National Capital
over an unbroken vista from the
summit Of Temple Heights.
Plnxa in Center.
The six buildings would be con-
structed around beautiful plaza
Approaching them from the front
could be the Scottish Rite hedral,
symbolizing in architecture the rites
of that way; another the Temple
of the Commandery, the home OF the
ancient Knight Temp!ar and OF the
Royal Arch Mason. the latter repre-
sentins those who have passed the
first seven degrees on the road to
the degree of the Rose Croix.
Just across the plaza might rise
first the home of the Order OF the
Eastern Star and next to ii beau
tiful auditorium, which might be
used TO serve other than Masonic
purposes when occasion arose. Be
side the auditorium might be the
home of the Shrine and the various
Masonic clubs represented in this
city.
Home of Blue Lodge.
The sixth building would be the
home of the Blue Lodge. the mother
nd
cupy the commanding position direct
ly at the head of the plaza. From its
front portals would rise a majestic
tower visible from every part of
Washington, beckoning all good
brothers and fellows to the sacred
rites of the fraternity and pointing
in majectic grandeur to that grand
lodge, eternal in the heavens, toward
which all good Masons strive.
In order to properly present their
idea of such an imposing monument
as they visualiZed, monument
worthy in every detail of the brother
hood it may represent in the Nation s
CapitaI, Mr.. Marshall and Mr.. Pierson
realized that they should have a care
full model, made to scale, creating
their dream of the National Masonic
Memorial in miniature. To find a
man capable of executing such mas
terpiece was the hrSt problem In the
way of that achievement
Find Capable Man.
After a careful search. both arch
itects agreed that the one man cap
able of making the model they
| wanted was William Partridge, at
present in the employ of the Govern
ment Mr.. Partridge is recognized
throughout this country and abroad
as a genius at such work and he is
we'll known in Washington. AS a
young man he had his first start in
the architectural rooms of Horn
| blower G. Marshall. of which firm Mr.
Marshall was a partner until it's dis
solution following the death of the
senion member.
It soon became apparent to both
Mr.. Hornblower and Mr.. Marshall
that the young Partridge was a true
genius and they persuaded him to go
to Boston, where 1t would be possible
~t,,dx, ,,aro in hic line of Wnrlx