Museum of Freemasonry

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES DECEMBER🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in December?

Monday 8 December
Wednesday 10 December

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/4gaS1Lw

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES NOVEMBER🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in November?

Monday 3 November
Wednesday 5 November
Wednesday 12 November
Thursday 13 November
Tuesday 18 November

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/3VwI56Q

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES OCTOBER🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in October?

Saturday 4 October
Thursday 9 October
Tuesday 28 October

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/4fdQ0gk

In 1824, John Buckley, a cotton spinner, received this jug as a token of appreciation from his Lodge members. He'd been a member of Lodge of Probity in Halifax, Yorkshire for over twenty years at the time of the presentation.

Made of Staffordshire blue and purple lusterware, the jug features hand-coloured transfer prints with a masonic emblem repeated on both sides and a charming verse praising freemasonry. The shimmering effect or lustre created by painting with powdered metal paints was popular among 19th Century Staffordshire potteries.

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES SEPTEMBER🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in September?

Tuesday 9 September
Wednesday 10 September
Wednesday 24 September

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/4iByrtx

This cream-glazed earthenware jug, adorned with a vibrant floral design, is inscribed to Andrew Mason, likely a mariner initiated into St John’s Lodge in Sunderland in 1812.

Sunderland, a hub for pottery manufacturing, exported around 300,000 earthenware items during its peak, with materials transported as ship ballast from southern England.

The latest in our 'Potted Histories' series is this Liverpool creamware jug featuring a personal dedication to Brother Thomas Hanscomb, a tallow chandler and soap maker from Lambeth.

As the inaugural Worshipful Master of Prince Edward’s Lodge in 1792 and later Grand Sword Bearer, Hanscomb's jug showcases transfer designs for Royal Arch and Knights Templar ceremonies, including a banner with text reading 'it is found' and a masonic Kinight Templar star.

Discover our other 'Potted Histories' in our South Gallery and on our website 👉 https://buff.ly/3QrpaqZ

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES JULY🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in July?

Tuesday 1 July
From 2pm Thursday 3 July
Wednesday 2 July
Thursday 10 July

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/4iuyg35

Beneath the handle of this transfer-print jug from the Herculaneum Pottery in Toxteth lies a dedication to Liverpool Anti-Slavery campaigner William Roscoe.

Though not a Freemason, Roscoe's friend Richard Downward, a member of Merchant’s Lodge, supported his 1806 parliamentary campaign.

The jug's Masonic emblems highlight the friends' shared charitable and moral aims, summarised as "United for the benefit of Mankind."

Explore the rest of our 'Potted Histories' on our website 👉 https://buff.ly/3X8PyJU

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES JUNE🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in June?

Tuesday 10 June
Wednesday 11 June
Friday 13 June
Wednesday 25 June

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/3VEvFcX

This white ceramic Rockingham jug includes an inscription to Joseph Eames, a coach master initiated into St George’s Lodge of Unanimity and Fidelity in Petersfield in 1823.

The purple transferware design depicts a Freemason standing at a temple entrance, encircled by a moral message - 'A mason's chief and only care is how to live within the square'

"Rockingham" refers to the ornate earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain produced in Swinton, South Yorkshire.

🚨MUSEUM CLOSURE DATES MAY🚨

Planning a visit to the museum in May?

Thursday 1 May
Thursday 8 May
Tuesday 13 May
Wednesday 21 May

Due to events in Freemasons' Hall, we'll be closed to the public on the above dates, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

We'll be open for research visits Tues-Fri, but you'll need to visit our website to book your spot in advance to guarantee entry 👉 https://buff.ly/3ORS82A