Collection: Warrington Museum of Freemasonry

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  Warrington Museum of Freemasonry was founded in 2010 by Vic Charlesworth and Ken Garner with support from the late Ian Boswell who was the Group Chair at the time and who later became an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

  It began as a small cupboard on a stairway with a variety of objects displayed in it. Advice was sort from Michelle Hill of Warrington Museum and Art Gallery and 2 desk types, and one glass cabinet were borrowed from them, this allowed improved display of the objects. Lodges were encouraged to donate items to the museum for display. In 2014 a Constitution was written a board of Trustees formed, and a business plan formulated. The museum had by now moved into a committee room which shortly thereafter became the main area for the Museum.

  In January 2016, the Museum obtained charitable status from the Charities Commission. In late 2016 an application was made to the Arts Council for working towards accreditation status, which was granted in 2017. In 2021 we were allowed to extend the Museum further and have acquired further desk type cabinets allowing us to highlight more of our objects.

  The Lodges and individual members of Warrington and the wider area continue to support the development of the Museum with the donation or loan of items. Through open days, our website and as part of Culture Warrington and the Museums of Cheshire Group The museum profile has been raised and members of the public are now contributing to the museum by bringing along their objects as donations or loans. In association with the Museum of Freemasonry in Great Queen Street, we now have a collection on Loan from one of the earliest Lodges in existence.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  The current collection comprises of approximately

  • 1700 masonic jewels (medals)
  • 100 items of regalia, from various orders including Craft, Royal Arch and Mark, these are made of a variety of textiles including, leather, silk, and plastic
  • Some 75 commemorative items made of ceramic and metal
  • 10 noteworthy items of ceramics and glassware
  • The Frank Starkey Collection of books regalia, jewels, and archive material
  • 20 masonic items, gavels trowels, working tools, charity boxes
  • 15 items of commemorative silverware
  • 20 items of Masonic memorabilia from overseas
  • We have digital images of all our objects, photographs, and some minute books

  These items tell the story of the development of Freemasonry, not only in the local area but also nationally and internationally, which are key aims of the museum. We do have a collection of travelling regalia, which is not accessioned.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2024

  Licence: CC BY-NC