The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania

If you’ve ever roamed Center City, you have definitely walked past it. Next time, go inside.
Masonry is an elusive (and sometimes shady) institution, but it has tremendous historical significance. The Masonic Temple has intricately ornate architecture, with each room uniquely decorated with stunning beauty. The tours are run by masons themselves, and while certain details are swept over, they are knowledgable and are willing to answer most questions.
It’s not the most action-​packed tour ever, but if you live in Philadelphia and have an appreciation for architecture, beauty, and history, this is a must see.
Time to expand our knowledge of freemasonry beyond what we learned from Homer Simpson and the Stonecutters!

I have taken the tour of this building 5 times. And each time I have found something in a room that I haven’t seen before.
The staff was very polite and knowledgeable. Although some things he couldn’t talk about, for the most part he answered most of everyone’s questions.
Seeing George Washington’s Apron was quite a site. And to see the photos showing it being built in stages and how city hall was yet to be built was great.
If you are looking to see a piece of American history and a rather beautiful building I suggest taking this tour.

Beautiful architecture, incredible history, and friendly tour guides. Definitely worth taking an hour or two to explore this place

This is a great tour by any standard. Cost of admission is now $ 10 per adult but well worth it. The tours are conducted very professionally (big ups for Seamus!).
The scale, decoration and mystery of the Masons makes this a must see for adults. I dont think it would be worth taking children

Well during our visit last year we didn’t get a chance to go in but from the outside the architecture of this building is incredible. It’s amazing to me that we as a people use to build such wonders and now it’s just plain and boring.

A very cool tour to do in Philly! It takes about an hour. The building itself is super cool, my tour guide was decent.

This was one of the coolest things i saw while on a trip to philadelphia. I highly recommend taking the tour which is under an hour long. There are so many different rooms, all with awesome architecture. Learning about Free Masonry and it’s history was also really interesting.

The architecture in this building is breathtaking. You just walk around and say wow! My daughter had her wedding ceremony in the Corinthian Room in August 2012. Our guests are still raving about the elegance. If you live in and around Philadelphia, you MUST take a tour. If you are a Tourist-don’t miss it!!! Just be sure they are not closed for a wedding before you get there. They don’t do alot of them yet, but if you choose it as a wedding venue, the staff is fantastic to help in any way, but they do have their rules and of course need to protect their building. Amazing place, thanks to the Masons’ incredible workmanship!

This is a great place and if you live anywhere near Philadelphia, you should go. I went in April and didn’t think of reviewing it until the other day after I watched a movie of THE MAGIC FLUTE. That got me started on Masons. Masons strike me as a little odd. I have to admit this is something I don’t get.
The building itself is a kind of architectural fantasy land. It reminded me, in a way, of the Temple of Learning in Pittsburgh. That’s another great place with rooms that are supposed reflect the cultures of different countries. The Masons have gone in for a kind fantasy reconstruction of history. I loved the Egyptian room ! I would — I love the movie THE MUMMY with Boris Karloff as Imhotep.
I made up my mind to be polite and say nothing bad about Masons. But I had the feeling the guide saw through me. Go ! You won’t regret it.

I really enjoyed visiting the Grand Lodge. It’s very interesting from both an historical perspective and an interior design perspective. Our guide on a quiet Friday afternoon was Sheamus, a very young and very eager Free Mason. He answered all the groups’ questions and really made the tour very informative and personable beyond the rather dry pre-​recorded messages in each room. Before coming here all I knew of the Free Masons was over hyped History Channel specials. Glad I went, and recommend this for adults who appreciate history, interior design/​architecture, and beautiful woodwork and craftsmanship.

It’s $ 8 for the tour and $ 3 for the museum. Go when it’s not busy like my friend and I did. We went on a Wednesday afternoon and there were almost no other people in the building barring the receptionist and a few Masons in the library and at the museum desk.
Neither my friend nor I were stupid enough to ask dumb questions about the Da Vinci code and our guide loosened up and answered anything we asked. There was a recorded blurb at the beginning of each Hall (all 7,) and certain interesting areas outside of the Halls like the Grand Stairway and the Benjamin Franklin Room where the tour began. The building is magnificent and has many significant architectural features. I particularly liked the glassed in ceiling that used to be open but now has stars painted where the florescent light above shows through. This building has many many lights which are not switched on until the lodges come in to use the building for their meetings at night.
My Grandfather was a Mason and I wish he could have seen this place. I sent my Mom a folder card that contained pictures of all 7 Halls; I knew she would really appreciate now beautiful the building is. To correct Anna M’s review, many Masons are not rich although I am sure many are white. And although there are many religious references and symbols the Masons aren’t exclusive. The association is mainly dedicated to furthering the community through networking the way they did before the internet, locally and through businesses. And as my Grandmother told my Mother when she asked, they are more like institution committees than a mysterious cult. The Masons are as secretive as an old church from the 1800’s. Many of the Halls actually look like some of the churches in New England (like the Gothic Hall and the Nordic Hall.)
If you like architecture and enjoy history you’ve found a gem in this building. The museum is small but packed with history and interesting artifacts. The gift shop is small but also similarly packed with cool things to buy for a Mason, kid or anyone else you could think of. They have some gorgeous enameled boxes that are made into animals that are relatively affordable considering what they are. I only wished I’d gotten my Mom a DVD of the tour of this building for only $ 11.
I wouldn’t consider the price of this tour as expensive considering that the Temple has more to look at than many museums. The Halls are constantly in need of work because the building is so old and the materials that the Halls are made of is mainly wood and plaster. The building is so old that the original lighting consisted of gas chandeliers and lights. Everything was switched over to electricity but many of the fixtures were adapted. The small details that our guide told us about the floors and stairs and rooms on the top floor and the basement was interesting and held our attention. Both my friend and I agreed it was well worth the price and time to come and be dazzled by the history and the Halls.

First, I’ve gotta say that the whole concept of Freemasonry is kind of foreign and a little sketchy for me. It kind of seems like a giant, not-​quite-​a-​cult-​but-​not-​transparent-​whatsoever, fraternity for guys who are way too old to be in one. And I come from a land where fraternities don’t really exist and are actually kind of looked down upon, so …
But, in spite of that, this place is definitely worth a visit! The architecture is absolutely STUNNING — you start in the library/​museum, which is already pretty cosy, and then you’re led into this vast hall with giant doors that have seriously stood the test of time. The real hallmarks of the tour, though, are the rooms that you’re led through. These rooms are all based on different styles from throughout history, and my favourite is the Oriental Room, which is actually based on a Moorish design (go figure, eh?)
My tour guide also brought up the history of the Freemasons, and did so without any holier-​than-​thou attitude — in fact, he made fun of a lot of the rituals and the stereotypes, and even of the building itself! It kind of demystified the organization for us, and even though I still wouldn’t join, my attitudes about them have been neutralized =]
Make sure to bring your camera — it’s like taking an architectural tour of the world in just one hour. I personally didn’t feel rushed, but there is a lot to get through so try to go early before the huge groups (that ask a lot of questions!) arrive.

Took a tour today at the Masonic Temple and I’m quite impressed what the Grand Lodge has to offer. I’m awe-​struck with all the different themed rooms inside the lodge. My favorite is the Egyptian room.
One thing I was not happy about the tour is that the tour guide kinda rushed the whole thing. Seems like he just wants to brief through the tour and get it over with. Wish he would have slowed down a bit and let us take in all the rooms without rushing us around.

The Masonic Temple is, without question, a one of kind architectural wonder in the heart of modern Philadelphia. From the outside it very much resembles an old stone cathedral… so much so that you’d almost mistake it for one at first glance. And while it bears certain similarities, however, once you step inside you’ll come to realize that this building is a portal to another time and place. One that, I imagine, is still alive for those men who chose the life of a Freemason.
While not being a Mason myself I have known a few throughout my life and have always been impressed by these men and their dedication to improvement of self and community. Their activities in these areas appear to be directed by an enlightened philosophy that has been passed down and practiced throughout the centuries. So while the design of the rooms within reflect these ancient beliefs the beliefs themselves are still very much alive… preserved by an unbroken fraternity that has seen to it that such teachings do not die.
I don’t want to give away too much of what I saw. I’d much rather let you, the tourist, take it all in through new eyes. The ornate marble, woodwork and artistic plaster work is, in a word, astounding. Just try to remember that the architectural treasures found within represent a way of life that isn’t merely preserved… but practiced even today. Unlike so many historical sites that give us a window into societies long since passed and whose adherents are long gone… The Masonic Temple is a place very much alive with the past, present and the soon to be future.
You will NOT be disappointed.

The Masonic Temple is a gloriously kitschy attraction that rivals the Mütter and Eastern State in weirdness, and it’s hiding in plain sight, right across the street from City Hall.
Built in the 1860s as the grand lodge for the state of Pennsylvania’s many masonic lodges, the Temple is filled with a repetitive series of meeting rooms that each pay homage to the stonemason’s craft: there’s a Morrocan Room, a Renaissance Room, a Corinthian Room, an Ionic Room, and a positively psychedelic Egyptian Room. Some of these rooms have stone and tile details, and the main hallway is mainly marble, though many of the theme rooms feature painted plaster.
The Masonic Temple is an architectural candyland, offering a bizarro tour of how elite 19^th-​century Americans viewed other cultures, and a peek into the mysterious, kinda-​creepy, kinda-​laughable world of the Masons. You do have to take a tour (I think full admission is $ 8), as they won’t let you wander. My guide was a funny and likeable mason who seemed more interested in chatting up one of the women on the tour than telling us about the building. But he was refreshingly frank when asked about the Masons and their history, and he had some good one-​liners. I’m not sure I’d join his club, but it was fun to visit.

The guide was fun and entertaining throughout the whole walk. Each lodge was amazing to see, with similarities and in some case huge differences (i.e. Egyptian room. WHAT???) The tour group was small and thus greatly interactive. The whole temple itself was just an excellent example of architecture at its best. Definitely a site not to miss in Philly. And its not that far from the main parts of Philly.

My father is a Freemason, and his excitement and glee when I took him here was comparable to a child opening gifts on Christmas morning. I have to admit, the architecture and history of the place are definitely something astounding to behold! There are a lot of great artifacts from historically great Masons in Philadelphia. I would urge anyone interested in the Masons to go and tour the Grand Lodge!

Dammmn I love the Masonic Temple. Yes, freemasons are mostly a bunch of stuffy old white (and rich!) guys holding «secret”(i.e. lame) meetings in their glorified treehouse. Yes, they exclude women and up until recently, anyone who wasn’t white. But if you can ignore the discomforting exclusion and elitism of the religion, it is a wicked cool worshipping place to check out.
What constitutes the actual religion is a little unclear, and the tour won’t really help to enlighten you. Although our tour guide was hilarious, they seem to make a point of shying away from providing the details everyone wants to hear about (i.e. sacrificial animals, homoerotic rituals, etc.). But this is definitely the prettiest frat house I’ve ever seen (not a crushed beer can or stale pizza box in sight!) and the sheer spectacle of the meeting rooms and the insanely gorgeous hallway is worth the price of admission.

I too, intrigued with the promise of The Code, found myself going to the Grand Lodge for their side of the story. Surely, all the faboulousness of the construction this group claims responsibility for and the many leaders they claim subscribe to their call of «making good men great» would mean that the tour would humble you… and it does. But do not be fooled. This is no religious or spiritual enlightenment. This is man trying like Babel to rise above his station. The Temple proves that all that glitters is not gold but can look alot like it! The only women in the temple are on tour or carved in plaster or stone to uphold virtues. The many secrets are held tight and will not be discussed so do not ask. But you will appreciate the ability of man to be fraternal, and to keep something like a big party going for a lot of years. The day I went, the guide was witty, tight-​lipped, and defensive. Also decidedly no longer catholic since he cannot attend confession… this was interesting. All perfect men are compelled to be considered for this blood-​pact. Some are chosen. But the spookiness of all the secrecy, the absence of windows, and the sheer purpose of this group meeting at all should warn you to prepare for an overdose of bragging, holier than thouness, and somehow… envy!
If you will just recognize early that this is a club and not a faith, you will have less of a problem decoding this order.

Whatever your feelings about the Masons, if you have any interest in American history, especially the origins of United States, then it’s helpful to have an understanding of the strong influence that the Masonic ideals had on a great number of our Founding Fathers (G.Washington & B. Franklin, for starters), and many other great Americans in subsequent generations.
Although it’s a bit pricey ($ 8 for a one-​hour guided tour), the Grand Lodge of PA is definitely worth a visit. We were shown seven meeting rooms, each very distinctive in style, and additional galleries and stairways, with impressive furnishings, artwork, and — of course — architectural flourishes. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the building and its members, and forthcoming about much of the Masonic practices, symbolism, history, and philosophy.
Before and after the tour, you are at liberty (bad pun!) to browse the small museum collection, which contains genuinely interesting historical artifacts.