About us

The Entrance to the Library and Museum

These iron gates were erected in 1968 in commemoration of MW Bro Norman B. Spencer, Master of United Masters Lodge no 167 in 1933, recognising his leadership in founding this facility in 1928, and provision of his very large private collection, as a resource for Lodge members in their researches.

 The gates were donated by Quatuor Coronati Lodge No 2076, in London, the Premier research lodge in the world, of which he was Master in 1956.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now a bit about the Society

 

 The Society was set up by members of United Masters Lodge specifically to manage the Library and Museum. The Lodge itself as with all lodges in NZ, does not have charitable status.  In other parts of the world and specifically England, Masonic museums are set up as organisations with charitable status which enables them to gain finance for their running costs and preservation materials.  The latter are the major costs. Thus a legal incorporated society was founded and gained charitable status within the rules of the Charities Acts.  Being such a society enables us to attract finance from a wide range of sources as we wish.  The main sources are donations, sales of souvenirs and  membership subscriptions.  We can also attract interest from the entire range of Masonic organisations in this country and non-Masons.  Elsewhere in the world there is growing interest in Freemasonry among non-Masons.

The Library and Museum of Freemasonry New Zealand

The first thing to say is that we are interested in ALL forms of Freemasonry in NZ, all orders and degrees and the heritage it represents for the country and NZ Freemasons. The Government view over many years has been that museums are custodians of heritage on behalf of the Community and we follow that view.
Libraries and museums go through several stages, starting with objects being deposited with a theme such as Freemasonry.  Reasons include; ‘too good to throw away’, ‘family don’t want them’, ‘don’t know what they are’, ‘lodges clearing out store rooms’.
The facility was started in 1928 as a means of support for United Masters Lodge members with deposits of personal collections principally Norman B Spencer’s and individual donations ever since.
A second stage is getting these objects into some organised fashion.  We reached this in the 1990s.
A third stage is proper storage, preservation methods, and seeking more objects where owners wish to dispose of them.  We reached this in 2008 when we developed the facility you see now at 181 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland.
This consists of the Norman B Spencer Memorial Library/ Museum which includes the Grand Lodge Collection and covers all Masonic orders and some friendly and fraternal societies, and managed by the 167 Heritage Society Incorporated, a Registered Charity set up by the Lodge especially to do that. 

Some examples of Masonic Orders worldwide, some are not resident in New Zealand

 

Craft Masonry is often referred to as the ‘Blue Lodge’ and is inclusive of the 3 degrees:
– Entered Apprentice
– Fellowcraft
– Master Mason

Other Orders, but can be known as appendant or invitational
Approximate dates of founding are given but legends of some refer to much earlier but uncertain dates.
Holy Royal Arch, which in NZ includes Mark Masonry, Excellent Master, Royal Ark Mariners
Knight Templar and Knight of Malta – United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St
John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta
Rose Croix – Ancient and Accepted Rite, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
Masonic and Military Orders of Red Cross of Constantine and the Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and St John the
Evangelist
Royal and Select Masters, (in NZ the Cryptic Degrees), and the Order of the Silver Trowel
Allied Masonic Degrees: St Lawrence the Martyr, Knight of Constantinople, Grand Tilers of Solomon, Red Cross
of Babylon, Grand High Priest
Order of Secret Monitor and Ancient and Masonic Order of the Scarlet Cord
Operatives – Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviours, Plaisterers and
Bricklayers
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest
Rectified Scottish Rite, Knights Beneficent of the Holy City
SRIA – Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, though not a Masonic Order qualification for entry is Master Mason.
Royal Order of Scotland

Rite of Baldwyn, at Bristol
Royal Order of Eri
August Order of Light
Masonic Order of Pilgrim Preceptors
Commemorative Order of St Thomas of Acon
Masonic Order of Athelstan
Ancient and Primitive Rite
Orders of Freemasonry for Women and Men, and for Women only

Some similar but not Masonic orders were based in NZ at some time
Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes
Free Gardeners
Odd Fellows
Druids
Ancient Order of Foresters
‘Friends’ orders
Temperance orders such as Independent Order of Good Templars
And other organisations of which Masons have been members such as:
Army, Navy Air Force,