Kent Museum of Freemasonry

About the museum

Freemasonry has been present in Canterbury since 1730, when the city's first lodge met at the Red Lion Tavern. In 1878 the Canterbury lodges bought premises near the Westgate Towers and in 1880 built a Masonic temple in the garden. Over the years the lodges collected many Masonic objects and papers, and as the collection grew, space became a problem.

The idea of a Kent library and museum came from Colonel Fiennes Cornwallis, later the first Lord Cornwallis, who was Provincial Grand Master and had the museum placed in Canterbury. In 1925 the garden of 34 St Peter's Place was bought for it, and a building designed by the architect F. G. Haywood was completed in 1932. When the old Grand Library and Museum in Great Queen Street in London was demolished, Cornwallis obtained its stained glass windows, internal doors and most of its showcases for Canterbury. The Kent Library and Museum of Freemasonry was opened on 19 April 1933.

The collection now includes more than 3,000 pieces, including Masonic paintings, literature, regalia, glassware and ceramics. After an 18-month redevelopment the museum reopened on 14 September 2012 with a new entrance from St Peter's Place, a larger library space and audio-visual displays that give an overview of Freemasonry in Kent. It is run by the Kent Masonic Museum and Library Trust, largely by volunteers.

Highlights

• Collection of more than 3,000 Masonic objects
• Regalia from all Masonic orders through the ages
• Masonic paintings, glassware and ceramics
• Audio-visual displays on Freemasonry in Kent
• Masonic library
• Stained glass and showcases from the former Grand Library in London

Permanent exhibition

• Masonic collection – Display of Masonic regalia, books, paintings, glassware and ceramics covering all Masonic orders, with audio-visual displays on the history of Freemasonry in Kent.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Kent Masonic Museum and Library Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; donations are gratefully received. Friends of the museum pay 5 pounds a month.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that there is wheelchair access throughout.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is close to the Westgate Towers and about a five-minute walk from Canterbury Cathedral.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There is no food or drink at the museum, but there are many places nearby.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit