Masonic Library and Museum of Indiana

03/05/2026

WISH-TV 8 reporter Hernan Gutierrez stopped by the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Wednesday morning and shot a report for our 'Night At The Museum Gala' on Saturday. It's supposed to air this morning on their newscasts at around 5:40AM, 6:40, 7:40, 8:40, 9:40 and during their 11AM news show. He spent almost 2 hours going into the Freemasons Hall auditorium, the museum, at the 5-South lodge room and social room, and the Egyptian-themed Red Cross room. He interviewed Grand Master Randy Seipel, Mike Brumback and myself.

Thanks, Hernan!

Hopefully, the station will give us more than 40 seconds of air time. But I'm grateful for the coverage, regardless of the time.
Ticket sales have ended — we've sold 160 which is pretty great
for our first time — and the almost 50 silent auction items are fantastic! Alice and Thea have done an incredible job making the dining room look more elegant than it's looked in the 26 years I've been around here.

It's going to be a terrific night!

03/03/2026

This Saturday, March 7th, is A Night at the Masonic Museum — and tickets MUST be purchased by 5:00 PM TOMORROW (Wednesday)! Don't miss your last shot at this unforgettable evening!

Step behind the scenes after hours in the historic 1909 Indianapolis Masonic Temple for mystery, history, and pure fun:

• Cocktail hour with drinks
• Delicious prime rib dinner (chicken/pasta options too)
• Guided tours, scavenger hunt, and access to incredible rooms like the Egyptian Room & Knights Templar Room
• A special program presented by Christopher Hodapp, best-selling author of Freemasons For Dummies and president of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana

• Hosted by Grand Master Randy Seipel — this is your LAST CHANCE to spend an evening with the Grand Master himself!

The SILENT AUCTION is stacked with incredible items you won't find anywhere else:

• 7 nights in a Tuscan villa
• 4 nights in an Irish castle
• Luxury stays in the Mayan Riviera & a private Great Smoky Mountains lodge
• A private tour of the Scottish Rite Cathedral + dinner with Grand Master Randy Seipel and his wife
• Rare Masonic treasures (aprons, rings, Templar swords, artisan pipes)
• Indianapolis 500 memorabilia signed by winners/drivers
• Autographed items from Brother Shaquille O’Neal & Brother Carl Erskine
• Vintage Disney watches, National Treasure shooting scripts, rare books (including Vatican Secret Archives), Old Masters whisky, and much more!

100% of auction proceeds support restoring and preserving this National Register landmark.

THIS IS IT! — the clock is ticking! Grab your tickets NOW before they're gone forever:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-at-the-masonic-museum-tickets-1981830481319
See you Saturday for an evening of history, mystery, great food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

Mystery & history converge at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana after dark—dinner, drinks, and fun guaranteed!

03/01/2026

The Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana’s Night at the Museum Gala is next Saturday night - March 7th!

Just a few tickets left - order yours now while you’re still thinking about it!

http://www.tinyurl.com/mlmindiana

You won’t want to miss our silent auction! Take home some truly one of a kind items and experiences!
DON’T HAVE FOMO!
(Fear of missing out)

Win something remarkable while helping save one of Indiana’s greatest hidden architectural treasures. Checks and credit cards will be accepted on the night of the event, so feel free to splurge!

Just a few highlights...

Planning a honeymoon or an unforgettable family trip? Check out these:
- 7 nights in a Tuscan villa
- 4 nights in an Irish castle
- Luxury stays in the Mayan Riviera and a private Great Smoky Mountains lodge

Want a night on the town that's closer to home?
We'll have tickets to an Indiana Pacers game, the Indianapolis Symphony, or the Indiana Repertory Theater.

We’ll have rare and unusual Masonic items like aprons, rings, Templar swords, commemorative plates, and even artisan smoking pipes

Or bid on an unforgettable private tour of the Scottish Rite Cathedral with Grand Master Randy Seipel, followed by dinner with Randy and his lovely wife, Mel!

Interested in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
- How about a private Indianapolis Motor Speedway tour with Brother Paul Page
- Or Indianapolis 500 memorabilia signed by past winners and drivers

Even more unusual items are up for auction!
- Collectable vintage Disney watches from the 1980s and 90s
- Shooting scripts from National Treasure and National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
- An autographed baseball by Brother Carl Erskine
- Basketball signed by Brother Shaquille O’Neal
- Collectible Old Masters and Robert Burns whisky from Scotland
- Extremely rare 1830 Catholic rosary made for the Vatican’s ‘second in command’
- Black powder reproduction of a 19th century C**t Dragoon Revolver

Looking to fill out your own Masonic library?
We’ll also have many volumes and sets of classic works, as well as encyclopedias and reference books no Masonic researcher should be without! Plus other surprises like books on wine, coffee table books, autographed books, and even a very rare one on the Vatican Secret Archives!

Remember:
Every item has been donated so 100% of proceeds go directly to the Museum and to urgent restoration and preservation work at the 1909 National Register landmark Indiana Freemasons Hall.

Click the link below for tickets.

02/25/2026

The famous gavel used by George Washington at the Masonic cornerstone ceremony for the new U.S. Capitol building in 1793 will be displayed on the Speaker's podium in the House of Representatives tonight during the joint session of Congress for President Trump's State of the Union address.

Freemasonry around the world, featuring Masonic news, history, trivia, and more. By the author of 'Freemasons For Dummies,' Christopher Hodapp.

02/09/2026

DONATIONS NEEDED BEFORE FEBRUARY 27TH!

On March 7, 2026, the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana will host “A Night At The Museum,” a gala dinner and silent auction at the historic Indianapolis Masonic Temple, 525 N. Illinois Street. The evening will be hosted by Grand Master Randy Seipel with a program from author Christopher L. Hodapp (Freemasons For Dummies).

We are respectfully asking Masons to consider donating an item, service, or experience for our silent auction.
This special evening will welcome 150 –200 guests, including community leaders, preservation advocates, and supporters from organizations such as Indiana Landmarks, the Indiana Historical Society, and the broader Indianapolis civic community. Guests will enjoy private tours of the Temple and Museum, along with a rare opportunity to explore this extraordinary building.

Dedicated in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Indianapolis Masonic Temple is an eight-story Indiana limestone landmark designed by the noted architectural firm Rubush & Hunter. Inside are extraordinary spaces, including:

• A 1,100-seat auditorium
• Six ceremonial lodge rooms in classical architectural styles
• A unique Egyptian-themed ceremonial room
• A round ballroom and historic dining hall

Proceeds from the gala and auction will directly support the historic renovation and preservation of the Temple and the ongoing work of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana.

We are seeking a wide range of auction items, such as:

• Masonic jewelry, memorabilia or signed books
•. Unused time in a vacation home (Florida, Phoenix or other winter location; Indiana lake house in summer; a time-share property, etc.)
• Your spare sporting or entertainment event tickets
• Gift certificates for dining, services, or retail
• Unique experiences or behind-the-scenes tours
• Artwork, collectibles, or specialty merchandise

All donors will be recognized in event materials and signage, and your generosity will be highlighted to an audience that values history, preservation, and community leadership. Major donors will be highlighted on a new donor wall display in the Temple lobby.
If you would like to contribute, please contact:

Thea Emard Campbell, Silent Auction Co-Chair
[email protected]

Or Chris Hodapp at [email protected]

Time is of the essence! We must have donation commitments by Friday, February 27th to ensure inclusion in our event program.
Your support will help preserve an irreplaceable piece of Indiana’s architectural and cultural heritage — and ensure that we can continue to serve the community for generations to come.

Thanks for your consideration and for helping us protect our historic treasures and continue our mission!

(The Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana Inc. and the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Foundation are both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.)

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Whether you donate to us or not, join us for this terrific evening with the Grand Master! Tickets are on sale now

01/30/2026

A NIGHT AT THE MASONIC MUSEUM
March 7th - TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Mystery & history converge at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana after dark—dinner, drinks, and fun guaranteed!

Join us March 7th for an exciting evening at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana, in the historic 1909 Indianapolis Masonic Temple! This gala fundraising dinner and auction event is perfect for curious minds and history buffs alike. Peer behind the closed doors of the Masonic lodge and experience the history, mystery, and stories behind one of the most intriguing places in town. Whether you are a Freemason or not, don't miss out on this unique chance to see the museum come alive after hours!
Our host will be Randolph L. Seipel, Grand Master of Masons in Indiana, and the program will be presented by Christopher Hodapp, best-selling author and president of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana.

Tickets Include:
• Tours of the oldest and largest Masonic Temple in Indianapolis
• Go behind the scenes of the Masonic Library & Museum
• Explore the unique Egyptian Room and the historic Freemasons Hall auditorium
• Cocktail hour
• Roast beef dinner
• Auction

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-at-the-masonic-museum-tickets-1981830481319?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/28/2026

Now that city streets have been cleared of snow, the Museum is open again for Wednesday and Thursday this week. Our current 2026 hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10AM-4PM. The building is currently closed on Fridays.

01/26/2026

The Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana will be closed Monday and Tuesday this week due to the major snowstorms over the weekend. Temple Board president Bill Sassman reports the building will be closed Monday at least, so we will update our schedule as the week unfolds. Stay home, stay safe, and stay warm!

01/11/2026

Many thanks to all who attended yesterday's meeting of the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research at the Indianapolis Masonic Temple. I believe we had 45 Brethren there, if I heard correctly.

Brother Chad Kopenski 's presentation of 'Following Sheerer’s Ink: Tracing a Masonic Legacy Across Time and Trouble' was truly outstanding and a perfect example of the wonderful discoveries we have sitting out in plain sight, found by simply asking, "What is THAT?" Chad's simple question, "What is that book under the Secretary's desk?" led him down an investigative path that ultimately resulted in resurrecting a man who was so commonly known of by so many people, and yet so completely forgotten by time.

Quite literally every single Freemason since the 1850s has seen examples of lithographer John Scherer's work. His artwork has touched every one of us at one time or another, and yet almost no one has ever known his name or known the source of those scores of images. Thanks to Brother Chad, we do now. I can't tell you how many Masons left the meeting yesterday and went straight into the Museum to stare at the Masonic chart on the wall.

01/11/2026

Many thanks to everyone who stopped in at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana during Founder's Day yesterday. It was quite a turnout!

We are always looking for more ideas for displays and programs. Please let us know what you liked, disliked, what you found interesting or informative, or what you had hoped to find but didn't. Help us be better!