Masonic Grand Lodge Library and Museum of Texas

04/20/2026

APRIL 20-24, 2026
Due to a private event rental, we will not be able to offer tours or on-site research this week. Please call or email research requests.

The Memorial Temple will be closed to the public Wednesday-Friday.

Please check with other organizations who have offices in the building regarding changes to their schedule for the week.

03/02/2026

Happy Texas Independence Day! Twenty-three of the signers, several of whom were on the committee to draft the Declaration, were Masons.

02/28/2026

190 years ago today - Feb. 28, 1836
Day six of the siege of The Alamo. To help raise morale, Col. Davy Crockett picks up his fiddle and challenges Sgt. John McGregor, a Scotsman with a set of bagpipes, to some friendly musical dueling.

This Russian violin, circa 1734, is likely of the same age and style as the one used by Crockett. This particular instrument was brought to the U.S. by the grandparents of Bro. F. B. Wilburn and given to him in his 18th birthday. Bro. Wilburn was a long-time member of Garrison Lodge No. 670 in Garrison, TX.

The violin was donated to the Library & Museum in memory of Bro. Wilburn by his thirteen children.

02/27/2026

190 years ago today - Feb. 27, 1836
Day five of the siege of The Alamo. Both the Texian defenders and the Mexican army are strengthening fortifications. The flow of water from the San Antonio River to the eastern acequia has been stopped, ending the defenders’ major source of water.

One of the participants in the siege was Mexican Army Lt. Reyes Martinez, who had previously lived in Texas and fought with Texans in campaigns against the Indians. He is believed to have retreated to Mexico following the Battle of San Jacinto. He returned to Texas following independence and lived near Moore, southwest of San Antonio, until his death.

Before his death, Martinez presented the sword he used at the Battle of The Alamo to a member of the Masonic Lodge at Moore. It was donated to the Grand Lodge Library & Museum by that Brother's family in 1935.

01/28/2026

The L&M will remain closed on January 28 due to poor road conditions. Normal operations are expected to resume tomorrow.

01/25/2026

SCHEDULE UPDATE: Due to the current and expected weather conditions, the Library & Museum will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27th. We will continue to monitor the weather, and expect to reopen on Wednesday.

01/13/2026

SPECIAL DISPLAY ALERT!!

Thanks to a partnership between the Board of Directors of the Masonic Grand Lodge Library & Museum and the Livingston Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York, we are pleased to be able to display the ORIGINAL BANNER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS during this week's Grand Communication.

The banner, along with the original Minutes of the Convention of Lodges that formed the GLRT and several other Republic era artifacts from the Library & Museum's collection, will be on display inside the Library from Thursday-Saturday this week.

12/19/2025

The Board of Directors and Staff of the Library & Museum would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season. May this time be filled with family, friends, love, and laughter. From our families to yours, Happy Holidays!

11/25/2025

We love being part of the Waco community, and had a blast hosting part of this summer. Congrats to the whole team; we can't wait to see what comes to the screen next year!

11/11/2025

Applications are now being accepted for an open position on the Library & Museum Board of Directors. Click the link for more details. Applications must be submitted by December 12th.

The Grand Lodge Library is dedicated to preserving and sharing Freemasonry literature. Our extensive collection offers valuable resources for both researchers and enthusiasts of Masonic history.

10/19/2025

Applications for the Board of Directors of the Masonic Grand Lodge Library & Museum are now being accepted. Click the link for the application packet. Questions and submissions should be directed to Don Paul Payton, Board Secretary, at the email address on the form. Applications are due December 12.