As reported in the last issue of Freemasonry Today the Provincial Grand Master, John Webb, officially opened the Essex Masonic Library and Museum last autumn. The progress that has been made just eight months later when I visited, is quite astounding. A range of collectables are displayed in captioned trays and shelves in an attractive and well-furnished room. A section is dedicated to the library and the atmosphere is that of a fully-fledged functioning and vibrant museum.
     There is one extraordinary aspect to this important event; that a County as prominent and distinguished as Essex, boasting Thomas Dunckerley as its first Provincial Grand Master in 1776, should not have considered a Museum and Library until now. In fact the prominence of Dunckerley in the Province’s history will undoubtedly be a matter which Mark Perkins, Curator and Librarian of the Museum, will keep in mind as he searches and solicits new material for the collection. Dunckerley was an extremely prolific writer and many of his letters and other documents are dispersed in private and museum collections. His greatest connection with the Province of Essex is related to the Royal Arch. Of the eighteen provinces of which Dunckerley was appointed Grand Superintendent, the first in 1776 was Essex, a position, which he held, jointly with that of Provincial Grand Master, until his death in November 1795.
     The first possibility of finally establishing a Provincial Library and Museum came when Mark Perkins left his employment with QCCC Ltd in January 2004. The present Provincial Grand Secretary, Andrew Bishop, suggested to Mark that he might consider sorting the Provincial Archives with a view to establishing a Library.
     Bro Perkins formally took on his duties in January 2005 and appointed Peter Smith as Assistant Librarian, and the talented craftsman Brian Cattermole as Assistant Curator. The latter proved to be a formidable handyman, able in carpentry and with a keen eye to suitable furniture. Within months the ground floor of Provincial Grand Lodge, situated literally next door to Wickford Railway Station, had been totally converted into a Museum room, and extended partly into the adjacent Provincial Grand Almoner’s Office.
     The floor was carpeted, bookcases and shelving were purchased and an advertisement placed in the Essex Mason, soliciting contributions and donations. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. Several individual Brethren submitted books and minor items of masonic interest and the Angel Lodge, No, 51, the most senior Lodge in the Province constituted in 1735, chose to deposit its archives and early artefacts with the Museum. Here are to be found a few important items. Several shelves dedicated to the Lodge include early certificates and by-laws.
     Outstanding among them are two documents: the vellum by-laws headed The Laws for the Regulation of the Angel Lodge, No. 51, Colchester dated AL 5791 - AD 1791 in manuscripts with twenty five signatures including those of the Right Worshipful Master and Wardens, in a contemporary mahogany frame. The other is a primitive handdrawn elaborate lodge certificate for John Saddler. Another attractive print is a colourful version of the ‘Charge in to the Initiate’ with a mosaic background printed by Dennis & Co, the Essex printers based in Colchester. An earlier decorative foolscap sheet is dated 1875 and intermingled with the prominent masonic emblems is the Lords Prayer written out in full. This was frequently used as a presentation gift to new candidates in the Province.
     In the central cabinet are exhibited various objects including a splendid silver Past Master’s collar jewel which was presented to John L Brown of the Star Lodge, No. 1275, by the 19 initiates during his year in office, between 1918-1919. The small collection of jewels extends into the special six trays and a glass-top cabinet built by Brian Cattermole, containing a selection of the jewels of the three charities, situated in the Almoner’s study. The Museum overspill, so to speak, into this adjacent study comprises two beautiful and useful wall display trays donated by the Library and Museum of Freemasonry of London. They contain a number of aprons, and other museum pieces hang framed on the Almoner’s room walls; a very elaborate pierced wooden floral frame with Craft, Royal Arch and Mark emblems, within which is the unidentified and anonymous portrait of an Essex Grand Officer wearing Provincial cuffs and jewels. It is dated May 1892, an early date for a photographic portrait. The collection is augmented by the permanent residence of the Provincial ornaments in the premises: the banners and sword are on display and only removed on the occasion of the Annual General Meetings of the Province and other significant occasions.
     A fledgling library is in the process of being built and here the contributions by many Brethren have greatly assisted the Museum. The Provincial minute books, which are enhanced with newspaper cuttings and clips pasted into the pages, together with lodge and chapter registers, cover the period from 1837 to modern times, the records after 1990 being computerised. Earlier records were unfortunately lost when the Provincial Grand Lodge moved from Gants Hill to its present premises. Otherwise the Library has a good selection of the classical books on Freemasonry: several copies of Gould’s History of Freemasonry, an early edition, the ninth, of Preston’s Illustrations of Freemasonry, copies of Carlile’s exposure Ritual of Freemasonry and various Encyclopaedias and works of reference. There is a natural emphasis in the selection of recent books on the Province of Essex. A great deal of pride is shown in the very recent highquality publication The Province of Essex entitled ‘The Master’s Chair’ edited by Ian Gorman and Brian Wright – a plush book with many colour illustrations and covering every conceivable aspect of the masonic activities in the Province. The Museum was launched with the full support and limited financial backing of the Province and will continue to receive an annual grant, which will allow for improvement and minor acquisitions.
     I found my first visit to this new and developing museum an adventure surrounded, as I was, by the enthusiasm and excitement of the potential that there is for the future. Mark Perkin’s appeal is for the Brethren and, more especially for those lodges who have artefacts and books hidden away in cupboards, to present them to the Museum for safe keeping and permanent display. Along the walls leading to the offices upstairs are the portraits of all the Provincial Grand Masters from Thomas Dunckerley to John Webb, except three: William Wix, 1801-1823; William Phillip Honywood MP 1824-1831, and Robert John Bagshaw MP 1854-1878. Mark Perkins would like to hear from anyone who has come across a print of one of these dignitaries.
     The Essex Library and Museum, is a member of the Masonic Library and Museum Group, and is open every Tuesday from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
     Visitors are welcome at other times by prior appointment, which can be made by contacting the Provincial Office or Mark Perkins directly, on 01702 711201 and by e-mail perkins.mark@btinternet.com.