Symbolism in Portland's Masonic Architecture

Portland has a wealth of current and former buildings designed and constructed on behalf of local Freemasons, a fraternal order at its peak in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Within the downtown area alone there are several Masonic buildings still standing. These include the Mark Building, the former Masonic Temple that is now part of the Portland Art Museum, the Scottish Rite Cathedral in the Goose Hollow neighborhood, and the Pythian Building, now home to the Elysian Ballroom. Other current and former Masonic buildings can be found throughout the city. In this all new presentation, Tina Miller will discuss the architectural elements found on Masonic buildings, sharing the symbolism behind details such as building orientation and window placement, as well as the type of tools used by stone masons to construct buildings – tools that also have important symbolic meaning for Freemasons. Tina Miller is a Freemason in the International Order of Le Droit Humain for Men and Women. She has a background in landscape design and is currently studying symbolism in Masonic architecture and furniture.

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Seating is Limited. Pre-Registration is Highly Recommended.

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Urbanite. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.