Masonic Education

Education in Freemasonry is meant to be a lifelong process, furthering our understanding of the fraternity and its relevance to today's world.

The Institute for Masonic Studies was founded in 1997 to foster Masonic knowledge and understanding among the Masons of California and the larger world of Freemasonry. The Institute hosts a number of important programs and resources for members and lodges, including the following:

Basic Education for Candidates

In addition to the memorized proficiency, each candidate is expected to read an education booklet designed specifically for the degree that he has most recently completed. To demonstrate his understanding of the material, he is asked to answer several questions about the material.

Candidate Mentor Program

Candidates are encouraged to seek an explanation of the history, purpose, operation, symbolism, philosophy, obligation, and ideals of Freemasonry. Lodges provide assistance to candidates in this pursuit with the California Masonic Candidate Mentor Program (PDF - 604KB).

Annual California Masonic Symposium

The Grand Lodge of California and the California Masonic Foundation sponsor the Annual California Masonic Symposium. Each year this event, open to Masons and the public, addresses a topic of historical and philosophical relevance to Masonry in an academic setting. Initiated in 2001, past symposium topics have included Freemasonry in Mexico and Latin America; Freemasonry and Secret Societies; Issues in Contemporary Freemasonry; The Age of Franklin: Freemasonry, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Enlightenment; Freemasonry and the American Frontier; and Freemasonry and Women's Role.

The 2010 California Masonic Symposium, "Masonry, Military, and the Emergence of American Democracy," will be held June 5 at the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco.

This year's symposium will present a portrait of Masonry around the time of the American Revolution - including how Masonry influenced American military leaders, why it was criticized by Thomas Jefferson, and how the fraternal experience changed after the war. Presenters will address questions such as:

• How did military lodges unite America's elites?
  Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer Dr. Steven C. Bullock, professor of United States history at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and author of "Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730- 1840"
• Why did Jefferson argue that Masonry was incompatible with a healthy democracy?
  Matthew Crow, graduate student in American history at the University of California, Los Angeles and codeveloper of UCLA course "Freemasonry, Civil Society, and American Democracy"
• How did England's loss in the American Revolution change the Masonic experience abroad?
  Dr. Jessica L. Harland-Jacobs, associate professor at the University of Florida and author of "How did military lodges change after the American Revolution?"
• The Symposium will conclude with a panel discussion on Masonry, military, and the emergence of American democracy.

Registration is free. To register, complete the registration form and submit it to address listed. For questions, please contact Kim Hegg, program coordinator, at 415/292-9111 or khegg@freemason.org.

Masonic Formation Certification Program

This one-day training workshop certifies Masonic formation officers in the lodges. Combining candidate education with a lifelong learning experience for all members, Masonic Formation is a powerful tool to inspire candidates and renew the spirit of Masonry in the lodge.

2010 Locations and Dates

Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum

The Grand Lodge of California opened the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum in 1997 at the California Masonic Memorial Temple on California Street in San Francisco.

The museum contains over 8,000 titles and includes Masonic art and artifacts from California and around the world.

The Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum seeks to:

• Tell the story of Freemasonry in California to Masons and to the general public.
• Serve as a research source for both lay and professional Masonic scholars and researchers.
• Assist Masons who seek to increase and develop their personal knowledge of Freemasonry.

To volunteer as a library docent, contact the Grand Lodge office at
(415) 292-9137 or visit masonicheritage.org.

Research Lodges and Research Organizations

Research Lodges in California conduct research, hold discussions, gather and preserve Masonic information, maintain libraries, supply papers or speakers at the request of other Lodges, and conduct a program of general service in the field of Masonic education and information.