Grace Dee May Museum

Take a virtual tour of the Grace Dee May Museum’s Jewelry Collection: https://www.gracedeemay.org/costumes-jewelry

FREE download of the Grace Dee May Museum’s May-June issue of Illuminations visit: www.gracedeemay.org

View the Knights of Early Los Angeles trailer at: www.gracedeemay.org

The Grace Dee May Museum's trailer, "The Knights of Early Los Angeles" has been selected by the IndieX Film Fest. It's an honor to know that our video which previews the story of the significant impact of Freemasons (including the LA Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar) on the development of the City of Los Angeles is being recognized and appreciated.

Breaking News the Los Angeles Independent Shorts Awards has honored the Grace Dee May Museum with an Honorable Mention Award for the Museum’s video trailer, The Knights of Early Los Angeles. The film festival’s list of winners included short films, documentaries, live action, fantasy, animation and trailers. The GDM Museum's trailer for an upcoming documentary feature shares the saga of the historic Rancho days of California and the impact made by members of the Knights Templar. View the video at: https://youtu.be/BJ2-7DOWRJw

In 1841, Arcadia Bandini, daughter of Juan Bandini, the suave and wealthy Spanish Don from a large rancho in San Diego, married Abel Stearns - a man three times her age. An ambitious and powerful Freemason, Stearns moved his 14 year old bride to the Pueblo of Los Angeles where they became the city’s first power couple. After the death of Abel Stearns in 1871, Arcadia married Col. Robert Symington Baker. Together, they owned and subdivided the land which became Santa Monica. In 1887, they opened the first luxury seaside resort, the Arcadia Hotel, near the Santa Monica Pier. Learn more about the Godmother of Santa Monica, by watching the video preview trailer of The Knights of Early Los Angeles at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/copy-of-learn

The Grace Dee May Museum is pleased to announce the newest addition to our permanent display The Arthur & Margaret Beddoe Collection of Masonic Souvenir Glassware. Visit the Grace Dee May Museum website: www.gracedeemay.org

Emily Bronte's romantic period novel became a film classic after premiering in Hollywood on March 24, 1939. Directed by William Wyler (a member of Loyalty Masonic Lodge No. 529, Los Angeles) and starring Merle Oberon and Lawrence Olivier. Wuthering Heights was nominated for many awards and was named Best Picture by the New York Critics Circle as well as winning an Academy Award for its striking Black & White Cinematography. Illuminating the Legacy of the West at the Grace Dee May Museum: www.gracedeemay.org

Since 1910, the mark of Trifari has been associated with some of the most beautiful costume jewelry in the world. In celebration of Spring, we are showcasing a few of the Trifari brooches collected over decades by the Director Emeritus of the Grace Dee May Museum, Audrey Marie Stein. Learn more about Trifari by visiting the Grace Dee May Museum website and downloading the FREE March-April issue of Illuminations. www.gracedeemay.org

Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. (25 October 1888 - 11 March 1957). Rear Admiral of the U.S. Navy and recipient of the Medal of Honor, Byrd is best known for his polar explorations and credited as the first to reach both the North Pole and South Pole by air. Bro. Richard E. Byrd was initiated in Federal Masonic Lodge No. 1 and founded First Antarctic Masonic Lodge No. 777 in 1935. Visit: www.gracedeemay.org

William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 March 8, 1930) Taft was the only U.S. President to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and became the first President and first Chief Justice to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Taft was made a "Mason at Sight" February 18, 1909 by Grand Master Charles S. Hoskinson within Kilwinning Lodge No. 356, Cincinnati, Ohio. Taft’s father and two brothers were also Members of this Lodge. As Masonic Brother and President, Taft addressed the Brethren, saying, I am glad to be here, and to be a Mason. It does me good to feel the thrill that comes from recognizing on all hands the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. Taft later became an Honorary member of the Lodge of King Solomon's Temple No. 3464. Learn more about art, history, and Freemasonry: www.gracedeemay.org

Discover vintage Masonic glassware dating from 1893-1911 part of the Arthur & Margaret Beddoe Collection at the Grace Dee May Museum featured in the March - April Illuminations". For a FREE downloadable copy of this 8-page newsletter visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org

The first Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims was in 1621. However, American legislatures and Presidents have moved the date of Thanksgiving around the calendar for over 200 years. Find out how two Freemasons who became President made their mark on the Thanksgiving holiday at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/what-s-on

Julia Ward Howe, along with her husband Dr. Samuel Howe, visited Fort Griffin to get a first hand view of the Union troops defending the capital. After returning to their hotel in Washington, Mrs. Howe, an abolitionist and poet, awoke in the early hours of November 19, 1861 and penned six stanzas of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The Atlantic Monthly printed her poem and her stirring words were soon combined with the tune of John Brown’s Body to become a popular anthem of Union troops. Visit the Grace Dee May Museum website at: https://www.gracedeemay.org

400 years ago, in November of 1620, a small wooden sailing ship (100 ft. long and only 25 ft. wide allowing living space of just 58x24 ft. to accommodate 102 people as well as livestock) arrived in the New World. After setting sail from Plymouth, England, in July, the more than 100 passengers and crew aboard had faced a perilous journey. They had to turn back twice before heading out into the Atlantic. They were battered by a storm so fierce that it damaged the heavy structural beams of the ship. After 66 days at sea, the Mayflower arrived at Cape Cod. The passengers and crew continued to live aboard the ship for months as simple huts were built on shore. During that icy winter, more than half of the individuals would perish. To explore more American history, visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org

Today, on Veteran’s Day, we’re honoring all those who have served in America’s Military especially the countless Freemasons who’ve exemplified honor, duty, sacrifice, and service as members of the Armed Forces, and as Masons serving their communities. Visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org

Sharing the Brotherhood of Masonry has always been part of the fun at the Annual Communication of California Masons in San Francisco. Check out how many Masons you recognize from our Grand Lodge 2019 Video at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/copy-of-oktoberfest

Ever dream of time traveling? At the Research Library of the Grace Dee May Museum, you can step back in time more than a century ago, when over 50 Freemasons from Silver Trowel Lodge No. 415 traveled by train from Los Angeles to Mexico. Along the journey they joined hands in brotherhood and visited Masonic Lodges and toured historical sites in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Torreón, Chihuahua, and Juarez. Discover more about history, art, and Freemasonry at: https://www.gracedeemay.org

178 years ago, Mary Todd (an effervescent society belle from Lexington, Kentucky) and a solemn, first term Illinois legislator, Abraham Lincoln, exchanged wedding vows. On November 4, 1842, as they vowed to cherish each other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health it is unlikely that the petite 23-year old bride nor her lanky 33-year old groom could ever have imagined the tumultuous life ahead of them. Three of their four children would die... before reaching adulthood. The couple’s emotional fitness was assailed by attacks on both their character as well as their mental stability. As President, Abraham Lincoln was called on to provide leadership during America’s greatest crisis, and Mary Todd Lincoln would sit in a darkened theater, holding her husband’s hand, at the time of his assassination when death forever parted the couple. Visit the Grace Dee May Museum: https://www.gracedeemay.org See more

Patriotism and the Brotherhood of Masonry for a FREE downloadable "Patriotic Spirit poster visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org and click on the Grand Lodge Virtual Booth image.

Free gifts and downloads, fun videos, a challenging Masonic trivia quiz, and a lot more are awaiting you at the Grace Dee May Museum’s Virtual Grand Lodge Exhibit Booth. Join in the fun and fellowship at: https://www.gracedeemay.org

On October 13, 1792, a group of Masons wearing their embroidered aprons performed the solemn ceremony of laying a cornerstone at the site of the President’s House later known as the White House. In the 228 years since George Washington laid the historic cornerstone at the President’s House, one would think that the commemorative stone would have become a must-see for tourists. It has not. Why? Because it has seemingly disappeared! Read the story at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/post/a-white-house-mystery

Thanks for the Masonic Memories as Grand Lodge has gone virtual this year, take some time to watch this fun-filled video slide show of the Annual Communication of California Masons in 2019. You'll see lots of familiar and friendly faces from CA's Masonic Family! https://youtu.be/rZrE_SXd2oY

Get your Oom-Pah-Pah on! Download the Grace Dee May Museum’s FREE Oktoberfest Party Planner with music, videos, decorating ideas, recipes, and more at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/oktoberfest

Celebrate Die Zauberflöte Day The Magic Flute, Mozart, and Masonry! First of our "Music & Masons T-shirt collection. Available for a limited time. Visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org//mozart-the-magic-flute-t-shirt

A damsel in distress, a handsome prince and the secrets of Freemasonry. While this may sound like the plot of a new novel by Dan Brown, it’s actually the tale of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute" which premiered in Vienna on Sept. 30, 1791. Why Mozart, himself a Mason, intricately wove Masonic symbolism and allegory into his opera remains a mystery to this day. To discover more about art, history, and Freemasonry visit: https://www.gracedeemay.org

Support Brotherhood by wearing exclusive Vote Brotherhood gear. It doesn’t matter who you support in tonight’s debate, we all Support Brotherhood! Visit the Grace Dee May Museum Gift Shop at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/gift-ideas

OktoberSteinFest is OPEN! You are invited to celebrate virtually and at-home with the Grace Dee May Museum’s Virtual OktoberSteinFest. We’ve got everything you need from beer options to fabulous food at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/oktoberfest

Support Brotherhood by wearing exclusive Vote Brotherhood gear. It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle is your choice, we all Support Brotherhood! Visit the Grace Dee May Museum Gift Shop at: https://www.gracedeemay.org/gift-ideas