JOHN THORPE MUSEUM
The Provincial Masonic Library and Museum is housed in Freemasons’ Hall, London Road, Leicester. It has been described as holding one of the finest collections of Masonic books and artefacts outside London.
It is open daily for viewing and researching by members between 9.30am until 12.00pm when a Curator will be in attendance to assist in answering questions you may have or seeking access to resources held. Arrangements can also be made to host conducted tours for groups of the Library & Museum and other features within the building within or outside of these regular timings.
In the Museum can be seen a fine collection of Masonic Aprons and certificates, which date back to the early eighteenth century. They include items of regalia once worn by Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany 1763 – 1827, as well as some of the earliest membership and clearance certificates to be found in England. In addition to regalia associated with Craft Masonry, there is a collection of items belonging to many other orders of Freemasonry linked with the Province.
Particularly associated with the Museum is the Library with a wide collection of books and pamphlets relating to various aspects of Masonic history as far back as the early eighteenth century. Many were brought together by John Thorp, Past Master of the Lodge of Research No.2429 (Leicester) and of Quatuor Coronatia Lodge in London, the premier Lodge of Research in the world. He built up for himself and for the Lodge of Research an almost unique collection, and many of the rare items were published by the Lodge of Research during the first half of the twentieth century as a series of ‘Masonic Tracts’. Masonic historians, such as Hughan, contributed individual pieces to these collections and indeed Hughan eventually transferred his literary copyrights to the Leicester Lodge of Research, thus making it his literary executor.
