A meeting of the Academy of Masonic Knowledge of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will be held at the Freemason Cultural Center in Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. Those Masons interested in the more esoteric and historical elements of Freemasonry are invited to attend this semi-annual symposium either in person or via livestream. A complimentary lunch will be provided.
Cost: FREE (Suggested donation - $10)
Dress Code: Business formal
Registration: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Those Masons interested in attending, can use the buttons below to either register for the in-person session or livestream the symposium via Youtube:
Below is information on the guest speakers invited to attend the symposium, courtesy of the Academy of Masonic Knowledge:
March 2019 Speaker Information
Very Worshipful Brother Allan Casalou, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California
Allan L. Casalou is the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California. He is a Past Master and was raised a Master Mason in 1991. He served Grand Lodge as Grand Chaplain in 2001, as Assistant Grand Secretary from 2002 to 2008, and has been the Editor of the award-winning California Freemason magazine since 2002. In 2008, Allan was installed the 11th Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge.
Allan began his involvement with Masonry in 1983 when he joined the Order of DeMolay. He is a past jurisdiction Master Councilor of Northern California DeMolay and a Past Regional Master Councilor of the eight western United States for DeMolay International. He is a past president of the DeMolay Foundation of California. In 2014, Allan was elected an Honorary Member of International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay. Allan is a 33◦ Inspector General Honorary in Scottish Rite. He is a York Rite and a Shrine Mason, and he is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Allan has enjoyed speaking at many conferences and lodges in California, around the United States, and internationally. He has discussed topics such as; the initiatic experience, Masonic traditions, and Freemasonry as it relates to social issues such as gender and religion.
Allan has a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of San Francisco.
Freemasonry Through Three Centuries: How do the first three centuries of Masonry inform the modern Mason on the current and future state of the fraternity?
In this presentation, we’ll explore how Freemasonry evolved from its beginning in the 17th century to our modern lodge structure in the 20thcentury. Masonic lodges had humble beginnings often meeting in vacant rooms above local taverns. Later, Masons built Masonic halls in the center of town and then, in some cases, they built huge cathedrals that became icons of architecture. How did this evolution of meeting places impact the culture and structure of the lodge? Was anything important lost along the way? Can we learn from this history? We’ll discuss these and other questions in this presentation on Freemasonry Through Three Centuries.
Mr. John Goldsmith, Curator of the DeMoulin Museum
John Goldsmith is the founder and volunteer curator of the DeMoulin Museum in Greenville, IL. Dedicated to the founders and employees of DeMoulin Bros. & Co. and the unique products created by the factory, the museum opened in March 2010 and has attracted over 8,000 visitors from around the world. The museum is as diverse as the company it celebrates. DeMoulin began as a manufacturer of fraternal lodge regalia, paraphernalia, and initiation devices and today is the nation’s leading maker of marching band uniforms. It’s been highly rated by the travel website Roadside America and frequently shows up on lists of the nation’s most unusual museums.
When not playing at the museum, Goldsmith is the marketing director for The First National Bank of Vandalia, IL and is an active volunteer in the community. Last year, he was honored by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution with their Historic Preservation Award, one of only around 30 people to receive this recognition in 2018. He is the author of the 2004 book Three Frenchmen & A Goat: The DeMoulin Bros. Story and has contributed to two other books about DeMoulin lodge initiations.
Makers of Lodge Paraphernalia: The DeMoulin Bros. Story
In late 19th century America, fraternal involvement was an integral part of the fabric of society. It is only natural that an industry grew up around the fraternal movement, supplying organizations like the Freemasons, and their appendant bodies, with regalia, jewelry, and furniture. One of the most famous of these companies was the DeMoulin Brothers, located in Illinois. Today, the DeMoulin company still produces uniforms and products for marching bands. But, a century ago, it was on the best known regalia houses in the United States. In this presentation, John Goldsmith, Curator of the DeMoulin Museum, will recount the history of the DeMoulin Company, the products that made them famous, and how the company impacted Freemasonry in the United States.