07/29/2026
If this door could talk! This old door was installed over 100 years ago. It stood between the Masonic Tyler Room and the Pledge Preparation Room.
Hundreds of people from our community passed through these two rooms on their journey to becoming Masons, members of the Eastern Star, and participants in other fraternal organizations that met in this building. Together, these spaces served as the threshold between the outside world and the ceremonial life of the lodge.
Tyler's Room
The Tyler's Room, often called the anteroom or outer guard room, was the secure reception area located immediately outside the entrance to the lodge room. It served as the final checkpoint before members entered the lodge.
The room was the station of the Tyler, the lodge's outer guard, who was traditionally posted outside the door with a drawn sword to prevent unauthorized entry and protect the privacy of the meeting.
Known as the lodge's "Final Gate," this room had several important purposes:
Members and visiting Masons gathered here before meetings.
Attendance registers were signed.
Aprons and other regalia were put on before entering the lodge.
Visiting Masons could have their credentials verified and, when required, demonstrate their Masonic knowledge before being admitted.
The Tyler's Room was both a welcoming reception area and an important part of maintaining the security and traditions of the lodge.
Preparation Room
Adjacent to the Tyler's Room was the Preparation Room, a private space where candidates quietly prepared before participating in their degree ceremony.
Designed to provide privacy and reflection, the room was typically simple in appearance and separated from both the lodge room and public areas. In many lodges, windows were covered, access was restricted, and the room contained only basic furnishings.
The Preparation Room commonly included:
Candidate garments used during degree work.
Secure storage for personal belongings, including jewelry, watches, wallets, and other metal items.
Simple slippers or other footwear for the candidate.
The hoodwink (blindfold) used during portions of the initiation ceremony.
Lodge officers, such as the Stewards or Deacons, assisted candidates in this room, ensuring they were properly prepared according to the customs and ritual practices of their jurisdiction.
For many local residents, these two rooms marked the beginning of an important personal journey. Before stepping into the lodge room, countless men—and later women through organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star—spent their first moments of anticipation, preparation, and reflection here.
