The Towanda Area Historical Museum is located at 401 Main Street, Towanda, KS. The building previously housed the Towanda Masonic Lodge No. 30 A.F. & A.M. Our building was constructed in 1904 and on November 24, 2003 became listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Towanda Masonic Lodge #30 was organized in September of 1885 and met in the Towanda schoolhouse until they were able to build their own building.
From the Walnut Valley Times June 10, 1904:
A Corner stone laid
June 2nd at 2p.p\M. at Towanda, the corner stone of the Masonic building was laid with the ritualistic work of the Order. Grand Master T. G. Fitch of Wichita, was present and in person officiated. The work was done between two tremendious rains and the brethren then retired to K.P. Hall where after a brief introduction and explanitory remarks by Grand Master Fitch, Rob Harmon of Wichita, addressed the parsonage on the times and objects of the Order. V.P Mooney spoke breifly in praise of Masonry and in compliment to the local Order.
The attendance was large, would have been considered large for a good day, not for one of heavy rains and deep mud was indeed remarkable. A pleasing suprising freature was a great dinner and by the wives and daughters of Matrons and members of Towanda Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Cold meats, chicken , salads, jellies, jams, cakes and pies including good old gooseberry, some housewife who knows how to build them and all things that go along with these, made a magnificent meal to which everybody was welcome.
The Masonic building is to be stone, is to be 25 by 60 feet, a 25 foot front: the first story to be devoted to commercial uses and the upper floor for the home of Towanda Lodge No. 30. The building will example the enterprise of the local Order whose auxiliary Towanda Chapter shares in the pride the brothern feel in the work.
Attending from ElDorado were Mr. LD Green, VP Mooney, BF Mooks, JD Griffin, WH Fountain, GW Elson and her two daughters, Mmiss Sadie Jamison, Miss Bae Giffin, Messes. VA Osburn, Marint Vaught, Dr. Bellett, Alfred Clayson, George Tolle, JC Glass, SR Clifford, CL Aikman, JM Noble, MG Wells, HR Brown, Lee Scott, Alvah Shelden, WW Turner, TH Kepliger, Sidney Smith, Fenton Browie, Ed Pattison, LD Green, O Mooney, Mc. Forrtaine, Arthur Hicks FM Anderson, NF Fraizer.
A Corner stone laid
June 2nd at 2p.p\M. at Towanda, the corner stone of the Masonic building was laid with the ritualistic work of the Order. Grand Master T. G. Fitch of Wichita, was present and in person officiated. The work was done between two tremendious rains and the brethren then retired to K.P. Hall where after a brief introduction and explanitory remarks by Grand Master Fitch, Rob Harmon of Wichita, addressed the parsonage on the times and objects of the Order. V.P Mooney spoke breifly in praise of Masonry and in compliment to the local Order.
The attendance was large, would have been considered large for a good day, not for one of heavy rains and deep mud was indeed remarkable. A pleasing suprising freature was a great dinner and by the wives and daughters of Matrons and members of Towanda Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Cold meats, chicken , salads, jellies, jams, cakes and pies including good old gooseberry, some housewife who knows how to build them and all things that go along with these, made a magnificent meal to which everybody was welcome.
The Masonic building is to be stone, is to be 25 by 60 feet, a 25 foot front: the first story to be devoted to commercial uses and the upper floor for the home of Towanda Lodge No. 30. The building will example the enterprise of the local Order whose auxiliary Towanda Chapter shares in the pride the brothern feel in the work.
Attending from ElDorado were Mr. LD Green, VP Mooney, BF Mooks, JD Griffin, WH Fountain, GW Elson and her two daughters, Mmiss Sadie Jamison, Miss Bae Giffin, Messes. VA Osburn, Marint Vaught, Dr. Bellett, Alfred Clayson, George Tolle, JC Glass, SR Clifford, CL Aikman, JM Noble, MG Wells, HR Brown, Lee Scott, Alvah Shelden, WW Turner, TH Kepliger, Sidney Smith, Fenton Browie, Ed Pattison, LD Green, O Mooney, Mc. Forrtaine, Arthur Hicks FM Anderson, NF Fraizer.
In May 1903, the Towanda Masonic Lodge #30 purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Third and Main street in Towanda, Butler County, Kansas. It was purchased from Mr. A. Loncer for the sum of $50.00 plus $6.00 for an abstract and a $1.15 fee for recording of the deed. In June, a committee consisting of Andrew J. Ralston, chairman, William R Green, Micheal Orban, Jr., Peter Poorbaugh, and Daniel H. Cupp was appointed to prepare plans for the new building to house the Masonic Lodge and submit this plans to a contractor. In the spring of 1904, bonds were sold to the members to raise money to pay for the construction of a new building. The cost of which was not to exceed $3,000.00.
The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on June 2, 1904, with Thomas G Fitch, Grand Master in charge. The lodge officers taking part were, Andrew J Ralston, Master; John C Straw, Senior Warden: Samuel Gl Huddleson, Junior Warden; Michael Orban, Jr., Treasurer; Charles Davis, Secretary; Daniel Cupp, Senior Deacon; S.E. Cornelius, Junor Deacon; John Cappas, Senior Steward; Claude Green, Junior Steward; and James N. Robinson, Tyler. The Methodist Church, The Christian Church, a band, and a choir all took part in the ceremony. A number of articles were deposited in the cornerstone, some of which are viewable at the Museum today in our Time Capsule Exhibit. The time capsule was opened on the 100 year anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone. There was a ceremony and reception. Upon the reopening of the Museum in 2020, the volunteers created a new exhibit to showcase these items. Many of the smaller items such as coins, calling cards, photos and a copy of the Walnut Valley Times were hung in a master case, and the club charters and index were added to the exhibit later in 2023 and 2024 when the funds were available to finish the exhibit.
The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on June 2, 1904, with Thomas G Fitch, Grand Master in charge. The lodge officers taking part were, Andrew J Ralston, Master; John C Straw, Senior Warden: Samuel Gl Huddleson, Junior Warden; Michael Orban, Jr., Treasurer; Charles Davis, Secretary; Daniel Cupp, Senior Deacon; S.E. Cornelius, Junor Deacon; John Cappas, Senior Steward; Claude Green, Junior Steward; and James N. Robinson, Tyler. The Methodist Church, The Christian Church, a band, and a choir all took part in the ceremony. A number of articles were deposited in the cornerstone, some of which are viewable at the Museum today in our Time Capsule Exhibit. The time capsule was opened on the 100 year anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone. There was a ceremony and reception. Upon the reopening of the Museum in 2020, the volunteers created a new exhibit to showcase these items. Many of the smaller items such as coins, calling cards, photos and a copy of the Walnut Valley Times were hung in a master case, and the club charters and index were added to the exhibit later in 2023 and 2024 when the funds were available to finish the exhibit.
TOWANDA MASONIC LODGE NO. 30 A.F. & A.M
1885 to 1996
EASTERN STAR LODGE #88
DATES.....
MATILDA LODGE OF RATHEBONE SISTERS
DIANA LODGE #163
CLOVER LEAF CLUB
CYCLONE CLUB JULY 25, 1895
MODERN WOODSMAN OF AMERICA
THIS WAS THE CHELSEA CAMP NO#8877 ORGANIZED ON NOVEMBER 10, 1902
