35 5TH STREET  ·  BRISTOL, TENNESSEE

Visit Our Lodge & Masonic Museum

Step inside the King Masonic Temple and see more than 150 years of King Lodge history up close, with a Brother to show you around.

The King Masonic Temple in downtown Bristol has been King Lodge’s home since 1940. Inside is our Masonic Museum: a collection of artifacts, documents and memorabilia that tell the story of our Lodge and the men who have belonged to it since 1874.

What you’ll see

Our collection includes historic Masonic regalia, aprons, ceremonial tools, jewels, Lodge records, manuscripts, certificates, books, photographs and artifacts that help tell the story of Freemasonry in Bristol.

Historical Curator Bro. Lee Hoffnung behind the museum's glass display case, beside a portrait of King Lodge's founder
Historical Curator Bro. Lee Hoffnung with part of the museum collection, beside a portrait of our Lodge’s founder.

Our curators

The museum is cared for by our Historical Curators, Bro. Vince Roberts and Bro. Lee Hoffnung. Our museum curators help preserve and catalog the collection, welcome visitors, and share the history behind the artifacts on display.

Plan your visit

Museum visits and building tours are available by appointment, for the public and for fellow Masons. We don’t keep set hours. Tours cover the museum and the public areas of the building; Lodge meetings themselves are for members. Here’s how to visit:

  • Schedule a tour. The best way to visit. Send us a message or call 423-484-8393, and a curator will set up a time to show you around.
  • Look for the Open House sign. When the Open House sign is out in front of the Lodge, a curator is in the building and available for a guided tour.
  • Come to a Lodge event. Visitors are welcome to see the museum during our open house meals and public events. See the events calendar.

Visiting Masons

Brothers traveling through Bristol are always welcome to stop in. King Lodge No. 461 holds its stated meeting on the second Monday of each month, with a meal at 6:30 PM and the meeting at 7:30 PM. Please let us know you’re coming, and we’ll be glad to show you the museum while you’re here.

Explore the archive online

Can’t make it in person? Browse photographs, documents and records from our collection in the King Lodge historical archive, and read more about our story on the History page.