Masonic Education
Education in Freemasonry is meant to be a lifelong process, furthering our understanding of the fraternity and its relevance to today's world.
The Institute for Masonic Studies was founded in 1997 to foster Masonic knowledge and understanding among the Masons of California and the larger world of Freemasonry. The Institute hosts a number of important programs and resources for members and lodges, including the following:
Basic Education for Candidates
In addition to the memorized proficiency, each candidate is expected to read an education booklet designed specifically for the degree that he has most recently completed. To demonstrate his understanding of the material, he is asked to answer several questions about the material.
Download the NEW Basic Education for Candidates booklets:
Candidate Mentor Program
Candidates are encouraged to seek an explanation of the history, purpose, operation, symbolism, philosophy, obligation, and ideals of Freemasonry. Lodges provide assistance to candidates in this pursuit with the California Masonic Candidate Mentor Program (PDF - 604KB).
Annual California Masonic Symposium
The Grand Lodge of California and the California Masonic Foundation sponsor the Annual California Masonic Symposium. Each year this event, open to Masons and the public, addresses a topic of historical and philosophical relevance to Masonry in an academic setting. Initiated in 2001, past symposium topics have included Freemasonry in Mexico and Latin America; Freemasonry and Secret Societies; Issues in Contemporary Freemasonry; The Age of Franklin: Freemasonry, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Enlightenment; Freemasonry and the American Frontier; and Freemasonry and Women's Role.
The 2009 California Masonic Symposium, "Applying Masonry in Contemporary Society," will be held May 2 at Dodd 147, University of California at Los Angeles. Download the registration form (PDF). This year's presenters will include:
- Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer Dr. Margaret C. Jacob, Masonic scholar and Professor of History at UCLA, whose research of Freemasonry during the Enlightenment links Masonic principles to the founding of democratic society.
- R. Stephen Doan, Past Grand Master of Masons in California, who will discuss contemporary society's major divisions, their causes and effects.
- John L. Cooper III, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of California, who lends insight into which Masonic principles are necessary for a healthy democracy, and how to manage society's divisions while remaining true to Masonry's tenets of nonpartisanship and secularism.
Masonic Formation Certification Program
This one-day training workshop certifies Masonic formation officers in the lodges. Combining candidate education with a lifelong learning experience for all members, Masonic Formation is a powerful tool to inspire candidates and renew the spirit of Masonry in the lodge. Download the registration form (PDF).
2009 Locations and Dates
| June 6: Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, Pasadena |
| June 13: Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego |
| June 20: Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Fresno |
| June 27: Radisson Hotel, Sacramento |
| July 11: Crowne Plaze San Francisco Airport, San Francisco |
| July 18: Holiday Inn, Chico |
Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum
The Grand Lodge of California opened the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum in 1997 at the California Masonic Memorial Temple on California Street in San Francisco.
The museum contains over 8,000 titles and includes Masonic art and artifacts from California and around the world.
The Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum seeks to:
- Tell the story of Freemasonry in California to Masons and to the general public.
- Serve as a research source for both lay and professional Masonic scholars and researchers.
- Assist Masons who seek to increase and develop their personal knowledge of Freemasonry.
To volunteer as a library docent, contact the Grand Lodge office at
(415) 292-9137 or visit masonicheritage.org.
Research Lodges and Research Organizations
Research Lodges in California conduct research, hold discussions, gather and preserve Masonic information, maintain libraries, supply papers or speakers at the request of other Lodges, and conduct a program of general service in the field of Masonic education and information.
| The Research Lodges in California include: |
| El Camino Research Lodge - San Jose |
| Northern California Research Lodge - San Francisco |
| Orange County Research Lodge - Anaheim |
| Southern California Research Lodge - Anaheim |
| Research organizations around the world include: |
| Canonbury Masonic Research Centre |
| The Centre for Research into Freemasonry |
| The Philalethes Society |
| Scottish Rite Research Society |
