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The Museum exists to collect, preserve and display all items of Masonic interest but more especially those which have a Scottish connection.
The museum was founded in 1807 but it was not possible to display items until the present Freemasons' Hall was completed in 1912. The Museum is housed in the long gallery next to the Library and contains many items of interest to the Craft and is open Monday to Friday, 09.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
During the last few years there has been a considerable increase in interest as to the history of Freemasonry. 
As the Grand Lodge of Scotland is custodian to the oldest Lodge Minutes in the world dating from 1598. (Please see the item '400th Anniversary') Such interest has, understandably, led many to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and it's old records. Such is the interest that Grand Lodge decided to upgrade the Museum, and Library, facilities. Additional room has been found and the long gallery has been extended to give 50% additional floor space. With improved lighting and more 'standing room' it is to be hoped that, when completed, the Museum will represent a more comprehensive account of the history of Freemasonry.
As is common knowledge, Freemasonry is not concerned with 'things' but is dedicated to improving a man's morals. This lack of interest in the purely physical aspects of Scottish Freemasonry is probably, partly, due to the Scottish culture. After all the earliest Freemasons thought nothing of meeting in small rooms or buildings or even in the open air.
Sadly this has led, on many occasions, to the loss, theft or the negligent destruction of old documents and artefacts. I cannot better sum up the despair of the Curator of the Museum and Library at Freemasons' Hall than by quoting from the book; 'The First Freemasons - Scotland's Early Lodges and Their Members' by Professor Stevenson, who is not a Freemason!
"The present day Lodges which can trace their history back into the seventeenth century are justifiably proud of their past, for they are the oldest Lodges in the world. But it is surely misguided pride that which makes most of them insist on retaining possession of unique records that they do not have the facilities to care for properly, however much they may revere them. Lodge officials change frequently, providing repeated opportunities for the records for which they are responsible to be lost sight of, and even if kept in a lodge safe they can be neglected and roughly treated as other items are put in or taken out. The Lodge of Scone and Perth has deposited its prized 1658 agreement in the Scottish Record Office; the Lodge of Dunfermline's
early records are in Dunfermline Burgh Library; the Lodge of Dumfries has placed its records in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Would that other Lodges would follow these enlightened examples!
Sturdy independence and local pride are all very well, but insistence on retaining actual possession of valuables can be counter-productive as the Inventory entries [in his book] recording lost documents clearly demonstrate. Depositing records in a library or archive need not mean the loss either of ownership or of control of access to them".
It is sad that much of the Scottish Masonic heritage is being lost. The Grand Secretary is at all time happy to receive donations of items for the Museum. All such donations will be acknowledged to the donors and their generosity reported to Grand Lodge. It matters not if the item is thought unworthy, damaged or insignificant because it might be that this is a mistaken belief. One example is Lodge jewels. Less than 40% of Scottish Lodges have any form of representation within the Museum. Yet many appear in second-hand shops or in car boot sales and are often something that the Museum does not hold. Old Masonic books, Jewels, Charters, Diplomas and documents are always especially welcome. Even if such items cannot be displayed immediately they will be added to the Museum archive to allow the displays to the changed on a regular basis.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland is willing, at all times, to act as custodian for old Lodge Books and MSS. It is noted, with regret, that on numerous occasions old records have come into private hands and have been lost to the Scottish Craft forever. 
The Grand Lodge of Scotland has adequate facilities for storing, in fire proof vaults, all records which are no longer used. Such records deposited with the Grand Lodge remain the property of the Lodge and will be returned immediately to the Lodge on request. In addition such records can be consulted at Freemasons' Hall at any time.
The work of Professor David Stevenson has demonstrated that Freemasonry has been part of Scottish culture and experience, since at least, 1598.
The Museum exists to inform and display the 400 years of Scottish Freemasonry. In due time it is anticipated that images of artefacts contained within the Museum will be used to illustrate this page. Keep looking!
The Grand Lodge of Scotland is an Associate Member of the Scottish Museums Council and carries a reciprocal link to the Museums Association of Great Britain. Virtually all of the Museums in Scotland are listed on these WebSites with internet links to many.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland was proud to be present at the opening and dedication of the new and exciting Museum of Scotland and a report of that event will be placed here shortly!
 Scottish Museums Council  The Museum of Scotland  The Museums Association |