Bicentenary Warrant Goes on Display at the Lodge
Members of the Lodge of Honour were recently delighted to see the Bicentenary Warrant formally placed on display in the Temple at Bath Masonic Hall. The warrant commemorates a significant milestone in the Lodge’s history. In 2025, the Lodge of Honour celebrated its 200th anniversary, marking two centuries of continuous existence.
The bicentenary year was celebrated with a memorable series of events, including a special Bicentenary Meeting in the Temple and a Gala Dinner and Dance, both of which brought together members, visitors, and distinguished guests to celebrate the Lodge’s remarkable heritage. The evening culminated with everyone letting their hair down on the dance floor.
The bicentenary celebrations were highlighted in two previous articles:
- Bicentenary Meeting at the Lodge of Honour No. 379
- A Night to Remember – Bicentenary Gala Dinner and Dance, March 2025
A Carefully Preserved Piece of Lodge History
The Bicentenary Warrant has now been professionally framed and preserved to ensure its longevity for future generations of members.
The frame itself is substantial, finished in a dark, traditional style, and fitted with non-reflective glass to allow the document to be viewed clearly under the Temple lighting. To further protect the historic document, the frame has been sealed with moisture-proof backing, ensuring the warrant remains well preserved.
Once framed, the warrant was displayed in the Temple during the Lodge’s March meeting, before being moved to the dining hall for the Festive Board, where members were invited to examine it more closely. The response from the brethren was overwhelmingly positive, with many taking the opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship of the frame and the historical significance of the document itself.
The Lodge hopes that the careful preservation of the warrant will ensure it remains in excellent condition for another hundred years and beyond.
A Place of Honour in the Temple
The newly framed Bicentenary Warrant has now been given a permanent place on the wall in the Temple, becoming part of the visual history of the Lodge.
Meanwhile, the Lodge’s Centenary Warrant, which commemorates the first 100 years of the Lodge’s existence, will soon undergo professional restoration. The document, currently held in the Lodge museum, with other warrants and has unfortunately suffered from age and environmental damage.
The frame of the centenary warrant stands out in comparison to the other warrants in the museum. It carries significantly more elaborate designs and carvings and bears the markings of the lodge name, symbols as well as the square and compasses.
Over time:
- The backing panel has deteriorated and is no longer secure
- Evidence of termite damage has been discovered
- Moisture has affected the vellum, causing parts of the document to shrink and become slightly crumpled
Plans are now underway for the warrant to be professionally restored, including carefully stretching the vellum and replacing the backing panel. It is hoped that this work will be completed during the summer months.
Once restored, the intention is to display the Centenary Warrant alongside the Bicentenary Warrant in the Temple with permission from the trustees.
A Continuous Story of 200 Years
When the restoration is complete, the Lodge hopes to display together:
- The Original Consecration Warrant
- The Centenary Warrant
- The Bicentenary Warrant
Together, these documents will stand as a powerful visual reminder that the Lodge of Honour has been in continuous existence and meeting without interruption for more than 200 years.
A Final Word of Thanks
Members of the Lodge would once again like to express their sincere thanks to the Province and the many visitors who attended the bicentenary celebrations in 2025. Their support helped make the occasion truly memorable for the Lodge and its members.
A special message of appreciation can be found in our previous post:
The Lodge looks forward to preserving and celebrating its history while continuing to build a strong future for the generations of brethren yet to come. Continue to follow our journey and progress on social media.
