Masonic Temple Washington Dc

The U.S. capitol, Washington, D.C is home to a historical Masonic Temple. The temple is based on the “tomb of Mausolus” at Halicarnassus, Caria, Anatolia, Greece. The term mausoleum has come to be used generically for any grand tomb and stems from this particular design.

This “tomb of Mausolus” was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. John Russell Pope was the Architect of the design for the temple. Work commenced on October 18, 1911 and was completed exactly four years to the day later on October 18, 1915. There have been very few architectural alterations since the temple was opened. The House of the Temple has always been open to the public for guided tours since the day it opened back in 1915.

The modern day use of the temple is a functioning headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. The temple is located at 1733 16th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009, United States. Much content about the temple exists on the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry website. Content includes a virtual tour of the temple including the Entrance, Atrium, Library, Exhibit Rooms, Banquet Hall, Temple Room and the Lawn and Temple Gardens.http://www.scottishrite.org/visitors/vtour.html

Dan Brown - the Lost Symbol

Dan Brown's book The Lost Symbol is set in Washington, D.C. and the storyline involves Freemasonry. One of locations in the book is the "House of the Temple," the Masonic temple in Washington, DC.

In the days before the book's September 15, 2009, release, Washington braced for an influx of tourists. The Today show added to the anticipation by featuring a clue game. On September 10, 2009, Matt Lauer teased viewers by reporting from a "mystery location" (which was the "House of the Temple") with hidden symbolic meaning. http://tv.popcrunch.com/masonic-temple-washington-dc-dan-brown-lost-symbol-today-show-video/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-09-10-lost-symbol-locations_N.htm