  Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 112 Registered: 04-2007 |
I was in the Detroit Masonic Temple for the first time this past weekend for a wedding, and I can't wait to go on a tour of the place. The building is fascinating. | ||
Single_malt Member Username: Single_malt Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2008 |
As a Freemason and a Shriner, I've been on the inside of that building a thousand times; that building is amazing. The tours are free, and you do not need to be part of the fraternity to enjoy it. The architecture and foresight in design is amazing. So many ornate woodworking, marble carvings, priceless paintings, and the like. | ||
Detroitbill Member Username: Detroitbill Post Number: 521 Registered: 09-2006 |
It certainly is, these are the treasurers we need to remember make up the Detroit we love,,and why we care about it. | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 114 Registered: 04-2007 |
While I was there I heard something about a pool that can't be filled anymore that was on the 6th floor or something. That would be nice to see. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 454 Registered: 06-2005 |
The pool was never filled. It wasn't completed. The depression hit and worked stopped. The pool layout itself reminds me of the old and now gone Dondero High School pool in Royal Oak (1927). | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 11436 Registered: 10-2003 |
Paging Gistok - Do you guys give tours of the Masonic Temple (or Temple or Masonic - whatever is the correct name). | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3660 Registered: 11-2005 |
I went on a tour of it sponsored by the Detroit Historical Society a few years ago. The swimming pool is not that interesting; just a big, dirty concrete hole in the ground. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6459 Registered: 08-2004 |
Jt1, Preservation Wayne gave tours of the place a few years back, but besides a Midtown Theatre Tour (which hasn't been done in several years that I'm aware of), PW doesn't have regularly scheduled tours of the Masonic. In recent years (as has been mentioned) other groups have given tours, as does on occasion, the Masonic Temple itself. P.S. Correct nomenclature would be: Detroit's Masonic Temple or simply Masonic Temple Masonic Temple Theatre... although I've occasionally heard "Masonic Theatre" Scottish Rite Theatre | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 385 Registered: 08-2006 |
I was just on a tour of the place March 1st for about 40 members of Exposure Detroit. Incredible place. Heres a shot of the Masonic Temple Theater that I took from the trek. http://www.flickr.com/photos/s outhen/2306987679/ | ||
Detblue Member Username: Detblue Post Number: 42 Registered: 04-2007 |
That photo is amazing!•• | ||
Single_malt Member Username: Single_malt Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2008 |
Yep, the pool is pretty much a big dirty concrete hole http://img98.imageshack.us/img 98/624/img2937iz3.jpg The pool was never completed. The building was designed to also have a hotel, racquet ball courts, and spa in the same area. That was never completed. There are other really amazing features in the building such as: the Knights Templar Asylum (I was Knighted there a few years ago...amzing place), all the light fixtures, and furniture, and woodwork. It really is worth a trip down to see this magnificant jewel. This building is full of mystique and is just amazing. There are so many rooms and anterooms in the ritual tower, you can get lost. In fact we did for a few hours. It was really nice to see how these people lived and socialized back in the day. Most of the stuff is still there dust covered under cloths and what not. | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 119 Registered: 04-2007 |
These are the things that amaze me about Detroit. The buildings downtown are amazing. When I was at the Temple last Saturday, we were just in awe of the place. (I'm into old structures and there histories....just a little bit) | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6470 Registered: 08-2004 |
Another thing that was never completed was a 900 seat theatre (with balcony) on the top floors of the tower. The theatre was framed, but never finished, and is currently used as a vast storage space. So the Masonic had 3 theatres, but only 2 were ever completed... the 5,000 seat Masonic Temple Theatre, and the 1,585 seat Scottish Rite Theatre. Due to the horseshoe shape of the 5,000 seat main auditorium, and due to the columns in the middle back of the auditorium, only 4,404 seats are actually used. The obstructed view and side of stage (poor sight lines) seating is not used (via ticket sales). | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 122 Registered: 04-2007 |
Do they go up to the storage space in the tours? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 6471 Registered: 08-2004 |
I don't think so. I was there when Preservation Wayne did their tours several years ago. One of the Masonic folks took a few of the PW folks up to that space after all the tours ended. But that was only the PW tours. Others do tours as well, and I can't speak for them. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3671 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: The tour I was on went through some storage areas. I think we passed them while heading toward the pool. | ||
Catman_dude Member Username: Catman_dude Post Number: 277 Registered: 03-2006 |
Wikipedia says the Masonic Temple's "cornerstone was placed on September 19, 1922." Lez see.... 9/19/1922 is 9+1+9+1+9+2+2= 33. The number "33" is prominent in freemasonry. The headquarters of the Scottish Rite is in Washington DC, "Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" at 1733 16th Street. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3707 Registered: 11-2005 |
I got a newsletter from the Detroit Historical Society yesterday and they have a tour scheduled for May 3. It is not on the website yet, but the phone number is 313-833-1801. Cost-$25. | ||
Detroitman32 Member Username: Detroitman32 Post Number: 16 Registered: 03-2008 |
Hmm... maybe when the economy clears up, and things get better, they could finish up that hotel/racquet ball courts/spa/theatre. That would be great. Anymore pictures of the pool/unfinished places? | ||
Terryh Member Username: Terryh Post Number: 718 Registered: 11-2006 |
The Rolling Stones played there in 78. | ||
Whithorn11446 Member Username: Whithorn11446 Post Number: 215 Registered: 03-2007 |
"The Rolling Stones played there in 78." So has The Who, Neil Diamond, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsten, Tony Bennett, Wayne Newton, Gordon Lightfoot, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jeff Beck, Queen, Bob Marley, David Bowie, and Barry Manilow to name a few. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 999 Registered: 10-2003 |
Django Reinhardt made his sole Det appearance at MT w/Duke's band in 1946. And Jazz At The Philharmonic w/Bird played MT in 1949. | ||
Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 821 Registered: 07-2004 |
I think the Masonic would make an amazing campus for a university. Move Oakland University into it. | ||
Pam Member Username: Pam Post Number: 3713 Registered: 11-2005 |
quote: It is not an empty building. The Masons still use it. Plus I doubt OU would be interested in moving from the location where they have always been. (Oakland county- hence the name.) | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 2112 Registered: 12-2005 |
Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie band appeared in concert there in 1965. I played in the Scottish Rite auditorium before a White Stripes concert about four years ago. Very surreal job. Blanche was the opener, what a great band. Goober and the peas, all married and grown up. (Message edited by 56packman on March 21, 2008) | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1714 Registered: 11-2003 |
And with Illich and Olympia Entertainment taking care of the booking and running of the MT, expect more use of the building. The Detroit Economic Club uses it frequently for events. | ||
Ladyinabag Member Username: Ladyinabag Post Number: 490 Registered: 03-2007 |
I saw "The Police" there in 1982. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2804 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Detroit Historical Society is hosting a tour of Masonic Temple on Saturday, May 3, 11am-1pm. $20 for DHS members; $25 for nonmembers. "Join this popular tour through one of the city?s architectural wonders and hear stories and secrets that have evolved in its long existence. Make sure to bring your walking shoes, this tour can be long." Yes, our tour lasted about 4-5 hours a couple years back. Of course, you can depart when you've had enough! Here's the link to the webpage which links to the online registration and ticket order system: http://www.detroithistorical.o rg/thingstodo/index.asp?ID=20 | ||
Dannyv Member Username: Dannyv Post Number: 131 Registered: 08-2007 |
Hey, thanks for the hookup about the DHS tours. I signed up for the Masonic Temple and the U-D Mercy tours. | ||
Mcwalbucksnfitch Member Username: Mcwalbucksnfitch Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2006 |
Those who are interested in seeing the "backbone" parts of this building... take a self-guided tour. I have...several times, and the higher you go, the less likelihood that anything is locked. Its like exploring an abandoned building without actually being in one. Just this past December, a friend and I were hanging out on the roof. | ||
Whithorn11446 Member Username: Whithorn11446 Post Number: 217 Registered: 03-2007 |
"Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie band appeared in concert there in 1965." 56packman, Do you happen to have the exact date for that concert in 1965 ? | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 5286 Registered: 10-2003 |
I have been fortunate enough to take a number of far behind the scenes tours with a notable mason/architectural historian. I was able to see things that even the pres. wayne folks don't get to see. What is really sad is the surrounding area looks like Grozny. | ||
Single_malt Member Username: Single_malt Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2008 |
Patrick, I agree about the surrounding areas. When the Shriners were down there, I know people that have had their car broken into two and three times. It was terrible. | ||
Ocmobilexec Member Username: Ocmobilexec Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2007 |
I was an 'extra' in the opera Anna Bolena in the 1980s with Michigan Opera Theatre. Dame Joan Sutherland was in the lead roll. Anyhow, we got to go exploring the vast interior of this incredible building while we were in reherasals there. Will never forget it. | ||
Single_malt Member Username: Single_malt Post Number: 34 Registered: 02-2008 |
Henry Ford used to broadcast his Sunday evening radio shows from there. Also, the building has it's own power plant that could power 50,000 homes. | ||
Karenk Member Username: Karenk Post Number: 59 Registered: 07-2006 |
Bob Dylan made his electric guitar debut then in whatever year that was. All the great played there in the late 1960's & early 70's. Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Collins & Joan Baez ar ethe only other ones I can remember seeing. 'Man of La Mancha' w/Stan Keaton, 'Foxy' w/Bert Lahr were some of the best theater ever for me! Beautiful Room. | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 312 Registered: 03-2006 |
Someone keyed my car door the last time I went to the Masonic Temple to see a show. | ||
Whithorn11446 Member Username: Whithorn11446 Post Number: 220 Registered: 03-2007 |
Barry Goldwater made a speech at the Temple in 1960 to Oakland County Republicans in support of Richard Nixon. The Democrats had some Jefferson-Jackson Day dinners at the Temple throughout the years. | ||
Sjmes Member Username: Sjmes Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2003 |
Patrick: I am very interested in getting a really "thorough" tour through the Masonic. Maybe one that is a little more "in depth" then the one by detroit historical society. Is there any way that you could talk to your friend and see if he would be interested in making a little bit of extra money and taking some very pro-Detroit history buffs on a tour? Please contact me at charretted at wayne dot edu. This would be a very much appreciated anniversary gift! | ||
Melody Member Username: Melody Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2007 |
I saw Tenacious D there, it was awesome. A few weeks later my friend got his face smashed in and his laptop stolen by two guys while walking home past there. It was not awesome. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6602 Registered: 10-2003 |
I posted a tour of the Windsor one the other day, not anywhere as grand as the Detroit one... http://internationalmetropolis .com/?p=635 |
