A Brief History of the Iowa Masonic Library, Museum and Administration Building

"Next to acquiring good friends, the best acquisition is that of good books"

The Iowa Masonic Library

A Brief History

"It has been suggested to me that if a certain amount of the funds of the Grand Lodge should be set apart each year, for the purpose of procuring books for the Grand Lodge, a very respectable Masonic Library might thus be collected without the amount expended being felt by the Grand Lodge. This seems to me a subject worthy of your consideration."

The foregoing paragraph, which was our first official pronouncement on the subject of a Grand Lodge Library, is taken from the address of Oliver Cock, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Iowa (then still a Territory), at the second Annual Communication, opening at Iowa City on January 6, 1845. (In the Proceedings for 1850 we find that the above suggestion came from our first Grand Secretary, Theodore S. Parvin.)

In conformity with a resolution, Grand Master Cock appointed a committee of three, to which was referred the matter of the formation of a Library.

This committee presented a report later in the session strongly approving the idea, but regretting that the finances of the Grand Lodge did not then permit extensive purchases; however, they took the decisive step needed for a beginning, probably without the remotest concept of the possibilities to be realized fifty or one hundred years later. The committee reported further: "Still we believe something should be done - a commencement should be made and additions made from time to time as the Grand Lodge shall be able, so that in time we may have a collection of Masonic information that will be an honor to us. In furtherance of this object, your committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolution, viz:

"RESOLVED, that an appropriation of five dollars (be made), to be expended under the direction of the Grand Secretary for procuring such information as he may see proper."

The following year Grand Secretary Parvin thus accounted for this appropriation:


        
                Book of Constitutions   $2.00
                
Trestle Board             .50
                
Masonic Melodies          .50
                
Freemason's Magazine     2.00

At this Communication (1846) an appropriation of $10 was made for the benefit of the Library, to be expended as the elective Grand Officers saw fit, but a year later, an appropriation of a like amount for this purpose was placed in the hands of Grand Secretary Parvin. However, at the 1848 Communication the administration of the library affairs was for the first time definitely settled by the following resolution:

"RESOLVED, that the Grand Secretary (by virtue of his office) is hereby constituted Grand Librarian, and directed to take charge of the Grand Lodge Library, subject to such regulations as the Grand Lodge shall prescribe, with authority to procure a suitable case therefore, and to draw upon the Grand Treasurer for the pay."

The appropriation for "additional works for the Grand Lodge Library" was $10.

In the Proceedings for 1849 we find the first printed catalogue of the Library's contents, including periodicals, taking up the space of one and one half pages!

The Grand Librarian's report of 1850 sounded a prophetic note when he stated: "The Grand Lodge will continue to add to its already large and valuable collection all the books pertaining to Masonry that can he procured, which will tend to throw a light on the origin, antiquity, and constitutions of Masonry, and to furnish the members of the Grand Lodge with all tangible information concerning its progress, and the duties of Masons as individuals and members of Grand and subordinate lodges."

"What Shall We Do?"

Eventually, the problem of proper housing became more acute than that of finances. Grand Secretary Parvin repeatedly called attention to the lack of safe and adequate quarters. It was rare good fortune that, in spite of the continuous hazard throughout the first forty years, none of the contents was ever lost or damaged by fire.

Until finally located at Cedar Rapids in 1884, the Library led a nomadic existence. During Grand Secretary Parvin's residence in Muscatine, it was in his personal charge; he brought a portion of it with him when he moved to Iowa City in 1861, and the remainder was taken there in 1867. From 1870 to 1872 it was located at Davenport, being then returned to Iowa City where it was maintained until its final transfer to Cedar Rapids in 1884 upon the completion of a building on the present site.

Library Erected in 1884

A Permanent Home at Last

The cornerstone was laid with impressive ceremonies on May 7, 1884, and what might be called the second period in the career of the Library began at this point. The full history of the difficulties, discouragements, and achievements of the first forty years form an intensely interesting chapter, but it is too extensive to be included in this brief history. It was inevitable that the effects of the four serious depressions during this period, coupled with the profound economic disturbance of the Civil War, should be felt, in all the concerns of Masonry; and the completion of the Library building itself occurred in the midst of a fifth depression.

In 150+ years the Iowa Masonic Library had only 11 Librarians:

Theodore S. Parvin, from 1845 to 1851, and from 1853 until his death in 1901;
Ansel Humphreys served as Grand Secretary and Grand Librarian from June 1851 to June 1853;
Newton R. Parvin, son of Theodore S. Parvin, from 1901 until his death in 1925;
Charles Clyde Hunt, from 1925 to 1945 when he retired;
Earl B. Delzell who served from June 21, 1945, to May 28, 1959, when he retired;
Ralph E. Whipple, from May of 1959 until his retirement in March of 1970;
Charles T. Jackson, from March of 1970 until March of 1981 when he retired;
Tom Eggleston, from March of 1980 until September of 1991 when he retired;
Paul Wieck who served as Librarian from September of 1991 until his retirement on December 31, 1994 and from September 8, 1998 until March 19, 1999;
Russel D. Strawn who served as Librarian from December 31, 1994 until his resignation on September 8, 1998;
William R. Crawford who assumed the position March 19, 1999 and is the current Librarian by virtue of the office of Grand Secretary.

Of major importance to the successes of the Iowa Masonic Library in more recent years are the contributions of Brother Keith Arrington. Although Keith never held the official title of Grand Librarian, as only the Grand Secretary can hold the title, he was "Librarian in Fact," serving under Grand Librarians Charles T. Jackson, Tom Eggleston, and Paul H. Wieck, and is largely responsible for the success and stature of the Iowa Masonic Library and Museums over the twenty years he served as assistant librarian. Keith authored a variety of Masonic works and is most noted for his book entitled "Freemasonry in Iowa." For his contributions as a Masonic scholar, Keith was elected a member of the Blue Friars, which is an elite body composed of Masonic Authors of note. He is one of only two Masons from the juristiction of Iowa ever to be elected to this esteemed body.