Scottish Rite History – Page 11

Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Acquiring The Fort Scott Scottish Rite Scenery for the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center, part 7.

While Wendy Waszut-Barrett is traveling for research and art acquisitions (October 14-29, 2017) she is reposting the first fifteen installments from “Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar Acquiring: The Fort Scott Scottish Rite Scenery for the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center.” Here is her seventh post from February 21, 2017.

Part 7: Arriving in Fort Scott

On November 1, 2015, I drove into the parking lot of the Fort Scott Sleep Inn & Suites. This would be my home for the next three weeks. After unloading all of my supplies and setting up the suite as my out-of-town office, I contacted the local Scottish Rite representative. He welcomed me to town and offered to take me out for dinner at a local restaurant. He and his wife picked my up at 6:00 PM and we headed to a local bar and restaurant called Sharky’s. By the end of my stay in Fort Scott, I would have sampled everything offered on the Sharky’s menu.

“A plate full of fried miniature deliciousness” describing the Mini Tacos & Burritos on the Sharky’s menu in Fort Scott, Kansas. This would make me chuckle every time that I read it in the evening.

I learned that John’s wife was the current mayor of the town, and they both were intellectuals. The couple had heavily invested in Fort Scott over the years, not only at the Scottish Rite, but also in the downtown area where there were continued attempts at revitalization. They had recently purchased a local storefront on Main Street and had high hopes for an upward swing in business, also being part owners in the Sleep Inn & Suites.

I was invited to a variety of upcoming social events, but had to respectfully decline – noting that I would have my hands full with supervising the scenery removal.

They also wanted to share a recent situation that had occurred in the Scottish Rite Theatre concerning a local resident who had lived in the building for a while. I was being told this tale as I might notice some things that appeared odd since my last visit – like a couch that had been placed in the balcony area. There were two reasons for sharing this story, the first was to suggest that the scenery might have been handled during the lodger’s stay. The second reason to share the story was my safety and the safety of my crew. Although I was assured that they were in possession of all building keys, I was to keep an eye out for uninvited visitors. If anyone was to enter the space not associated with the Scottish Rite, I was to contact John right away. This caused me some uneasiness about our upcoming working environment and what we were walking into as there might be more going on, such as a hostile undercurrent resulting from the sale of the scenery.

I was representing a business with millions of dollars at our disposal taking one of the last things of value from this small town. During our August visit, the CEO had made clear that Minnesota Masonic Charities’ had deep pockets to fund this endeavor; they could write a check for any amount to both purchase and restore the collection.

Fort Scott was an economically depressed community with a median income of $18,000-$24,000 per year, and the pride of the community was at stake. This had once been a booming town of industry and there were reminders everywhere of their thriving past. It could become a difficult project if we were not fully welcomed by the local citizens. It was a small enough town to realize that everyone knew what was going on in the community and all of the new projects– especially our initial offer to purchase the entire scenery collection for $2,500.

The mayor asked if I would be amenable to a newspaper interview. We discussed how this entire endeavor must remain a positive and noble effort to preserve the material heritage of both Fort Scott and the Fraternity. Not a large business swooping in to gut the town.

To be continued…

Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 201 – Henry C. Tryon at the Pork House

The converted “Pork House” for the Indianapolis Scottish Rite.

A description of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite building was published in the Salt Lake City Herald on August 17, 1883 (page 1). The scenery, stage machinery and effects were traced back to Scottish Rite member. Henry C. Tryon. Consistories from neighboring states attended the dedication ceremony to examine his skills. These grand opening events were great exposure for degree productions, drawing members from across the country and providing glimpses into the potential of Scottish Rite degree work.

Excitement continued to spread for Masonic theaters. These Masonic events caused word to spread fast among Scottish Rite Valleys in the United States. Elaborate stage mechanisms and ornate auditoriums were described in detail. Scottish Rite Valleys sought the best theatrical manufacturers available and went far beyond local options. What I find fascinating is that many articles highlight the scenic artist or studio and not always the architects.

The public’s praise of Tryon was a selling feature for the entire endeavor. He was noted as “a man of unquestioned artistic genius, and endowed with all that is necessary to success in the highest art walks.” Tryon’s popularity would truly be an asset at the Sosman & Landis Studio. No wonder why the hired him by 1884!

Here is one of the articles about the Indiana Consistory that I discovered a few weeks ago. I was thrilled with the amount of detail provided about the stage and auditorium spaces.

Indiana Consistory, Thirty-second Degree, S.P.R.S.

“We have been favored with a detailed description of the new home of the Scottish Rite bodies in Indiana, which will soon be dedicated to its Masonic uses, upon which occasion all consistories from adjoining States will participate. This will probably be the largest and grandest gathering of Thirty-second degree Masons ever convened in the United States. Of the members of Raper Commandery [York Rite] now on their tour to the triennial conclave at San Francisco all but four are Thirty-second Degree Masons and members of Indiana Consistory, S.P.R.S., and consequently are filled with enthusiasm at the approaching important Masonic event.

Event discussed in the newspaper article about the Indianapolis Scottish Rite. Image from the photo galleries of St. Bernard Commandery No. 35. Here is the link to their website as it full of fun images and very well done: http://www.chicagoyorkrite.org/commandery/CommanderyPhotoGalleries1870.html

The building measures 66×80 feet and each of its six stories is built especially for, and will be used exclusively by Indiana Consistory. The main audience room is built like a theatre, with this exception, that the stage is elevated but two or three feet from the floor with steps leading to it. The floor and the stage will be used simultaneously for the working of the degrees while the visiting members occupy the circles or galleries above. The auditorium measures 66×69 feet with a height of 35 feet. The proscenium opening is 23 feet by 22 feet and the height from stage to “rigging loft” is sufficient to carry the drops entirely out of sight. As these “drops” are 26 feet high, it can readily be seen that the height is as great as is needed in even the largest theatres. Besides the principle room just spoken of, is another of less dimensions and with a smaller stage. The banquet and reception rooms are arranged with folding doors, in such a manner that all can be removed so that the entire width and depth of the building in this story can be made one grand room. The balance of the building and every possible out of the way corner is filled with mechanical contrivances necessary.

Each of the two stages is equipped with scenery, the subjects being the grandest and the most charming and beautiful possible. It is all purely artwork. Mr. Henry C. Tryon, the scenic artist of the Salt Lake Theatre, who is a member of this consistory, has been engaged to paint the scenery and to direct the construction and arrangement of the theatrical appliances. The members of Raper Commandery were therefore naturally eager to meet Mr. Tryon, who has not been in Indianapolis since he did similar work for their present building several years ago – and a genuine “love feast” was the result of the meeting.

From the foregoing brief description one can also readily understand the magnitude, grandeur and expense of the undertaking, and can also readily understand the satisfaction which the members of the consistory feel at having secured the services of so capable an artist as Mr. Henry C. Tryon. We cannot resist the temptation of “hitting” Mr. Tryon another blow. Of course, his reputation is as enviable in Indianapolis as it is here; but here we have the benefit of the artist’s greater experience, longer study and maturely developed talent, and naturally has given evidence of that more matured artistic feeling. Here he is recognized as being a man of unquestioned artistic genius, and endowed with all that is necessary to success in the highest art walks. He is also a man of a great deal more than average intelligence, is well read and is possessed of that peculiar temperament and tact, which, turned in any direction, would ensure him marked for success. But he possesses the artist’s soul, and in painting subjects of such human interest as those to be dealt with at the fitting up of this consistory, his highest sentiment must have the fullest play and produce the most delightful results. The subject is equal to the man; the man adequate to every demand of the subject. The consistory and Mr. Tryon may shake and exchange mutual congratulations.”

To be continued…

Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 200 – The Scottish Rite’s Welcome to the New Age

Part 200: Welcome to the New Age

“I’m waking up,

I feel it in my bones

(enough) to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age

Welcome to the new age, to the new age”

My mind keeps playing “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons every time I think of when Scottish Rite degree work was first staged. It established a new expectation and standard for the Fraternity during the mid-nineteenth century. I also think of the Merriam-Webster definition of Radioactive – “having or producing a powerful and dangerous form of energy (called radiation).” Albert Pike probably viewed the theatrical staging of degree works in the Northern Jurisdiction as radioactive.

By 1904, the Scottish Rite would even publish “New Age Magazine,” a publication that would later morph into Scottish Rite Journal. However, today’s publication is a far cry from the original “The New Age Magazine.” The excitement and vibrancy of the Scottish Rite early-nineteenth-century membership was apparent throughout the articles. Topics included the history of freemasonry, interpretations of early fraternal documents, the opening of new Masonic buildings, notable individuals, poetry and other artistic, historical or interesting topics and events. The first year included an in-depth examination of the Albert Pike Consistory in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was written by Charles Rosenbaum and signaled a rallying cry for degree productions in the Southern Jurisdiction.

Remember that at this time degree work had been theatrically interpreted in one form or another for quite a while in the Northern Jurisdiction – at least 40 years. Scottish Rite Bodies in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction had renovated many spaces to include elaborate theater stages. The purchase of regalia, scenery and other properties necessitated the organization to seek extensive funding from an anticipated and an ever-increasing membership base.

In 1863, seven Masons met in Indianapolis, elected another sixteen petitioners to receive the degrees, and established an initiation fee of $50. They met in a rented space for $300 a year where Killian Van Rensselaer attended some of the meetings. By 1864, 45 men had received their 14th degree in the Adoniram Lodge of Perfection. In 1867, the Lodge appointed a committee to secure “larger and more suitable” rooms for their meetings and degree work.

Rental space for the Scottish Rite Bodies in Indianapolis before their purchase of the old pork house.

There were more than 400 members by 1881. Their second rental space included a 40×36 feet main hall with a height of 29 feet. A gallery was constructed on all three sides of this and a subscription campaign was initiated to raise $2000 to cover the expenses. Placing a gallery on three sides would certainly accommodate more members and provide a space for the audience during other performances conducted by the Scottish Rite Dramatic Association (founded in 1878). In 1882, a new venue for the Scottish Rite was sought and an existing building selected. The Indianapolis Scottish Rite “Special Committee on Buildings” favored the Townsley and Wiggins “Pork House.” Yes, a slaughterhouse and processing plant for pork.

Photo of the charred remains. Indianapolis Scottish Rite – converted pork house.

To be continued…