The House of the Temple

The House of the Temple

I recently rode to the The House of the Temple, which is the national headquarters of Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jursidiction, of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  Actually, the full name is “The Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America.”Its architecture is an adaptation of the famous Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.”  The exterior of the building stands 130 feet high, the top of which is surrounded by Ionic columns that rise to a magnificent stepped pyramid roof. The front of the building features two impressive sphinxes carved on site from limestone by famed sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, who is best-known for designing the Walking Liberty and Winged Mercury coins. The rear of the building is a dramatic rotunda.  Located at 1733 16th Street (MAP) in the DuPont Circle neighborhood of D.C., the Temple was completed in 1915, and  has been open to the public for guided tours since it opened.  I recommend it as a worthwhile way to see the Temple, as well as a way  to learn about Freemasonry.

    
[Click on the thumbnails above to view the full size photos]