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Below is the first of two e-mails sent to my personal
SCMason's e-mail list on February 06, 2004 announcing Don's lecture at the
College of Charleston along with a press release.
Mel Sinclair
******************************
Brethren, I received the following College of Charleston press release from
Ill Bro Don Burbidge of Charleston. Bro Don will be speaking on "The Masonic
History of Charleston" on Friday, February 20, 2004 at the College of
Charleston's School of the Arts. See the press release after my message.
We wish Bro Don the very best as he has committed many, many unselfish hours of
his time in research to build quite a collection of works regarding Freemasonry
in Charleston. Don has received correspondence regarding his excellent works
from other Grand Jurisdictions in the USA, as well as from other parts of the
world.
Although Don has been published in the Scottish Rite Journal and other websites,
I have a collection of his work at the following website, if you are interested:
http://www.clansinclairsc.org/burbidge.htm
Call or write to Ill Bro Don Burbidge with your encouragement as he prepares to
represent Freemasonry at this meeting. His e-mail address is: PHOTO0027@aol.com
Fraternally and sincerely,
Mel Sinclair
List Owner
*********PRESS RELEASE***************
The Halsey Gallery Announces Exhibition of Art from Secret Fraternal
Organizations
The William Halsey Gallery at the College of Charleston's School of the Arts
will host an exhibition entitled Oft Unseen: Art from the Lodge and Other Secret
Societies, opening February 20th and continuing through March 20th, 2004. This
exhibition presents the Webb Collection of art, artifacts and ephemera from the
Freemasons and other secret fraternal organizations including The Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, Knights Templar, Order of Red Men and many others. The
Charleston Scottish Rite Center has provided additional materials featured in
the show. On Friday February 20th at 4PM there will be two lectures in Room 309
of the Simons Center for the Arts. The first lecture, "The International Lodge:
Fraternal Societies at the Center and Periphery of Empire from 1750 - 1900,"
will be delivered by Dr. Frank J. Karpiel, Visiting Asst. Professor, Department
of History, College of Charleston. Immediately following this will be
Illustrious Brother McDonald "Don" Burbidge's talk, "The Masonic History of
Charleston." Burbidge is a thirty-third degree Mason. There will be an opening
reception from 5 -7PM in the gallery. Bruce Webb, collector, will conduct a
gallery talk focusing on the history and significance of these objects at 6PM.
While not all of these organizations consider themselves truly secret societies
they can all be considered societies with secrets. This exhibition offers a rare
glimpse into the visual components of these mysterious and commonly
misunderstood organizations. Freemasonry has often been described as, "A system
of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated with symbols." Masonic symbols
and influence have extended far beyond the walls of the physical "Lodge" and
continue to permeate numerous aspects of our collective material culture and
social landscape.
By the turn-of-the-20th century there were over 300 different fraternal
organizations in America with six million members. Most, if not all of these,
were formed on, or in reaction to, the Masonic model. Their interpretations and
adaptations of the older Masonic rituals varied greatly from the subdued to
wildly fanciful. Many of these societies no longer exist. However, much of their
stunning material history remains. Bruce Webb, of Waxahachie, Texas, has been
collecting these items for the last fifteen years. In that time he has amassed a
collection of immense diversity and historical significance. Items from his
collection form the core of the exhibition. Supplementary artifacts have been
provided by the Charleston Scottish Rite Center. Charleston was the birthplace
of American Scottish Rite Freemasonry which celebrated their biennial in 2001.
Among the art and objects on display are elaborate painted backdrops, banners,
models, ritual ephemera, decorative woodwork, intricate theatrical regalia,
masks, and detailed charts, most dating from the late nineteenth to the early
twentieth centuries. The exhibition provides a historical background of the
Masons and other fraternal societies, explores how the objects were used in the
rituals of the lodge, and illuminates the complex meanings of the symbolism
embedded within.
The Halsey Gallery is located within the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St.
Philip Street, between Calhoun and George. Parking is available in the George
St. Garage. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 11 - 4 p.m., or by appointment. For
more information, contact the Halsey Gallery at (843) 953-5680. Learn more on
the web at http://www.cofc.edu/halseygallery.
*********************************
This e-mail list is for South Carolina Master Masons and other South Carolina
Masonic bodies. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: SCMasons-subscribe@topica.com
If you have any questions about this group, please contact Mel Sinclair, List
Owner, at: melsinclair1@yahoo.com
Do not respond the the above to subscribe: THIS LIST WAS SHUT DOWN
ON FEBRUARY 19, 2004.
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