Episode 89. 18:53 Working Tools Series: The Masonic Home

This year’s Masonic Charities Gala (9/27) will be showcasing the Minnesota Masonic Home. Since its inception a century ago, our Home’s mission has been to provide quality care and services to aging adults.

What were circumstances like in the early 20th century, when the world had yet to establish dedicated eldercare? This week’s episode showcases how it all came together, with collaboration between horse breeder Marion Savage, the Grand Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, and many others.  

“The building of this home affords a great solace to the members of our fraternity, who are thus assured that in case of misfortune, incident to old age or otherwise, they will find here a haven of rest provided for them, where they will be securely protected from the storms of life.” -Bro. Gideon Ives

Transcript

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For over a century, The Minnesota Masonic home has been a place of dignity and exceptional care for those in need. The Masonic Homes mission is to provide compassionate quality care and services to aging adults. Guided by the principles of our Masonic founders, Informed by best practices in healthcare and the collective experience of a century of service. Your Masonic Home has been nationally recognized as a top facility in our state. this year, the Masonic Charities gala will be Saturday, September 27th in Dan Patch Hall. With the focal point being on the legacy of compassion and care at the Minnesota Masonic home ahead of this year's gala. Let's revisit one of our favorite Masonic books with a passage from Centen published in 1953 with some history of the Minnesota Masonic home. The greatest single undertaking of the fraternity in this jurisdiction was the building of the Masonic home at Bloomington on the Minnesota. It was the realization of an ambition that had been in the hearts of Masons as far back as 1860 when it was first spoken of in this grand lodge. From the very beginning of this undertaking, the Masons had both the moral and financial support of the order of the Eastern Star. It meant the raising of a very large sum of money, which could not be accomplished without the wholehearted cooperation of all those interested in the purposes of the home, The actual acquiring of a site in the building of the home was never the most important consideration, sufficient funds for that purpose, it was felt, could always be accumulated within a reasonable time. The number one problem was the support and maintenance of the home after it was built. This required a permanent endowment fund. Some other plan that would produce a guaranteed income upon which the home could be perpetuated forever. At the Grand Annual communication of January, 1906, Gideon Ives, a lawyer of St. Peter, Lieutenant Governor in 18 91, 92, member of Nicolette Lodge at St. Peter and Grandmaster in 1901 Introduced a resolution which was adopted. IT provided that the incoming grand Master, who was Thomas Morris appoint a committee of 12 whose duty it shall be to organize and perfect a corporation under the laws of Minnesota having for its object, the accumulation of a fund for the erection and maintenance of a Masonic home in this jurisdiction. It further provided that in addition to the Grand Lodge, the following organizations be represented on the committee, namely the Grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Grand Commander of Knight's Templar, the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, the Ancient and accepted Scottish Rite and the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. it further set forth that the articles of incorporation to be prepared and adopted by the committee shall provide among other things. First, that the building of such homes shall not be commenced until at least$100,000 shall be secured, That at least 50,000 of which shall be reserved as a permanent endowment fund. Second, that the general plan for the accumulation of such funds shall be through voluntary contributions, gifts be requests, deposits in trust, and through such other means as the bylaws of the corporation may provide. Third, that such committee shall constitute the first board of trustees of the corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting. The committee appointed by Grand Morris was comprised of some very prominent members of our organization and within the state. This committee held its first meeting in October, 1906 and organized the Minnesota Masonic Home Corporation. At this meeting, the articles of incorporation were drafted and approved and bylaws adopted. Gideon Ives was elected president. It was a coincidence that in the same year the committee founded the Home Corporation, 1906, Mr. Marion w. Savage of Minneapolis, presidents of the International Stock Food Company built a beautiful colonial mansion on the North Ridge of the Minnesota River Valley, which about 12 years later became i's Lodge. The first of the home buildings and the site of the Masonic home, the Savage Estate comprised 271 acres of beautifully wooded land in Bloomington Township, Hennepin County, along the Minnesota River in one of the most picturesque beauty spots of the state. The mansion from its elevated position commanded a rare view of the most delightful landscape, stretching across and away along the valley. Mr. Savage was also the owner and breeder of Race Horses and was the owner of the celebrated Pacer Dan Patch, whose record of one minute, 55 seconds for the Mile, had never been equaled before or since. At the writing of this book in 1953, the Savage Farm was across the river on the south side and consisted of about 700 acres of land. Stables equipped in the most complete manner for the breeding and training of horses. There was also a mile open track for exercising and speeding, and also a one half mile, completely enclosed track for use in winter when the weather would not permit fast. Driving on the open track the farm with its many well-constructed buildings could be seen down in the valley, across the river from the portico of the mansion on the North Ridge. Dan Patch the most famous harness horse in the Annals of American race horses, died on July 11th, 1916. His equally famous owner died on the following day. At the meeting of the board in January, 1918, the secretary's report showed that the minimum of$100,000 required by the articles had been accumulated. In fact, there was$102,544 in the treasury. It was remarked at this meeting that the order of the Eastern Star, through its grand and subordinate chapters and individual members had contributed approximately one third of this fund on account of the war and the government's campaigns for the patriotic investment in Liberty bonds. The perspective increase in the home fund by contributions had to be put on a conservative basis, at least for this year. However, there was nothing to prevent the consideration of a suitable site for the home, which matter now engaged the attention of the trustees. The savage estate was for sale and was offered to the board. it was believed that if the property could be purchased at a price commensurate with its proposed use, it would make a very desirable and suitable location. The offers of several other sites were also considered, the board was not in favor of any large investment in a site preferring to acquire acreage at a nominal cost and to keep its funds for investment in the buildings. In order to make it possible for the board to consider the Savage property, the twin city lodges and chapters pledged themselves to raise$50,000 for this purchase. On the strength of this support, the board agreed to purchase the property for 55,000, which was approved by the probate court on February 4th, 1919, and the sale consummated and deed delivered on February 7th of the same year. The sale included the 271 acres of land, the savage home, and its furnishings. The home was officially opened on July 3rd, 1920, with an appropriate ceremony, which was attended by a large assembly of Masons and ladies of the Eastern Star, the presidents of the board, Gideon Ives presided. who was actually the founder of the home. It was he who framed the organization, which made everything else possible. He worked faithfully for 15 years to bring about a realization of what he had set out to do. And retired from the board in January, 1921. At the age of 75, the Savage Mansion was named i's Lodge as a memorial to him. Stuart Gamble of Minneapolis was elected to take his place and assume the office of president of the board in that year. The grand chapter order of the Eastern Star had pledged itself to raise$75,000 for the furnishings of the new buildings, and promised to have that sum ready and held in trust until the buildings were complete and ready to be equipped. Theodore Worth the superintendent of Parks for the city of Minneapolis. The man who was most largely responsible for the beautiful landscaping of that city's parks and Lakeside Boulevards offered his services gratuitously to superintendent, the landscaping of the extensive ground surrounding the home. Brother Wirth was a member of Hennepin Lodge, number four of Minneapolis. On May 18th, 1926, the cornerstone of the new main guest lodge was laid with a ceremony conducted by the officers of the Grand Lodge with Grandmaster Albert p Prey presiding. The new buildings were opened and dedicated. September 3rd, 1927, in a ceremony conducted by Grandma William Smith, assisted by the Grand Lodge officers before a very appreciative assembly of over 5,000 masons and ladies of the Eastern Star and their friends. Perhaps the most heartfelt address on this occasion was that given by our aging and most venerable Gideon Ives. they were his last remarks at any Masonic ceremony, and he said, the building of this home affords a great solace to the members of our fraternity. Who are thus assured that in case of misfortune incident to old age or otherwise, they will find here a haven of rest provided for them where they will be securely protected from the storms of life, unquote. He lived to see his dream come true and passed on to his reward a little more than three months later on December 20, 19, 27. We want you with us at this year's gala. Your attendance and support will directly impact the daily quality of life For our residents, which extends well beyond basic care, log on to mn masonic charities.org for more info and sign. We will see you on September 27th in Dan Patch Hall.