June 21, 2018

To:       The Honorable Wilbert M Curtis, Grand Master, and Brothers:

Subject:            2018 Library Museum Annual Report

Greetings:

Since the 141st Grand Session, there have been a number of activities that have occurred inside and outside the WMCTPHLM. They are as follows:

  • We received and accepted the resignation of Professional Archivist Don Gross July 2015
  • Conducted more than 45 research projects on behalf of RW Grand Secretary T.C. Bittle and various other individuals on former members and lodges within the MWPGHGL of Texas and its Jurisdiction.
  • Distributed Lapel Pins to contributors of the Gold, Silver, & Bronze Pledge Campaign.
  • Funding for the Library Museum this year has been dismal to say the least. A total of $2,400.00 was received toward the pledge campaign.  Some additional funds of approximately $600.00 were received through donations..
  • There is still $1,350.00 in unpaid pledges under the Gold, Silver & Bronze Pledge Campaign.
  • Conducted video interviews with HPGM Norris L. McVea, Sr. (1) and P.M. Lawrence Foster (192). Both members with 40 plus years of membership with the MWPHGL of Texas.
  • Provided Videos and Photos of Services of HPGM Ulysses Watkins (506) and P.M. CW Bankston (1).
  • Prior to the midway point of the year, funding became extremely low in the LM account. The committee reduced the workdays of the Archivist from four days to three days. Grand Master Curtis restore her work schedule back to four days per week.
  • The Grand Lodge board of directors has agreed to return the funding from $3.00 per man to $5.00 per man. This should generate an additional $7,000.00 in funding and will help with our annual operating expense of $15,000.00 per year.  However, this will still limit us in expanding our displays and improving the development of the LM.  Additional funding will be needed.  We need grant writers and some additional funding sources.

 

Brothers, this is a long term project that needs resources, expertise and a time commitment to identify Local and Grand lodge members and archives. A large core of our Masonic records are either misplaced or destroyed. . A large number of you have archives in your houses, storage building, in your lodge filing cabinets, and other places that you will never access again. Some archives are in public buildings such as school, public libraries, churches and regrettably, the landfill. Some of you know where there are pictures and documents of some of our former leaders. Let us know where they can be found, and then our committee will attempt to obtain them. How can we tell “Our Own Story” successfully unless each and every one of you helps us obtain those archives? Rest assure, they are more important to us, than they are to anyone else. Library Museum cannot function without financial support. So, if it’s within the length of your cable tow, support your Library Museum.

 

Fraternally submitted,

 

Committee on Archives and Research

 

Benny Tucker #103                  Frank Jackson #85                   Burrell Parmer #1

Eddie Broadway #14                Robert Calloway #9                  Charles Gray #85

Manual Gamarra #659              Tracy Williams #20                  Tommy Hendricks #151