In the heart of the nation's capital, stands one of the city's most beautiful monuments. It's been called a marvel of architecture, a wonder in stone, the spirit of the Scottish Rite captured for a moment in time.
The House of the Temple is a Masonic temple  which serves as the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. It is located at the corner of 16th Street and S Street in the northwest section of the city. The Temple was modeled after the Mausoleum of Maussollos (a provincial king in the Persian Empire). Ground was broken on May 31, 1911 and the cornerstone was laid on October 18, 1911. The building was dedicated four years later on October 18, 1915. An alcove in the temple holds the remains of Confederate general and noted freemason Albert Pike.
| 24k Gold leaf inlay ceiling. 
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 | 24k Gold leaf inlay ceiling. 
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 | Gold clock mounted on faux plaster. The craftsmen really made it look like marble. 
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| The tomb of John Henry Cowles, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1921 - 1952. * 
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 | Pillars of Charity. 33 beams of light radiate from the eagle down to the exterior view of the House of the Temple. 
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 | The tomb of Albert Pike, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1859 -1891. 
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| George Washington Memorial Banquet Hall. 
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 | Painting of George Washington's Inauguration as the 1st President of the United States, April 30. 1789. * 
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 | A closeup view of a painted clock reveals the time of President Washington's Innauguration at 12:35pm. 
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| George Washington Laying the Cornerstone of the United States Capitol, September 18, 1793 
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 | A closeup view of George Washington in Masonic Regalia laying the Cornerstone of the United States Capitol building. * 
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 | Southeastern poduim view of the George Washington Banquet Hall 
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| Cornerstone Hall of Freedom - United States Capitol Cornerstone Bicentennial Celebration. 
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 | Cornerstone Hall of Freedom - The replica cornerstone used for the United States Capitol Bicentenial Celebration on October 23, 1993. 
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 | Cornerstone Hall of Freedom - The Masonic aprons used during the Cornerstone Celebration. 
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