House of the Temple
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.
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The House of the Temple has 33 outer columns which are each 33 feet high. The outer design is simular to John Russell Pope's concept of the National Archives.
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SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY
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This marble sphinx guard is located at the main entrance.
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Upward view of the entrance to the House of the Temple.
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North exterior view of the House of the Temple. In 1931, the building was voted the fifth most beautiful building in the world by a group of members from the Association of American Architects.
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Double Headed eagle wings scarabeus are outward spread to indicate that this is the mother Supreme Council founded in 1801.
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Rear eastern exterior view of the House of the Temple.
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The double-headed eagle, the chief symbol of Scottish Rite is located on all the outside corners of the Scottish Temple. The crown represents the 33 degree level Mason. There is a subtle design element in shape of the wings which mimic the palmette (palm leaf) pattern that can be seen throughout the building.
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Bust of George Washington is located in the North garden of the Supreme Council Building.
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Bronze lion door knocker at the entrance to the House of the Temple.
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North western view of the Atrium. The marble table is disigned after a piece in Pompeii.
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Southwestern view of the Atrium.
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The Atrium is paved with Tavernelle marble, centered and bordered with verd antique marble.
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Doric columns of polished green Windsor granite.
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This wood chair is modeled after a High Priests seat in the theater of Dionysius. There is a carved eagle with Egyptian styled wings simular to ones seen throughout the building.
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