1908 Grand
Our venue proudly sits today on the corner of North Main Street and NE 3rd Avenue, a lot that the Freemasons purchased in 1902 from the Episcopal church. After the lodge raised enough funds, it was able to begin erecting and furnishing the building in September 1908. Today, after being transformed into an event space in 2021, each event space boasts a name that ties in the incredible history of our building and the Freemasons.
The Lodge of Gainesville was instrumental in laying the foundation for many of the buildings in Gainesville, including the Gainesville Courthouse in 1885 and the University of Florida Auditorium in 1922.
Grand Master Suite
As our bride, you are given the title of Grand Master. A Grand Master is a title of honor and an office in Freemasonry, given to a freemason elected to oversee a Masonic jurisdiction. The Grand Master presides over a Grand Lodge and has certain rights in the constituent Lodges that form his jurisdiction.
THe Schaffer Suite
R.T. Schaffer was the first Grand Master of the building. He was the cornerstone to the erection and furnishing of the building.
Room 77
For 77 consecutive weeks during WWII, our building was the only lodge in the country to open its doors and offer a free dormitory and breakfast room for servicemen stationed in the surrounding area. They would find men sleeping on the front lawn on Sunday mornings due to hotels being unable to accommodate them.
Grand orient ballroom
A Grand Lodge, also known as a Grand Orient, is the governing body of Freemasonry. Its published constitution defines the structure of Freemasonry and appoints Grand Officers from among its senior members. The head of a Grand Lodge is called the Grand Master, and other officers have "Grand" added to their titles.
