WELCOME
The Masonic Museum of the Grand Lodge of Chile was founded in 1911 during the administration of Grand Master Bro Víctor Guillermo Ewing, when the headquarters were in the San Carlos’s Gallery in Santiago. At that time, the Masonic Museum resembled a cabinet of curiosities that was destroyed a large part of the Museum’s collections affected the headquarters.
In 1938, the existence of the Masonic Museum was officially recognized when it was incorporating into the General Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Chile, promulgated by Grand Master Bro. Hermógenes del Canto Aguirre
During this new period, the Museum was directed by Bro. Óscar Valenzuela Muñoz and was enriched by a valuable donation by Bro Roberto Orihuela Salas, a notable collector. The Masonic Museum then became a collection of heritage objects and was installed in the Grand Lodge of Chile’s headquarters on Alameda de las Delicias
In the 1980s, the museum took on a new character under the direction of Bro Francisco Söhr Strassmann It was relocated to the basement of the building at 659, Marcoleta st. and by first time began organizing several travels exhibitions to bring the Museum’s cultural heritage to other regions of Chile
In 1997, during the administration of Grand Master Bro. Marino Pizarro, the Museum opened its doors to the public and began participating in the Heritage´s Day celebrations, welcoming a many visitors
Since 2018, during the administration of Grand Master Bro. Sebastián Jans and under the direction of the Grand Librarian and Archivist, Bro. Antonio Ordoñez Urbina, the Grand Lodge of Chile has implemented an active politics by the protection of Masonic heritage, professionalizing this area. For the first time, the Museum applied for and was awarded projects funded by the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, which allowed for the implementation of conservation packaging and furniture This marked the beginning of the process of registering and documenting the collection, as well as rehabilitating the exhibition room’s museography to enhance the museum’s educational and meaningful experience, while optimizing the conservation and security of the displayed artifacts under the latest museological standards and methodologies. Today, the Masonic Museum opens its doors to the community free of charge, participating in cultural events and campaigns such as Heritage Day and Museum´s Week It also promotes its heritage digitally, having expanded its presence to social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, engaging with both national and international communities.
Universal Freemasonry
Freemasonry in Latin America
The Grand Lodge of Chile: Founding Lodges
The Grand Lodge of Chile: Grand Masters
Freemasonry in Chile: San Martín, O’Higgins, and Blanco Encalada
Art and Freemasonry
Masonic certificate and Documents
Masonic vestments
Freemasonry in Chile: Masonic Presidents
Tolerance
UNIVERSAL FREEMASONRY
Freemasonry emerged in the early 18th century with a revolutionary proposal at this time: the acceptance of different religious beliefs based on active tolerance Europe had endured nearly two centuries of "Religious Wars," and it was within this historical context that Freemasonry evolved from the ancient guilds of stonemasons and cathedral builders of the Middle Age It inherited their traditions and secrets and came to regard as a child of the Enlightenment
Freemasonry is distinguished as a moral, initiatory, and philosophical institution, whose aim is for its members to work on themselves through ethical and value-based development. The first Masonic body that was founded in a “regular” manner was the Grand Lodge of London & Westminster, formed by four lodges on June 24, 1717, at the Goose & Gridiron Alehouse Another significant milestone occurred in 1723, with the publication of Anderson's Constitutions, which outlined the fundamental principles and rules of the organization
Since its origins, one of Freemasonry’s essential goals as a human institution has been to recognize the diversity of its members’ backgrounds social, religious, and cultural and to promote harmonious and fraternal coexistence These principles are enshrined in the organization’s core values, which are expressed in the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, a triad of fundamental values embodied in virtues such as charity, philanthropy, and tolerance.
Freedom of Thought
FREEMASONRY IN LATIN AMERICA
Contemporary historiography identifies Freemasons as Bro José de San Martín and Bro. Carlos María de Alvear as key thinkers and players, who brought the libertarian ideas of independence and the Republican ideal to life through the Lautaro Lodges
In the second half of the 18th century, the first sign of Masonic activity began to appear in South America, both in the Captaincy General of Chile and in the Viceroyalties of the Río de la Plata and Peru Research conducted in the archives of the Inquisition reveals that, during that time, individuals were prosecuted for the "crime of Freemasonry," providing evidence of the existence and operation of the St John s Lodges.
The Masonic ideals that arrived in Latin America in the early 18th century introduced not only ideas of independence, but also the vision of social progress and modernization.
Fraternity THE GRAND LODGE OF CHILE: FOUNDING LODGES
Starting in 1850, the process of establishing the first Masonic lodges in Chile began. Thanks to the efforts of a group of Frenchmen who decided to meet in Valparaíso, L’Étoile du Pacifique Lodge was created Four years later, on 14th December 1853, British and American Freemasons, with a charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, founded Bethesda Lodge. That same year, a group of Chileans lead by Manuel de Lima decided to establish a distinctly Chilean lodge Thus, on July 27, 1853, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of France, Unión Fraternal Lodge was founded.
On May 24, 1862, the Grand Lodge of Chile was founded in Valparaíso during a meeting attended by the following lodges: Unión Fraternal Lodge N°1, founded in Valparaíso on July 27, 1853; Fraternidad Lodge N°2 , founded in Concepción on May 24, 1862; Orden y Libertad Lodge No 3, founded in Copiapó on January 11, 1862 & Progreso Lodge No 4, founded in Valparaíso on April 19, 1862.
At the end of 1862, the Grand Lodge of Chile obtained international recognition thanks to the support of Bethesda Lodge in Valparaíso and the endorsement of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Since then, it has been part of the international Masonic community as a founding and permanently active member of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation and other bodies that guarantee its regularity Today, it remains active throughout the entire country, from Arica to Punta Arenas.
Fraternity
THE GRAND LODGE OF CHILE: GRAND MASTERS
The Grand Master is the supreme head of Freemasonry within the national territory
His primary duty is to uphold the normality, regularity, and proper observance of the Masonic rite within the Grand Lodge of Chile, as well as in its constituent lodges and triangles, ensuring the effective formation of Freemasons
JUAN JOSÉ
LATORRE BENAVENTE: ADMIRAL OF THE CHILEAN NAVY AND MASTER MASON
He received the degrees of Fellowcraft and Master Mason in the same lodge, Unión Fraternal No 1, where he established ties with distinguished figures of the Navy as well as with leading personalities from the political and literary spheres of his time.
At the age of 47, on August 28, 1897, he was elevated to the 33rd Degree and appointed Grand Chancellor of the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree In 1907, he went on to serve as the highest authority of that body, consolidating his prominence within Chilean philosophical Freemasonry In tribute to his memory, on May 23, 1965, in the city of Chillán, Chapter IX Degree No 15 “Juan José Latorre” was founded, perpetuating his legacy
Today, his figure forms part of the historical heritage of the Gran Logia de Chile, not only as a public but as a Beloved Brother whose memory bears witness to the connection between Freemasonry, national history, and civic formation in Chile. He was also a founding and honorary member of the Valparaíso Lifeboat Service
In this exhibition, objects belonging to Admiral Juan José Latorre, from the Museo Marítimo Nacional, are presented, which allow us to approach into his human dimension and his historical and Masonic legacy.
Juan José Latorre Benavente (Santiago, March 24, 1846 – Viña del Mar, July 9, 1912) is recognized in Chilean history for his distinguished naval career and his role in the War of the Pacific However, less well known though of great historical and patrimonial significance is his trajectory within Chilean Freemasonry, where he embodied the principles of fraternity, duty, moral discipline, and service to the Republic
He was initiated on August 3, 1867, at the age of 21, in the Respectable Lodge Unión Fraternal No 1, while serving as a Second Lieutenant in the Navy From then on, he developed an active Masonic life parallel to his public career. His membership in the Order was not merely nominal: he participated consistently in lodge work and adhered to the ideals of freedom of conscience, education, secularism, and progress values that shaped both his thought and his actions.
Beauty
ART AND FREEMASONRY
In Chile, Masonic visual artists, musicians, poets, and writers began to gain prominence in the early 20th century, in parallel with international trends and artistic avant-gardes The work of some of these members across various artistic disciplines has been both valuable and widely recognized. Among them stand out:
Fernando Emilio Daza Osorio
The foremost representative of Chilean muralism, he was influenced by Mexican painters, particularly Jorge González Camarena He trained at the Chilean Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under masters such as Marta Colvin, Pablo Burchard, and Gregorio de la Fuente. His most notable murals include: “Tribute from the City of Santiago to Gabriela Mistral”, located beside Santa Lucía Hill; “To the Workers”, at the Sumar Factory; “The Search”, in the Main Hall of the Club de la República in Santiago; “The Bolivarian Dream”, in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. His entire Masonic life unfolded in Logia Germinación No 81 in Santiago
Beauty
ART AND FREEMASONRY
Luigi Stefano Giarda Giudice
Italian Composer, cellist, and music professor at the National Conservatory In 1901, he composed the opera Lord Byron, and in 1942, he wrote the Masonic Hymn of Chile, with lyrics by Bro. Tomás de la Barra. In 1912, he received an international award for his work as a composer
He began his Masonic journey in “Losanna” Lodge No 205, in Naples In Chile, he was a member of “Aurora de Italia” Lodge No. 24 and founder of “Giordano Bruno” Lodge No 17, where he served as Worshipful Master He later held the office-bearer of Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Chile. In 1998, “Luigi Stefano Giarda” Lodge No. 179 was founded as tribute to his achievements
Tomás de la Barra
He studied law at the University of Chile. One of his most significant contributions was writing the lyrics to the Masonic Hymn, set to music by Bro Luigi Stefano Giarda The hymn emphasized the values of fraternity, truth, justice, and freedom It was sung in the temples of the Grand Lodge of Chile until the early 20th century, when it was replaced by Mozart’s Masonic hymn, which remains in use today
He was initiated in 1899 at “Estrella de Chile” Lodge No. 17. In 1904, he joined to “Aurora de Italia” Lodge No 24, where he became Worshipful Master In 1906, he was elected to Grand Master’s Council and appointed Keeper of Seals and Stamps of the Grand Lodge In 1913, he was awarded with the Scottish Rite´s 33rd degree and elected Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Chilean Supreme Council While in Scotland in 1918, as Consul settled in Glasgow, he affiliated with Montefiore Lodge No 753 and later with St. John Lodge No. 3 of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and in 1922, he joined at the Supreme Council A & ASR for Scotland
MASONIC CERTIFICATE AND DOCUMENTS
These diplomas are documents that convey identity, help reconstruct the history, and symbolize critical events in the lives of Freemasons and their lodges They also serve as a form of recognition a Masonic path, honoring merit and service through various offices held. Many of these documents, which hold great heritage value, were granted to prominent figures in Chilean history who were members of our institution Recognized by their signatures, they left an indelible legacy over the years.
The mottoes and emblems found on Masonic diplomas are key elements of Freemasonry, as they express ethical concepts and ideals that define the institution. The emblem, or badge, has a collective character and serves as an identifying mark of universal Freemasonry, of a particular lodge, or of a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient
The badge is crafted and engraved on various materials using different woodcuts and printing techniques It features rich iconography, symbolically and artistically rendered, which reflects the historical context of the time in which it was created.
The motto most frequently seen on Chilean diplomas before 1900 as follows: A. .U. .T. .O. .S. .A. .G. ., which stands for "Ad Universi Terrarum Orbis Summi Architecti Gloriam" (To the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe) After 1900, this was replaced by its Spanish translation: A ·L ·G ·D·G · A ·D·U·, meaning "A la Gloria del Gran Arquitecto del Universo".
MASONIC VESTMENTS
The Masonic apron is a garment that developed from the aprons worn by Stonemasons during the Middle Ages Its original function was to protect the wearer and their clothing from the harsh demands of manual labour Today, it s a symbolic garment whose design and decoration for each Craft´s degree is regulated by the Grand Lodge of Chile and carry an initiatory meaning to correspond to the Craft´s degree of the wearer
Aprons used in Chile during the 19th century followed the old European custom: each Mason would acquire an apron with the design he preferred, and the size and decoration weren´t regulated Later, lodges adopted the practice of making specially at Masters Masons Regalia, which could include the name of their lodge. However, the apron received at initiation be always white leather
Regarding the aprons wore by the Grand Master and his Grand OfficeBearers, Article 49 of the Statutes of the Masonic Order, approved by the Grand Lodge of Chile during the administration of Grand Master Bro Víctor Guillermo Ewing in 1907, states: "...they shall wear a white moiré apron, edged with a scarlet ribbon and bearing a star at the middle, which for the Grand Master shall be embroidered in gold bullion and in silver for the Grand Office-Bearers and Grand Lodge s members"
These aprons were use until Grand Master Bro. Eugenio Matte Hurtado, by decree in 1931, replaced them, establishing the currently characteristics