New England Masonic Charitable Institute

United States historic place

Significant dates

New England Masonic Charitable Institute
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
NH State Register of Historic Places


43°44′22″N 71°00′42″W / 43.73956°N 71.01153°W / 43.73956; -71.01153
Built	1858
Architectural style	Italianate
NRHP reference No.	100004415^[1]
Added to NRHP	September 19, 2019
Designated NHSRHP	April 29, 2002^[2]

The New England Masonic Charitable Institute is a historic building on Town House Road in Effingham, New Hampshire. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019,^[1] and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2002.^[2]

It was founded by the Charter Oak Lodge No. 58 of Free and Accepted Masons. Although some Masonic buildings in other states provided space for schools on their first floors, this is the only school in the United States known to have been run by the Masons.^[3]

It is a two-and-a-half story building, built in Italianate style. The Lodge's temple space within the building have trompe-l'œil murals painted by Boston painter Philip A. Butler. The murals depict classic sculptures, architectural details and Masonic symbols, including the All-Seeing Eye. The murals were water-damaged in the late 1980s but have since been restored.^[3]

The building now houses the public library for the town of Effingham.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b "Weekly List 20190919 - National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)".
^ ^a ^b "New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places". New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "Only U.S. school founded by Masons named to National Register". The Conway Daily Sun. North Conway, New Hampshire. October 14, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
^ "Effingham Public Library". NH.us. Retrieved November 26, 2020.