American Apron

White Leather Apron / Blue Lodge

A candidate, upon his initiation as an Entered Apprentice, is presented with a white leather apron and is told that it is the badge of a Mason. This apron remains in the possession of a Mason throughout his life.

Swedish Apron

Sixth Degree of Swedish Rite

The sixth degree is “Knight of the East”. The “Knight of the East,” proper, depicts the erection of the Second Temple by the Israelites at Jerusalem when they were released from captivity at Babylon by Cyrus the Great, King of Persia.

This degree is the “Knight of the Red Cross,” the tenth degree of the York Rite. It is one of the degrees founded on Revelations of St. John depicting the New Jerusalem with its twelve gates. It is the fifteenth degree of the Scottish Rite and the sixth degree of the French Rite.

Scottish Apron

18th Degree Rose Croix Apron/ Scottish Rite

This apron has two sides, displayed during two stages of the work of the 18th Degree. The front shows a pelican piercing its breast to feed its young beneath a red cross.

The rear is black with a red passion cross.
 

American Apron

Royal Arch Masonic Apron

This Royal Arch Masonic apron dates from the early nineteenth century, and was popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The design on the front of the apron is the shield of Jeshua, the High Priest. It is supported by two angels and bears on its face the symbols of the four principal tribes of Israel, Emprahim as shown by (the ox), Judah (the lion), Reuben (the man) and Dan (the eagle).

Beneath the shield of Jeshua is the depiction of the three principal officers of the chapter: the King (symbolized by the crown), the High Priest (the mitre of the High Priest) and the Scribe (the turban).

The three officers are symbolically shown on the Ark of the Covenant, in which the secrets of Royal Arch Masonry are preserved. Beneath the Ark are the working tools of Royal Arch Masonry: the crow, the pickaxe, and the shovel.
 

English Apron

Blue Lodge Apron
 
Masonic aprons in England and France (as well as many of the European countries) are distinguishable by the use of wide colored borders and rosettes.
This is a typical apron worn by a Blue Lodge mason in England.

English Apron

Royal Arch Apron

The English Royal Arch apron is distinguished from the Blue Lodge apron by the addition of bands of red or maroon on the border and in the rosettes.
In many European jurisdictions, the Royal Arch is part of the Blue Lodge.

English Apron

Provincial Grand Lodge Apron/ West Kent, England

Elaborate leather apron with blue border and gold tassel. There are 46 provincial Grand Lodges, which united to form the Grand Lodge of England. The shield of the lodge is displayed in the center of the apron.

American Apron

Early 19th Century Apron/Blue Lodge

Aprons during the early 1800s were often made and decorated by wives of members and amateur artists in the community. This silk apron is hand-painted with the All-Seeing Eye in the bib and a depiction of Father Time holding the locks of a maiden while she weeps at a broken column—one of the symbols of the Third Degree.
 

American Apron

Grand High Priest/Royal Arch
 
This is one of a set of aprons for the officers of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch masons of Minnesota. The insignia of the office is in the center of the apron within a laurel wreath.

American Apron

Knights Templar in Minnesota

The Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the U.S.A., one of the York Rite bodies of Freemasonry was established in 1816. Grand Commanderies are chartered by the Grand Encampment for each state and in turn charter constituent commmanderies. Damascus Commandery #1, Minnesota’s first Commandery, was chartered in 1856.

Over the years, 40 commanderies existed in Minnesota. Tracing its ritual to the times of the crusades, American Knights Templar wore a black triangular apron adorned with crossed swords and Skull and Crossbones prior to the Civil War. In the late 19th century, commanderies adopted the black military “long coat” uniform.

The uniform of the modern templar takes two forms: the WWII era CPO coat with sword and chapeau, and the cap and mantel with sword.

The sword is the principal “trademark” of a Knight Templar. With one exception, all commanderies issue ceremonial military-type straight-bladed swords. Minneapolis Mounted Commandery #23 is unique in that it carries sabers, a tradition dating back to its inception as a cavalry-type horse troop. Member of this Commandery later formed the Zuhrah Horsemen.
 

American Apron

Triangle Apron/Knight Templar

Knights Templar wore this black velvet apron with silver border and symbolic metal skull and crossbones and crossed swords in the mid-19th century. The apron was discontinued and replaced by military-style uniforms.
 

American Apron

Prince Hall Grand Master’s Apron

The Grand Lodge of Minnesota recognizes Prince Hall Masonry, which split from the Grand Lodge of England during the early years of Masonry in the United States. Morris S. Miller who served as Grand Master from 1980-1992 wore this apron.

American Apron

Odd Fellows Apron/ 19th Century
 
This apron is silk with a silver tassel border. Symbols of the order are hand-painted in gold and red. The symbols include the hourglass, beehive, a chain of three links, globe, bow and arrows and a hand holding a heart. The three links represent Friendship, Love and Truth. The structure of the Odd Fellows bears many similarities to Masonry.

American Apron

Linen Apron/ Blue Lodge

The symbolism, found on many of the more elaborate aprons, is printed on a square of linen. It consists of the Square, Compass, and G, with the All-Seeing Eye on the flap. Dealers in Masonic paraphernalia used items such as this apron as samples.

American Apron

Past Worshipful Masters Apron/Blue Lodge

This elaborate apron contains the symbol of office of the major officers of the Lodge arranged in the border. Beginning on the left the symbols are; plumb: Junior Warden, square, compass, sun: Senior Deacon, Square: Worshipful Master, square, compass, moon: Junior Deacon, and level: Senior Warden.

American Apron

Past Worshipful Master/Blue Lodge

This is a white leather apron bordered in blue. The insignia of a Past Worshipful Master is a Compass with a Crescent. A representation of the Sun is found within the Compass.

American Apron

Early 19th Century Apron with Symbols/Blue Lodge

Among the most prized of early Masonic Aprons were those profusely adorned with the symbols of the three degrees. These aprons were virtual reminders of the many lessons found in the Masonic ritual.

We can find 37 symbols on this apron. How many can you find?

French Apron

Merci Boxcar Apron 

In 1947, the French filled boxcars with items as gifts to the American people for helping them survive World War II. There were 49 “merci” boxcars, also called the 40 and 8, as they carried 40 men or 8 horses in World War I and II.  One boxcar was given to each state and one to the District of Columbia. The Minnesota car is now located at Camp Ripley.

At some time, the items were removed and this Masonic apron was eventually given to the museum. Madam Merlin of 10 Bd de la Fraternite, Nantes, gave the apron. In a letter that accompanied the apron, Madam Merlin wrote the following, “This belonged to my husband who died a long time ago. He liked the Americans very much, and I am sure that he would be very glad to see me give it to you.”

English Apron

Provincial Grand Lodge

This apron is an English Provincial Grand Lodge apron, relating to the provinces of Leicester, Northampton, Derby and Rutland. Masonry in England is coordinated by 46 Provincial Grand Lodges, of which this is one. The Provincial Grand Lodge is responsible for coordinating the work among the Lodges and promoting the common good among them.