T.S. Akers surveys historic Templar photos
When I was conducting research for my book Knights on the Prairie: A History of Templary in Oklahoma in 2012, I made a startling discovery. I quickly learned that the state of our Masonic photo archives across the state was actually quite poor. Upon being appointed Curator of Collections at the McAlester Valley of the Ancient and Accept Scottish Rite in 2014, the reality of the condition of our Masonic photo archives was only further cemented. I immediately knew that something had to be done to rectify this before our historic photos were lost.
It was in
2013 that the worst case scenario struck the Masonic bodies of Okmulgee. After 87 years on the top floor of the
McCullough Building, a fire considerably damaged the meeting hall of Gethsemane
Commandery No. 25. That particular
Commandery of Knights Templar had a long history of award winning drill teams
and possessed numerous photos of those famed drill teams. Fortunately, the fire was reasonably contained
and those historic photos were not lost.
Unfortunately, the fire forced Gethsemane Commandery No. 25 to
consolidate with Muskogee Commandery No. 2 in 2014.
Knowing that
we were just one fire, tornado, or flood away from losing a great deal of our state’s
Masonic history, I began to explore a partnership with the Oklahoma Historical
Society in 2015. As Grand Captain
General of Knights Templar of Oklahoma, I initially only sought to preserve historic
Oklahoma Templar photos. Our Grand High
Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Clyde Schoolfield, also saw the benefit of this
initiative; which expanded the project to preserve all historic York Rite
photos.
To date, the
partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society has resulted in over 30
historic Masonic photos being preserved.
The photos are actually donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society,
where they will be stored in perpetuity, who in turn scans the images. The photos will be available to researchers
through the Oklahoma Historical Society of course, but copies are also provided
to the Grand York Rite bodies at no charge.
To view the online
archive please follow the link: Oklahoma Masonic Photos
1925 Templar Parade Marshals, Tulsa
