National Historic Sites of Canada Cost-Sharing Program
Project Name/recipient
Masonic Memorial Temple National Historic Site of Canada
Total Project Cost: $919,334.30
Parks Canada Contribution: $425,000
Project Description:
The Masonic Memorial Temple project includes both a preparatory project and a conservation project. The preparatory project will be undertaken to determine the condition of the building systems and structure in order to initiate mechanisms and scope of work to conserve its integrity. The conservation portion of the project consists of work on the roof, parapet and flashing as well as the restoration of the monumental doors on Sherbrooke Street.
Masonic Memorial Temple
More than seventy years after its official opening on February 12, 1930, the Masonic Memorial Temple in Montréal is still among the finest examples of the Beaux-Arts style in Canada. Designed by John S. Archibald, a Montréal architect of Scottish background, the building on Sherbrooke Street West, at the corner of St. Marc Street, and provides a meeting place for Quebec Freemasons.
Although the presence of Freemasons in Canada began in the 18th century, the first Masonic temples did not appear in the country until the early 19th century. The beliefs of this fraternal organization, whose members strive together toward a certain human ideal, have always been expressed allegorically in the ornamentation of its buildings. Classical architecture, traditionally associated with the notion of excellence, has thus been a suitable choice for Masonic temples.
The Beaux-Arts style of the Masonic Memorial Temple in Montréal superbly expresses the aspirations of its owners. Very respectful of classical antiquity, the ornamental elements of the main façade on Sherbrooke Street are intended as symbolic representations of Freemasons' beliefs, an elaborate system of codes and signals that are still recognized by members today. Thus, the building becomes an allegorical representation of Freemasonry's Enlightenment ideas, which used monumental classical architecture to symbolise its moral beliefs.
Cost-Sharing Program
Of the 949 national historic sites, 167 are owned by Parks Canada. Other owners of national historic sites include aboriginal groups, educational institutions, businesses, religious groups, private owners, and other levels of government.
The National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program is a contribution program that can pay up to 50% of eligible costs incurred by the owner to conserve a national historic site and present it to Canadians for their enjoyment and appreciation. Eligible recipients include other levels of government, not-for-profit organizations and not-for-profit aboriginal organizations.
Parks Canada places as a priority, the need to support, maintain and improve the health and wholeness - the commemorative integrity - of national historic sites of Canada. This role extends beyond sites owned by Parks Canada, to those owned by others, as part of our vision of engaging Canadians in our mandate of protecting and presenting Canada’s national historic sites.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
Canada's Economic Action Plan invests in heritage infrastructure at the Masonic Memorial Temple National Historic Site of Canada
