An exhibit on Freemasonry shows that the Masons were thriving in Storm Lake. Although not technically a Masonic group, the Independent Order of Good Templars is included. The order was organized in Maple Valley Township (Hanover area) in 1872. People who drank were not allowed to join and members gathered in people’s homes to give readings, according to the display. The Good Templars still exists today with a slight name change. Unlike Masons, they allowed women to join.
A special display about Storm Lake’s Carnegie Library — now Santa’s Castle — includes a rare photo of the inside of the library. The area at far right is now where Santa sits.
The history of the Storm Lake Melody Club is contained in this case.
DeMolay, the Masonic youth organization once active in Storm Lake, sparked curiosity among some Catholic boys who were told it was a sin to join this group. This book of “Ritual Degrees and Ceremonies of the Order of DeMolay” reveals what this group was up to. Note the “examination queries” the DeMolays were required to memorize. And if any reader knows what “the grip” is, please let us know. To this day the Catholic Church forbids Catholics from joining the order because Freemasonry’s principles are deemed irreconcilable with Catholic doctrine.
A special display about Rembrandt includes photos like these. A vintage purple band uniform is a new part of the collection.
New displays in the cases in the north room at the Buena Vista County Historical Museum dig deep in the permanent collection to share interesting bits from the county’s past.
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