Ancient and Accepted

Memphis Heritage gave a tour of the Scottish Rite "Cathedral" for members (we just became members, and this is the organization that advocates for building preservation...not some nefarious use of the word "heritage"). So yeah, we got to check out this big old masonic building! It's still in use too, but I guess they meet once a month so it looks vacant most of the time. Most of the second floor is taken up by this theater (they seem to put on little morality plays related to each of their "degrees"). But it has this complicated system of three dimensional backdrop curtains that have all been there since the place was built (in 1909). (Also, a scene in Walk the Line was filmed there so now I feel I should see that movie at some point maybe.) I didn't know anything about how the different types ("rites") of freemasonry work and how they're related to each other so we got some info on that. There are also tons of little hat boxes around the building for their goofy hats. Anyway, it was fun to get to see the old "mysterious" building.