Cornerstones and Keystones: A Very Public Masonic Ceremony was a paper that found a home in the Philalethes Journal of Masonic Research and Letters. The paper allowed me to discuss an interest of mine within the culture of Freemasonry, that of the public ceremony of laying the cornerstone or keystone, and indeed the foundation stone of churches and civic buildings, a Masonic ceremony that took place in the public eye and the event thus commonly appeared in local newspapers.

The stones themselves, often still on display, intrigue many people (non-Masons and Masons alike) with the public display of symbolism and the mention of Masonic dignitaries. They are a historical record themselves, and the ceremonies were a common occurrence during the Victorian period in Britain when local Freemasons were involved in local charities, the building of schools, the building of churches, the Mechanics Institute and of course, the building of Masonic Halls.

The paper can be freely downloaded from the academia.edu site: https://www.academia.edu/24766277/Cornerstones_and_Keystones_A_Very_Public_Masonic_Ceremony_The_Philalethes_Journal_of_Masonic_Research_and_Letters_Vol.68_Winter_2015_pp.101-105

A stone found at Garston Masonic Hall, Liverpool.

Another stone found at Garston Masonic Hall, Liverpool.