Preserving History- The Masonic Lodge Signatures

Note: this is not the Carleton Place Canadian signatures– these are the ones at the back door of the Masonic Lodge on Albert Street. Thanks to Paul Todd

You might see what seems duplicate photos in this series, maybe they are — but I wanted each and every signature to be seen. Why? Paul Todd saved these signatures from being painted over as he felt this was an important part of the Lodge history– local history.

Did you know we have signatures on the walls of the Carleton Place Town Hall? Then there are the signatures from those that worked at the Carleton Place Canadian building on Bridge Street. I have written about names etched in the pews at St. James Anglican Church. Etched signatures in bricks of the Leslie girls in the back of the the Leslie/ Comba building on Bridge Street. History is everywhere if you look closely.

The importance of preserving history makes up a big part of what we have today at present and what will still happen in the future. This is the reason why I document history, why Jennifer Fenwick Irwin from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Museum does what she does. – so that children, at a young age or any age, could be aware of what has transpired ages ago and how it affected our society, culture, people, and life today.

Since I was 14, no matter where I lived, local history was number one for me. It’s all about the future remembering the past. Imagine future generations with no recollection of where they came from. Thank you to all of you that donate photos and memories. None of us can do this without you. What great work for us all to preserve now what may be impossible to find in just a few years.

Author’s Notes –Linda Knight Seccaspina, is the granddaughter of Frederick J Knight (middle gentleman) and daughter of Arthur J Knight of the Cowansville, Quebec Masonic Lodge. She has been fascinated with the Masonic Lodge for as long as she can remember. Her Grandfather and Father always said “it was a secret”— and she had to take it at that. Not that she likes it.