Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records
MSS.356
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit
September 11, 2015
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
765-285-5078
libarchives@bsu.edu
Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Table of Contents
Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3
Administrative History...................................................................................................................................4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4
Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................4
Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5
Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 7
Series 1: Administrative record books, 1920-1940.................................................................................7
Series 2: Architectural drawings, 1923-1924..........................................................................................8
Series 3: Artifacts, undated..................................................................................................................... 9
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Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Summary Information
Repository
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Indiana Bridge Company. (Muncie, Ind.)
Creator
Masonic Temple Association. (Muncie, Ind.)
Title
Muncie Masonic Temple Association records
Date [inclusive]
1920-1940
Extent
2.3 Cubic feet 3 boxes, oversize drawings
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Muncie Masonic Temple Association records, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University
Libraries
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Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Administrative History
The Muncie Masonic Temple Association is a civic organization located in Muncie, Indiana. While the
Muncie Masons were organized in 1842, the Muncie Masonic Temple Association was not established
until between circa 1919 and 1921. During the early 20th century, many smaller Masonic clubs met in
various locations in downtown Muncie. The Masons had previously built a temple at High and Main
Streets and at 211 West Main Street. In the 1920s, the design of a third Masonic Temple was undertaken
in an effort to consolidate the various Masonic organizations in Muncie. The project was also a civic
one, as the structure included a ballroom and auditorium for the community's use. Prominent community
members, such as the five Ball brothers, gave donations to finance the design and construction of the
temple. The organization oversaw fundraising and planning for the building, as well as the operations and
function of the temple after its completion.
The Masonic Temple is a six-story, Gothic Revival building located at the northeast corner of Main
and Madison Streets in downtown Muncie, Indiana. Construction on the third building began in 1920
and finished in 1926 at a cost of approximately $1 million. Prominent local architect Cuno Kibele was
commissioned for the project. In addition, nationally recognized artist Gustav S. Brand created twentytwo murals for the interior spaces. The Masonic Temple was officially dedicated on November 27, 1926.
The temple served as the meeting place for many Masonic organizations in Muncie, including the Muncie
and Delaware lodges, Muncie Chapter, Muncie Council, and Muncie Commandery. On February 9, 2005,
the Masonic Temple building was renamed Cornerstone Center for the Arts. The building continues to
serve as the home of the Muncie Masonic Association and other community organizations but is also a
venue for various educational, cultural, and social events.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains records from the Muncie Masonic Temple Association ranging from 1920 to
1940 and includes membership subscription record books, receipt books, and voucher books documenting
donations to and payments from the organization to fund the construction of the third Masonic Temple
building; architectural drawings for the Masonic Temple created by the Indiana Bridge Company; and an
embossing press featuring the organization's logo.
Arrangement
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Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
This collection is arranged alphabetically and in the following series:
Series 1: Administrative record books, 1920-1940
Series 2: Architectural drawings, 1923-1924
Series 3: Artifacts, undated
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State
University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to
Archives and Special Collections.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from Bonita Ramirez on
2015/02/27.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2015/09/10 by Cody Sprunger. EAD finding aid created by Lindsey M.
Vesperry on 2015/09/10. EAD finding aid revised by Brandon Pieczko on 2015/09/11.
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Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Related Materials
Related Archival Materials
Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Archives and Special
Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie IN:
S.186: Masonic teaching slides
SC.296: Muncie Masonic Review newsletters
SC.304: Muncie Masonic Temple Auditorium programs
SC.382: Muncie Masonic Temple booklets
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
• Drawings, architectural (visual works)
• Membership lists
• Realia
Geographic Name(s)
• Delaware County (Ind.)--History--20th century--Sources
• Muncie (Ind.)--History--20th century--Sources
Subject(s)
• Architecture
• Freemasons
• Stoeckel Archives of Local History
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Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Series 1: Administrative record books, 1920-1940
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Administrative record books, 1920-1940
Box
1
Subscription receipt book, No. 1 - No. 1000, 1920-1922
1
Subscription receipt book, No. 1001 - No. 2000, 1922-1924
1
Subscription receipt book, No. 2001 - No. 3000, 1924-1926
2
Subscription record book, A-G, 1920-1927
2
Subscription record book, H-O, 1920-1927
2
Subscription record book, P-Z, 1920-1927
Voucher book, No. 1 - No. 300, 1920/06/07 - 1923/05/29
Voucher book, No. 301 - No. 600, 1923/06/09 - 1924/12/15
Voucher book, No. 601 - No. 900, 1924/12/17 - 1925/11/14
Voucher book, No. 901 - No. 1197, 1925/11/14 - 1926/04/03
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Box
Folder
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
4
Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Series 2: Architectural drawings, 1923-1924
Voucher book, No. 1198 - No. 1497, 1926/04/05 - 1926/09/09
Voucher book, No. 1498 - No. 1818, 1926/09/09 - 1927/10/26
Voucher book No. 1510 - No. 1809, 1926/07/05 - 1930/03/03
Voucher book No. 1810 - No. 2112, 1930/03/06 - 1930/10/03
Voucher book No. 1819 - No. 2109, 1927/11/01 - 1938/06/09
Voucher book No. 2113 - No. 2412, 1930/10/03 - 1931/04/16
Voucher book No. 2413 - No. 2715, 1931/04/21 - 1932/07/14
Voucher book No. 3921 - No. 4220, 1935/12/31 - 1936/09/29
Voucher book No. 4221 - No. 4523, 1936/09/30 - 1937/05/19
Voucher book No. 4524 - No. 4823, 1937/05/19 - 1937/12/18
Voucher book No. 4824 - No. 5123, 1937/12/18 - 1938/11/16
Voucher book No. 5124 - No. 5423, 1938/11/19 - 1939/06/19
Voucher book No. 5424 - No. 5723, 1939/06/19 - 1940/15/19
Series 2: Architectural drawings, 1923-1924
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3
5
3
6
3
7
3
8
3
9
3
10
3
11
3
12
3
13
3
14
3
15
3
16
3
17
Muncie Masonic Temple Association Records MSS.356
Series 3: Artifacts, undated
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 1 - No. 30, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 31 - No. 60, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 61 - No. 90, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 91 - No. 120, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 121 - No. 150, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 151 - No. 180, 1923
Muncie Masonic Temple architectural drawings No. 181 - No. 202,
Map-case
Drawer
1
15
1
15
2
9
2
9
2
12
2
15
2
15
1923-1924
Series 3: Artifacts, undated
Box
Muncie Masonic Temple Association seal embossing press, undated
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