The Grand Lodge of Ohio has recently resuscitated the once common practice of providing hardbound Masonic membership certificates – often called a Masonic Diploma. For much of the 19th century, Masons carried these bound certificates as they traveled westward across the Great Plains, fought in the Civil War, and visited the distant shores of the world.
They were the preferred method used to prove a man’s Masonic membership when away from home. However, the modern dues card put an end to this practice in the United States some time in the 20th century. Foreign Grand Lodges have never adopted the use of dues cards, which can cause difficulties for American Masons traveling abroad.
The blue cover when closed will fit into the breast pocket of a sports coat, and when opened, it reveals a convenient clear holder for a current dues card and a certificate, bearing the owner’s name, signature, lodge information, and the signatures of the Grand Master and Grand Secretary.
Those interested in obtaining one of these classic bound diplomas can do so by contacting the Grand Secretary’s office at 800-292-6092. The cost of the personalized, bound diploma is $10.00 plus shipping and handling.
