House of the Temple

The House of the Temple is the headquarters building of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, located in Washington, D.C. It is noted for its classical architectural design by John Russell Pope.

The building contains ceremonial temple spaces and a large research library with an extensive collection on Freemasonry and related topics. Guided visits and organised tours are offered at times to explain the architecture and collections.

Constructed in the early 20th century and completed in 1915, the design draws on ancient mausoleum and classical precedents to create a monumental civic building for the organisation. The library and archival holdings are significant resources for Masonic research.

The House of the Temple stands on 16th Street NW in central Washington, north of the White House and within the city’s embassy and institutional axis.

• Design and completion date: Designed by architect John Russell Pope and completed in 1915, the building is modelled on classical mausoleum architecture.
• Organisational role: Serves as the headquarters of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, of Freemasonry in the United States.

What to See #

• Temple chamber: The main ceremonial temple chamber with classical columns and monumental interior spaces used for Scottish Rite rituals and events.
• Research library: A research library housing a large collection of Masonic books and manuscripts used by scholars and members for research into Freemasonry and related subjects.