Description of Historic Place

The Masonic Hall is a Municipal Heritage Property which occupies a corner lot in Whitewood. The property features a modest 11/2-storey wood-frame building constructed in 1892.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Masonic Hall lies in its status as the first church built in Whitewood. The fact that the Methodist Church was built in 1892, the same year that Whitewood was incorporated as a town, demonstrates the high value that the early settlers placed on religion. The building was modest in design with a wood-frame and unadorned exterior. Due to a lack of financial support, and the construction of numerous other churches in the area in the following years, the Methodist Church was closed in 1910.

The heritage value of the Masonic Hall also lies in its status as a community gathering place. After its use as a church, the Masonic Lodge purchased the building in 1920. It served as meeting place for Ashlar Masonic Lodge #8 until 1987, when low membership forced the group to amalgamate with the Masonic local in Moosomin. Since then, the building has served as a gathering place for people and organizations in the community.

Source:

Town of Whitewood Bylaw No. 15/97.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Masonic Hall resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements reflecting the building's use as a church, such as the stained glass, the round windows, and arched side-windows;
-those elements reflecting the building's function as a social gathering place, such as the open layout of the interior;
-the building's modest wood-frame design.