I’ve come across my great grandfather’s Masonic apron. What should be done with it? Should I return it to the local group? It’s rolled up in a metal tube and in remarkably good shape for being 80+ years old. 

Thanks,
Wayne

If it has no meaning to you, I would return it to the lodge he was part of.  Many lodges have areas where older articles are displayed for members to see.

Mr. Ziegelmeyer,

Since you have asked, I’ll try to be as sensitive as I can be.
Your Great Grandfather was given this apron when he was initiated into the Fraternity.
It was his to keep for his entire life upon this Earth, and upon his death,if he was a
brother in good standing( Current with his dues, not suspended or expelled ) and the
surviving family members requested a Masonic Funeral Service, The Brethren would have
assembled and placed his apron upon his remains, hence, buried with it. As quoted from
the NJ Masonic Funeral Service, ” The Lambskin Apron is an emblem of innocence and the
badge of a Mason. It is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle and more
honorable than the Star and Garter, when worthily worn. This Emblem we now deposit upon
the remains of our deceased Brother.”
We now get to the point of what do do with it. The tube is yours to keep, it is simply a vessel.
The apron is his, always was, always will be. As the Brother above has mentioned, you can
give it to the Lodge where he was a member, but in giving it to them, I would personally
not just hand them the apron; I would enclose it in a frame with the dates of his initiation
of Entered Apprentice, the date of his Passing to the degree of Fellow Craft, and the date
of his Raising to The Sublime Degree of Master Mason. I would also include a script about
his lifetime achievements and his work for the community and fellow man. The Lodge will be
happy to receive it and would be honored to display it. I hope all goes well. If we on this
forum can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope this info has been helpful.

Sincerely,

Jay

Thanks guys.
I know very little about my greatgrandfather. I’m told he died before I was born. His name and taste in music (I restored his old Victor 78 player) are about all I know. The apron was in with some stuff of my grandfather’s.
Anyhow, the apron says:
Utopia Lodge no. 537 Los Angeles, California

I’ve had no luck finding anything on that lodge other than apparently Tom Mix was a member. I’m not sure it still exists. It looks like it might have been absorbed into Lodge #450. Is that possible and would they have kept the records?

Wayne

Friend,

It does indeed appear that Utopia Lodge merged with Van Nuys Lodge in 1981.  That would be a great first step in learning more. 

Good luck in your search.  I remember when I started researching my Grandfather’s Masonic history.  What a journey.

Another option for you Wayne is to keep it.  If you someday chose to become a Mason, that apron may become more significant to you personally.  Of course if you became a Mason, you would be given your own leather apron so you would not ever need to wear your Great Grandfathers, but it still might be something nice to have.

You could even frame it with a photo of him if you ever have a wall to display other things such as your Masonic diploma and other Masonic certificates and citations.

Just throwing ideas out there.