On Saturday, Oct 24th, you can walk the dark halls of The Masonic Hall of Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 in downtown Franklin and hear ghost stories The Masonic Hall is Franklin’s oldest public building and boasts an incredible history.
The Hall is a historic Gothic revival building constructed in 1823. It houses Hiram Lodge No. 7, founded in 1809 and is the oldest Masonic Hall in continuous use in Tennessee. The building was the location of the negotiation and signing of the Treaty of Franklin in 1830, in which the Chickasaw Indians sold their lands before being moved west to today’s Oklahoma. The sitting president Andrew Jackson was a participant. During the American Civil War, the building was used as a hospital for wounded Union soldiers after the Battle of Franklin. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
Some may believe that soldiers haunt the Hall. You can hear about these creepy tales on your tour.
Tours will run every 30 minutes on Oct 24th from 6p-10p. Admission is $5. All proceeds benefit the Hall’s restoration fund.
Restoration is expected to cost between $4-5 million, and will include interior and exterior repairs and refurbishment, taking care to preserve the historical integrity of the building. Much needed professional evaluation and structural work will be performed to ensure the long-term continued stability of the building for many years to come. As part of the restoration, the first floor of the building will be upgraded for use by the public as a meeting place, wedding venue, and for other desired use.
The Masonic Hall is located at 115 2nd Ave S in downtown Franklin.
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