After closing to the public with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iowa Masonic Library and Museums will reopen to the public with a “soft” reopening on Monday July 20.
To reopen, the Iowa Masonic Library has planned for the health and well-being of visitors, researchers, students, and staff and will be taking several steps to ensure that happens.
- The Iowa Masonic Library will be open Monday through Thursday for tours by appointment only at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please call 319-365-1438 for an appointment or email librarian@gl-iowa.org .
- Researchers must also call or email and make an appointment to access the Library collections.
- For tours, groups will be limited to no more than 5 per appointment.
- All staff, volunteers, and visitors will be required to wear a mask while in the building. Disposable masks will be available for anyone that does not have one for a $1.00 donation.
- Temperatures will be taken when visitors enter the building.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the building.
- There will be a designated path through the museum galleries to ensure social distancing.
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Iowa Masonic Library. Started by the Masons of Iowa in 1845, the Library is recognized by the Iowa Library Association as the oldest special collection in the state. The Library has been in Cedar Rapids since 1884 at the same location.
Besides the regular exhibit galleries, which include Masonic and non-Masonic collections, a new exhibit will feature a portion of the numismatic collection of the Library. This will include state of Iowa currency, Confederate currency, privately minted Civil War tokens, U.S. fractional currency, emergency currency used in Germany and Austria after World War I, and Washington related tokens.
For more information, or to schedule a tour please call 319-365-1438 or email librarian@gl-iowa.org .
