Michael McKee, Executive Director, Masonic Library & Museum of Pennsylvania

In an interview with Invest:, Michael McKee, executive director of the Masonic Museum & Library, discussed the Temple’s evolving cultural role, preservation efforts, and educational outreach. “This place belongs to everyone,” McKee said. “Good produces good, and that’s our mission.”

What changes over the past year have most impacted the organization, and in what ways?
Closures of nearby institutions like the University of the Arts and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts have spotlighted the vulnerability of arts and sciences in the region, reinforcing the need to preserve cultural spaces.

On a celebratory note, the Temple marked the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s return to America with an event attended by the French ambassador. Lafayette, a Freemason and George Washington’s ally, symbolizes the enduring U.S.–France bond.

Philadelphia seems to be undergoing a cultural renaissance. Beyond iconic foods like cheesesteaks, its neighborhoods showcase rich, diverse identities. This commitment is visible in events and in symbolic touches like the international flags flying at City Hall.

Operationally, event timelines have shortened. Weddings and corporate events are now often booked just three to six months in advance, requiring quick adaptation. The Temple’s independence — it’s not run by a corporation or restaurant group — allows for uniquely tailored experiences.

Themed rooms, including the Egyptian Room, the Alhambra-inspired room, and Norman Hall, each offer a distinct setting. Symbolism is woven throughout. The stonework on the building’s corners, for example, represents growth, from rough to refined. Female depictions of virtues reflect the belief that many virtues are learned from mothers. Artworks like the statues of Athena underscore the importance of wisdom and education.

How do you view the role of the Masonic Library and Museum in Philadelphia’s cultural heritage and educational tourism?
The Masonic Library and Museum reflects Philadelphia’s cultural richness. Like Europe’s oldest institutions, the Temple showcases a range of global influences. Financially, it benefits from long-standing investments by earlier generations, enabling it to support smaller arts organizations by sharing space and preservation expertise.

Located on Museum Mile, it serves as a cultural link between renowned institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and lesser-known treasures. Its mission, to promote the arts and sciences, supports both established and emerging voices. Partnerships, including with Princeton, have been critical, not in funding, but in knowledge sharing and operational collaboration. These alliances further a shared goal of making art and culture widely accessible.

Free tour days are especially valuable. They invite people from all backgrounds to engage with history and art. Seeing teenagers connect with figures like Lafayette reminds us how essential it is to make cultural learning inclusive and impactful.

What strategies are you using to interpret Masonic histories in ways that resonate with multiple generations?
We use “charges,” ritual texts with poetic language about wisdom and contemplation. One says, “Wisdom seeks to see your shade and lonely cell, design for contemplation.” In plain English, it means that by engaging with history, Masonic or otherwise, we recognize that today’s social issues existed back then. You can’t run from history, but you can display it.

People often romanticize colonial Philadelphia, but it was dangerous — no streetlights, manure in the streets, garbage flying out of windows. Still, the ideas from that time endure. Our message is that good tends to prevail, and art helps reveal that goodness.

Visitors feel something when they enter. I worked in finance and listened to classical music while solving problems. My son, a musician, helped me realize there’s mathematical harmony in music. It connects to the seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, logic, music, astronomy, geometry, and arithmetic. These disciplines expand the mind and bring beauty, which we all need.

This place belongs to everyone. If you don’t feel good here, I take that personally. You can insult me, but not the building. Good produces good, and that’s our mission.

Visitors encounter stories, artifacts, and architecture that span generations. We aim to reveal the common threads, the pursuit of the common good. Show interest, and I’ll even show you our secret passages.

What are the biggest challenges in preserving a landmark of this scale and history?
This 150-year-old building demands craftsmanship that barely exists today. My team has developed skills tailored to this structure. Maintenance is costly — we’re looking at $30 million in capital projects across 97,000 square feet. It’s an ongoing process.

We house over a billion dollars’ worth of art and face constant threats from water and fire. Built with walls 4 feet thick using 19th-century technology, the building requires careful planning for any updates.

Securing donor support for the structure itself is tough; rooms are easier. We rely on donations and investments, so market shifts hit us hard. But preserving the building is essential. It embodies Masonic values and stands as a flagship of Freemasonry in America. Losing it would mean losing a vital part of our history.

Thankfully, we have a team of 28 dedicated people. Donors trust us because we practice rigorous stewardship and transparency. Our staff spans generations, all drawn to the building’s significance. It’s more than a job — it’s a calling. The space feels like Philadelphia, and you can’t find this experience elsewhere.

Even iconic places like Independence Hall don’t offer what we do: rooms where visitors can sit, reflect, and experience intentional design. From authentic hieroglyphs in the Egyptian Room to preserved frescoes and gold leaf, everything serves a purpose.

We’ve hosted royalty like Prince Albert of Monaco and events tied to Grace Kelly’s legacy. But the everyday magic is just as powerful. A guest who works with presidential flags once discovered our embroidered banners and was deeply moved.

We operate lean, and staffing is a challenge. But we promote from within, and the team’s passion sustains us. One guide started in maintenance and now curates museum displays with great care.

We’re also a hub for the global Masonic community. When Masons send their children to study in Philadelphia, we offer support, becoming an extended family and providing a sense of belonging.

Preserving this building is about more than upkeep. It’s about honoring legacy and offering a transformative experience to everyone who walks through our doors.

What are your top priorities for the next couple of years?
The immediate goal is preparing for our 250th anniversary. Longer term, we’re focused on expanding engagement, especially with smaller institutions, and leaving the building and collection better than we found them.

We want to use technology to inspire younger generations. They’ve grown up in an era of constant information. Our challenge is to present art and history in ways that slow the world down and create space for reflection.

Art fosters introspection, a central Masonic value. Freemasonry’s aim is to make good people better, and that begins with reflection. We want visitors, especially young ones, to slow down and see beauty, purpose and community.

Younger people today are searching for identity and grounding. Our building offers that. We see it happen every day. Symbolism is embedded throughout, including intentional flaws that remind us only God is perfect. You can find thumbprints left by the original craftsmen. We’re all traveling the same level of time.

This place has always welcomed the public. Thousands came on opening day. We continue that tradition by making the space more accessible, physically, intellectually and emotionally. When a young visitor needed help with a school project on Freemasons in the Revolution, we sent them resources and even involved the Grand Master. The resulting paper was outstanding and showed real thought and effort.

Stories like that capture who we are: committed to education, mentorship and accessibility. We’re a family here, sometimes quirky, always close. When people visit, they feel that.

We’ve had everything from kids earning wax-sealed certificates to surprise visits from royalty. Once, the King and Queen of Ghana showed up unannounced. It turned into an unforgettable experience. This building draws people in. When they arrive, something meaningful happens.

That’s our focus for the future: more openness, more connection and readiness for whatever comes next.