EAST LIVERPOOL — The historic East Liverpool Masonic Lodge, located at 422 Broadway St., opened its doors to the public for the very first time with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house event on a recent Saturday. Visitors were given the opportunity to tour the lodge and explore its unique features.
Brian Fitzgerald, the District Education Officer, explained that the grand master had given a directive for every Masonic lodge in Ohio to open to the public as a means of engagement. “It’s simply an open house— an invitation to come and see the place,” Fitzgerald stated. He emphasized that many residents of the town have never had the chance to visit the lodge, and the grand master’s aim was to make the lodge more accessible to the public.
The Masonic Temple, also formerly known as the Goodwin-Knowles House, has a rich history dating back to 1890 when it was built as a residence for one of the Goodwin brothers. Since 1910, the Masons and Eastern Stars have occupied the building. Recognized as a historic site, the structure was listed on the National Historic Register in 1985.
The lodge has recently undergone extensive renovations amounting to $3.5 million, transforming it into a fully refurbished building. The exterior renovation took place in 2018, while the interior was renovated in 2021 and 2022. Fitzgerald described the result as “essentially a new building.”
The lodge offers a variety of facilities for public use, including a conference/training room, ballroom, parlor, meeting rooms, and kitchen. The building is ADA-compliant and has been equipped with an elevator. The lodge can accommodate up to 845 individuals and is now available for rent for a wide range of events, including meetings, banquets, weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and other special occasions.
Marcus Trelaine, a member of the lodge, expressed gratitude for the community’s support during the renovation process. Trelaine mentioned that the lamp posts outside the front entrance were obtained with assistance from the Community Improvement Corp. (CIC), funded by ARPA through the mayor’s office.
Mayor Bricker praised the year-long renovation, which has restored the lodge to immaculate condition. He hailed the lodge as a “must-see building in East Liverpool” and a “great community asset.” He added, “They have restored the entire facility and it will be a great community asset for years to come. It was already a great addition, but they improved it. It’s awesome and it turned out amazing. Now we have to make sure the community knows it’s here and it’s open for use.”
The community is already starting to utilize the newly renovated lodge. Kent State University will be hosting an awards night at the facility on May 1. Additionally, on May 5 and 6, starting at 3 p.m., the lodge will be open for Beaver and East Liverpool students to use for prom photos.
Trelaine is optimistic about the lodge’s future, expecting the event calendar to continue expanding and filling up with community activities
