This Quarter's showcase: Duchesse

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Historical District of Raleigh, North Carolina
The Masonic Temple Building is a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark
Home of the Kristin S. Conrad Lace Center and
the RALEIGH LACE MUSEUM


The Masonic Temple Building at 133 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, North Carolina, was the state's first reinforced concrete skyscraper. Constructed in 1907 by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, the building represents the growth of Raleigh in the early 20th century and the rise of Masons's influence. The Masonic Temple Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.

The seven-story Masonic Temple Building was designed by South Carolina architect Charles McMillan and built by Carolina Construction Co. Upon completion, it was praised for its innovative construction using reinforced concrete, a new concept in building materials. The design is a conservative and classic example of the tri-partite skyscraper composition developed by Louis Sullivan. The first three floors are covered with Indiana limestone. The rest of the building consists of light brick ornamented with terra cotta.

One year after the founding of Raleigh in 1792, the first Masonic lodge, Democratic Lodge, No. 21, opened. Because of increased membership, the Masons raised funds to construct a new temple used by local lodges and the state Grand Lodge. The Masons sold the property to Land's, Inc on December 2, 1946. The Grand Lodge moved to its current site at 2921 Glenwood Ave and the Masonic Temple groups relocated as well.

The Kristin S. Lace Center and the RALEIGH LACE MUSEUM are an initiative of the Kristin S. Conrad Lace Center Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The Center and Museum are located on the ground level.