Medina Masonic Temple and Medina Theater, 120 North Elmwood Avenue, Medina

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OH-30. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Medina Masonic Temple has been a cornerstone of town activity since as well as serving as a meeting place for the Fraternal Order of Free Masons Lodge No. 58. Description: The Neoclassical Medina Masonic Temple was built by freemasons in from brick and sandstone. Much of the exterior decoration was constructed from art stone as a substitute material and is currently in need of repair. Additions to the original structure include an elevator and a connecting entrance between an adjacent walkway and the large theater space. The front entrance has been converted into small office spaces, and the original ballroom converted into a theater, and then theater and dance club.

The Masonic lodge room is located on the third floor of the building with a large central meeting room and a mezzanine above. History: The Medina Masonic Temple was built in with plans prepared by Ridley and Glazier Architects in Akron, Ohio. The ballroom/theater annex which was added later was designed by architect George Howard Burrows from Aurora, Ohio. In an elevator was added to the structure and plans were completed by Jerome E. Romis and Associated Architects from Medina, Ohio. This structure has served as a meeting place for a variety of Free Mason organizations including the Blue Lodge, Eastern Star, and Rainbow Brigade. The large ballroom originally was a place for citizens of Medina to gather and socialize when community dances were a common social activity.

The ballroom was converted into a theater in the late as the popularity of movies was growing throughout the country. In the single, large theater was divided into two separate theaters. Recently, one of the theaters has been converted into a teen dance club for the youth population in Medina. Despite the changes to the ballroom area the temple room has consistently served as a meeting space for Lodge No. 58. The Medina Masonic Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places in

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS OH-30. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The documentation of the Medina Masonic Temple was completed for the Charles E. Peterson Prize Competition by students from Kent State University s College of Architecture and Environmental Design specifically Professor Elizabeth Murphy s Exploring Historic Structures course. The class team consisted of graduate architecture students, third year architecture students, and interior design students. The versatile team was able to put together a cohesive set of documents for the competition through multiple site visits and field measurements and class pin ups. The building is used for Lodge functions but is underutilized and is for sale.