Masonic Center (Savannah) Explained

Savannah Masonic Center
Location:341 Bull Street, Madison Square, Savannah, Georgia
Owner:Savannah College of Art and Design (since 1981)
Current Tenants:Gryphon Tea Room
Coordinates:32.0731°N -81.0943°W
Start Date:June 30, 1913
Floor Count:5
Architect:Hyman Witcover

Savannah Masonic Center is a historic building at 341 Bull Street in downtown Savannah, Georgia, United States. Standing in the southwestern corner of Madison Square, it was constructed between 1913 and 1923, to a design by Hyman Witcover, previously the architect of Savannah City Hall. Today it is known as Gryphon, and is part of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).[1]

The land on which the building stands was purchased in November 1895. Eight years later, a general appeal was made to the masonic community for additional support in financing the construction of a masonic hall. The corner stone was laid on June 30, 1913, by Robert L. Colding, Grand Master of Masons in Georgia. The building's construction was completed a decade later and deeded to the Scottish Rite.[2]

In July 2019, the building was sold to SCAD, which has previously leased part of it, and the Scottish Rite Masonic Center was moved to a new home on Chatham Center Drive.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gryphon . 2022-05-01 . SCAD.edu . en.
  2. Web site: Rite . Savannah Scottish . Historic Masonic Center . 2022-05-01 . Savannah Scottish Rite . en-US.
  3. News: Freemasons sell historic Bull Street home to SCAD . February 18, 2020 . Katie . Nussbaum. . 2023-05-30.