New
displays at Atlanta Museum peek into mysteries of the Masons, Ewing
family, World Wars, first road development, Route 66, Abraham
Lincoln and more
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[June 05, 2017]
ATLANTA
- On Sunday afternoon, the Atlanta Museum, located on the main drag
through town, next door to the Palms Grill, opened its doors for the
premier of some new exhibits. Among the new items on display were
pieces representing the history of the local Masons organization,
World Wars I and II, and a spotlight display honoring Atlanta native
and former United States Congressman Tom Ewing.
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Atlanta Masonic Lodge 165 AF & AM
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The Atlanta museum is located in a building owned by Telelogic
Learning Company. The company’s owner Bill Thomas purchased the
building from the Atlanta Masonic Lodge 165 AF & AM in 1999. At that
time the Masons were still utilizing the building as their lodge,
and continued to do so until 2003 when they moved their meeting to
the Atlanta-Eminence Community Building.
Though the Masons no longer occupy the two story brick structure,
they have left their mark and their history in the community lives
on through the building, the remnants of the lodge remaining
upstairs, and now the new exhibit at the museum.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/31/images/ads/current/brickey_sda_2017.png)
Most folks know about the existence of the Masons, but while there
is much speculation, there is very little factual history shared
about the organization, because they are a very private group.
Inside the display at the museum, only a few bits of history are
shared, and a note in one display specifically notes that the
museum, out of great respect for the Masons, will not dive into the
history of the organization in depth.
However, there are some very interesting facts that are sketched
out, including a timeline of the history of the local organization,
a wall featuring photos of past Grand Masters, and the prize
possession – a Magic Lantern Apparatus and stereopticons display.
The village of Atlanta was founded in 1853 and one year later in
1854 the local Masonic Lodge was established. The lodge held
meetings in the Parker Building until 1865 when that location was
destroyed by fire.
In 1866 the Masons along with the Odd Fellows built the two story
building that is now the Atlanta Museum. The building at that time
was referred to as Union Hall. The first floor was finished in 1866
and the second floor was completed in 1867.
The magic lantern was used as a part of the ritual services at the
lodge. But, when the hall was first built, there was no Magic
Lantern available, so murals were painted in the upstairs area where
the lodge meetings were held. Over time, the magic lantern replaced
the murals, and they were covered over with wallpaper.
Sunday afternoon, Museum Curator Rachel Neisler said that when the
building was purchased in 1999, renovations began to turn the
upstairs area into office space for Telelogic. When the wallpaper
was removed from the large hall, the murals were discovered. The
paper was carefully removed, so to preserve as much as possible from
the murals. While some are damaged, there are areas in the hall
where the murals are clearly visible.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/31/images/ads/current/brickey_lda_061314.png)
To reach the Mason exhibit area, visitors walk through the large
hall which was at one time partitioned into separate spaces for the
Masons and the Odd Fellows. Going into a separate room just off the
hall, the first item to catch the eye is the Magic Lantern. That one
piece on display has a written history accompanying it, explaining
how the lantern was used. On another wall is a beautiful exhibit of
the stereopticons that would have been used with the lantern.
Neisler pointed out three Masonic aprons on display,
noting they were excellent examples of artistry and craftsmanship.
She stressed that the fringe work done around the edges of the
aprons were finely woven metal. Right now there are three aprons on
display, but Neisler said the museum was given a total of eight, and
the others will eventually be put on display as well.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/31/images/ads/current/graue_17_malibu_022717.png)
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New World War 1 and World War II exhibits
![](../images/053117PICS/DSCF0745_small.JPG)
With the weekend observance of Memorial Day, it was a fitting time
to also introduce new displays from World Wars I and II. Just off
the elevator, arriving on the second floor, displays included
uniforms worn by Frank D. Hoblit when he served as an officer in the
United States Navy from 1941 to 1945. Another display features army
uniforms and equipment used by Lt. Vaughn Craft during the Korean
War from 1950 to 1953.
Tom Ewing exhibit
![](../images/053117PICS/DSCF0749_small.JPG)
Tom Ewing was born and raised in the Atlanta area, and there are
still members of the Ewing Family in and around Atlanta. He served
as a state representative from 1974 to 1991. In 1991 he was elected
to United States Congress as a representative of the 15th District
of Illinois. He served in that position until his retirement in
2001.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/31/images/ads/current/rohlfs_lda_051513.png)
Ewing currently resides in Pontiac, and is working on a number of
projects as a private citizen including a number of renewable energy
projects. He is also still deeply interested in Illinois history and
is a member of a committee in Pontiac working to restore the
Strevell House, a property which it is believed may have been one of
the last places Abraham Lincoln visited before leaving Illinois for
the last time.
All of the items on display at the Atlanta Museum pertaining to
Ewing were donated by Ewing himself. In addition, it is reported
that he donated some family photos reflecting the history of the
Ewing family in the community.
Other items on display
![](../images/053117PICS/DSCF0751_small.JPG)
For anyone who has not taken the time to visit the Atlanta Museum,
you might consider making the trip. The museum is very well
organized, and contains a large number of exhibits in a small space
that can be toured completely without investing an entire day.
Coming in the front door, a replica courtroom welcomes guests as
well as the bank vault of the Atlanta bank.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/May/31/images/ads/current/ldn_business_directory_small_2016.png)
Heading back toward the elevator displays and photos show the
Atlanta connection to Route 66 and also the Route 66 predecessor,
Illinois Route 4. There are some great photos of road construction
using draft horses!
On the second floor, the items on display have local connections and
offer glimpses into the history of the community, its relationship
with Abraham Lincoln, Route 66, and much more.
One wall features a large display of photos donated by community
members and spells out the history of the town from local businesses
to school graduations and class pictures. There are also photos
showing railroad construction in the 1800’s and much, much more.
The Atlanta Museum is located at 112 SW Arch Street, next door to
the Palms Café. Museum hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. and Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
[Nila Smith] |