...More and more we see new books about Masonry, books largely written by professional historians who are not members of the Craft, but who have come to realize that Freemasonry had a vast and benign influence on the world of the 1800s and early 1900s. Masonry appears in more and more documentaries, too, sometimes as a passing footnote, sometimes as a major theme. Seems the Fraternity is everywhere you look. Of course, that’s only right and proper.
...As usual, Capstone Productions has first-rate material about Freemasonry on video, and this column will highlight three of the company’s newest. You can get a free catalog of their videotapes by writing Capstone Productions Inc., PO Box 221466, El Paso, Texas, 79913, or by telephoning 915-833-8700, faxing to 915-584-6903, E-mailing the company at masonictv@compuserve.com, or visiting the Capstone Productions website at www.masonictv.com. The three videotapes noted below cost $20 each, plus $5 each for shipping, but if you order all three ($65, S&H included), you save individual tape shipping charges. All three tapes are part of a series known as Freemasonry at the U.S. Capitol. I would recommend you view them yourself and then share them with several friends, Masons or not. Of course, donating the videotapes to your Lodge or Temple is a great idea since each makes an excellent Masonic program.
...“The Freemasonic Connections of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.” runs 37 minutes and is an illustrated presentation by Professor James Stevens Curl. Professor Curl is a distinguished author in the field of the history of architecture, and his work has won scholarly awards for contributions to the literature of architecture. In a lecture heavily illustrated by slides, he traces the history and architecture of the nation’s Capitol, while suggesting that the House Chamber symbolizes the Entered Apprentice Degree, the Senate Chamber symbolizes the Fellowcraft Degree, and the Rotunda represents the Master Mason Degree. When the presentation was given at a U.S. Capitol Historical Society symposium, the following discussion was referred to as “lively.”  What Professor Curl says makes good sense to me, but see the videotape and judge for yourself.
“The U.S. Capitol Cornerstone and Ritual in the Early Republic”  is a  30-minute tape of a lecture by Leonard Travers of Boston University. All Masons know, of course, that the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol was laid with full Masonic ceremony, but even many Masons do not know the full symbolism of the event, including the processions which played a very important part in the ceremony. And what did the average citizen of the day think of the goings-on? This is an excellent tape in terms of Freemasonry, sociology, and general history. Highly recommended.
...“Sensible Signs: The Emblematic Education of Post-Revolution Freemasonry” is a 32-minute tape by Steven C. Bullock. I strongly suggest you buy and read Bullock’s book Revolutionary Brotherhood. It is a first-rate production by a fine historian. This videotape builds on some of the ideas in that book. With the videotape, however, you have the advantage of listening to Professor Bullock, and that, in itself, is a rewarding experience. The information is excellent, and the style is more friendly than professorial.
...So, again, give serious thought to acquiring these tapes for your own library or giving them to your Lodge or Temple. There is excellent information here, information that will make you proud to be a Freemason. And, incidentally, there are many more quality videotapes in the Capstone Productions catalog. If you ever wanted a painless Masonic education, here’s the place to find it.