A time capsule has been created to preserve the story of the former Masonic Hall in Dandenong for future generations.
Owned by the City of Greater Dandenong, the Masonic Hall is being redeveloped as the Dandenong New Art (DNA) Gallery and will open to the public in 2022.
The building was used by the Freemasons from the 1920s up until 1991, and for a time it was leased by the Spanish Christian Church.
Mayor Cr Angela Long said the Masonic Hall is recorded in the City of Greater Dandenong Heritage Study as having local historical and architectural significance.
“The time capsule will document the Masonic Hall’s long and fascinating history. This is significant for my husband and I as he is a Freemason and has been a member of the Freemason’s Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. l have supported him for all that time and cooked in the old Masonic Hall kitchen for 20 years.
“Council would like to thank the Dandenong and District Historical Society and Freemasons Victoria for their input and support of this project,” the Mayor said.
The time capsule will be documented as part of Council’s Civic and Cultural Heritage Collection and unearthed to mark the 50-year anniversary of the opening of the Dandenong New Art (DNA) Gallery in 2072.
Items to be included in the time capsule will relate to the former and proposed future uses of the site, such as land selection papers and historic titles; Freemasons memorabilia including 1938 and 1976 Jubilee souvenirs; local artist Hung Lin’s drawings of the site; and photographic documentation of the redevelopment.
