Valley of Oakland Scottish Rite Harry Yetter Masonic Research Library

Since 1883 the Oakland Scottish Rite has been one of the city’s leading organizations. As a popular institution of civic engagement and charitable aims, its membership rosters have included notable local individuals such as Supreme Court Justice and California Governor Earl Warren, Oakland Mayor and California Governor George Pardee, and US Representative and Oakland Tribune publisher Joseph Knowland. Throughout its history, the building has hosted numerous community events, concerts, and an impressive array of important historical figures such as former presidents Nixon, Obama, and Clinton, Senator Robert Kennedy, General Jimmy Doolittle, and many others. Designed by California-based architect Carl Werner (1875–1943), the Scottish Rite Temple was completed in 1927 and is one of Oakland’s most iconic historic buildings. The pillared structure stands prominently over Lake Merritt, a recognizable landmark on Oakland’s skyline for ninety-five years. Its 1936 Art Deco façade and iron doors are decorated with mysterious and striking Masonic symbols. The temple’s lavish interior rooms, auditorium, and ballroom are distinguished by their ornate Beaux-Arts Neo-Classical designs. In addition to the building’s exquisite architecture, fascinating history, and membership, it features an impressive public research library and museum. Through exhibits and tours visitors may experience first-hand the rich local, statewide, and international history of Freemasonry. Tours and access to our library are free and open to the public. Tours are by appointment (24 hours in advance) and can last up to one hour. They are currently conducted twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30am and 3pm. Requests for the viewing of rare items and special research should be made by appointment at least a week in advance. The Oakland Scottish Rite Historical Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks to maintain and preserve the Oakland Scottish Rite Temple’s historic architecture and local history. It also aims to display and interpret the Masonic material culture within the Scottish Rite Valley of Oakland’s archive and library.  For more information, please contact: Jonathan Prestage, Personal Representative of the SGIG in California Valley of Oakland, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Email: jprestage@scottish-rite.org Or Adam Kendall Executive Director, Oakland Scottish Rite Historical Foundation Email: akendall@scottish-rite.org