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The International Peace Garden is 2,339 acres situated on the border
between Manitoba and North Dakota, on the longest north-south road in the world
and almost at the geographic centre of North America. It was dedicated on July
14, 1932 and has become a living monument symbolizing the two nations living in
harmony along the longest unfortified boundary in the world. The Garden is a
non-profit organization which is supported by, among others, several fraternal
organizations: Freemasons; Order of Eastern Star; Oddfellows; Rebekahs;
Daughters of the British Empire (IODE), and Knights of Columbus.
The
International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons was formed in 1993 with Warrants
granted by the Grand Lodges of Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota. The Grand
Lodge of Saskatchewan became a chartering Grand Lodge in 2000 by motion of the
members. Its purpose is "to promote and enhance fraternal relations among
Freemasons of North America and to assist in the expansion and maintenance of
the International Peace Garden."
Membership in the International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons is open to any
Master Mason for a once-in-a-lifetime fee of $50.00, providing the Mason is, and
remains, in good standing in any jurisdiction in the world which is recognized
by the chartering grand jurisdictions. At the time of this
Membership fees are placed in trust and may not be used for any purpose other
than to generate interest which is used to defer operating expenses of the Lodge
and other such expenditures as may be approved at the annual communication.
An
annual meeting is held at the Peace Garden, usually in the Burdick Center for
the Performing Arts, on the Saturday before the second Sunday in August, with
arrangements in charge of the Chartering Grand Lodges on a rotating basis.
Officers' titles and positions as well as the customs correspond to those of the
Chartering Grand Lodge in charge of the arrangements in any given year.
The
meeting deals with regular business and includes an inspirational speaker.
Following the meeting, Masons and their ladies, usually enjoy some entertainment
and a lunch in the Masonic Auditorium. If the meeting is tyled (for Masons only)
there is a program arranged for the ladies.
The
$775,000.00 Masonic Auditorium was dedicated in 1981 as a centennial project of
the 20,000 Masons of Manitoba and North Dakota. It is built in the shape of the
Square and Compasses and has seating for 2,000. It is the only building of its
kind in the world.
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