Time Capsule Transports Masonic Village into the Past
June 6, 2017
Recent exploration of a long-unused building on campus unearthed a hidden treasure, one of historical significance to Masonic Village. In the abattoir, employees found a time capsule dating back to 1939. It is great to see the support of Jacob Frey King, who funded the construction of the abattoir, a building once used to house the plentiful harvests that came from the campus farm.
Timothy Eberly, now a cook at one of the six restaurants on campus, worked in the abattoir from 1980 until its closing in 1995. He remembers processing 3,000 chickens a week at the abattoir and women traveling from the cannery (formerly located where the Elizabethtown and Masonic Village Model Railroad Club building sits currently) to help.
During his lifetime, King was an active member of Lamberton Lodge No. 476, Lancaster. When not socializing with his fellow Masons, King was employed as a tobacco merchant.
“This is indeed one of the happiest, if not (the) happiest day of my life,” King declared at the commemorative ceremony when the cornerstone was laid, along with the contents of the capsule, into the abattoir in 1939.
The contents of this capsule, now displayed in the Grand Lodge Hall, include:
- A manuscript written by Jacob King and his photo
- A 1870 Bible presented to King by his father, wrapped in a silk US flag, placed in parchment and tied with a purple ribbon
- A copy of the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal from the morning of Thursday, Feb. 9, 1939
- A copy of King’s letter to the Committee on Masonic Homes from Aug. 19, 1938 tendering a check for $40,000 for the King Memorial Building (the abattoir)
- A copy of the program and King’s remarks from the laying of the cornerstone.
“The building Jacob King gave is no longer in service or existence, but this man’s memory lives on. The time capsule which has been opened bears witness to his generosity,” resident Mary Ellen Tarman said.
The contents of the capsule will join the many treasures that can be found at Masonic Village, including beautiful architecture, compassionate and caring staff and the life stories and wisdom of our residents. The datestone and stones from the original abattoir will be incorporated into an outdoor recreation area and pavilion near the site of the new cottages, continuing to honor Jacob King’s gift to Masonic Village.
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