The Traveling Photo: A 101 Year Journey

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Steve Carrobis 32°

Editors note: This article in a condensed version appears in the February 2015 issue of The Northern Light, which is the AASR (Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite) of the NMJ (Northern Masonic Jurisdiction) magazine. Here for the first time it appears in it's entirety. 

What does a mason do when they see a Masonic artifact in a place outside a lodge? Will you leave it, as it brings light to the craft? Do you rescue it from a place where it isn’t appreciated? I was in such a position and I chose the latter.

My son was accepted to R.I.T (Rochester Institute of technology) and we made the long drive to see the campus, in Rochester NY. Once the family got situated at the hotel, we went to the nearby TGI Fridays. I normally get a seat facing the front door, this time was no exception.

As I sat and talked to my family, I looked at all the “ornaments” that TGI Friday’s normally hangs on the walls, oars/cowbells, etc.  I noticed something remarkable hanging next to the door and shook my head in disbelief. Here of all places? I turned to my wife and excused myself “Honey I need to check to see if what I am seeing is what I think” She rolled her eyes and then smiled, this was code for ok I found something that will only interest me and not her.

To my surprise it was a Scottish Rite reunion photo from 1913, labeled City Masons. I snapped the photo and sent it to a few brothers that were also Scottish Rite masons. Our waitress comes along and asks if everything is all right and do you need anything else?

Me: “Yes it’s fine, but do you know where they get the stuff on the wall?”

Waitress: "No."

Me: “May I see the manager and ask him?”

Waitress: “Sure one moment please...”

Manager: “Hi sir may I help you, is there a problem?”

Me: “No, I was just curious where all the items hanging on the walls come from? “

Manager: “From our warehouses.”

Me: “Where do they get them from?”

Manager: “I am not really sure. I guess estate sales and donations.”

Me: “To be perfectly honest, I am a Scottish Rite mason and how may I relieve you of that photo on the wall?” He looks over and replies: “Give me a few minutes."  After looking at the photo and then going to the back room the manager returned: “Make me an offer.” To which I replied: “25 dollars.” he counters “20 dollars – sold.” He then removes the photo and frame, from the wall, wraps it up and hands it to me.

The photo’s journey was on its next leg, back to my home in Rockland County NY. At home, I study the photo and find it was taken by a firm from Indianapolis. Since traveling in 1913 was expensive it made perfect sense this was done for that valley. I researched to see if the photo was genuine by checking the internet for any of the brothers, in the photo. I found 3 of them, one of which owned a drugstore in Broad Ripple.

I tried several venues in contacting the Valley and finally reached Brother Mark Dill, 33rd degree mason, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis. We talked about the photo’s journey thus far, winding up in a TGI Friday’s in Rochester and now in my house in Rockland County.

He was delighted and then checked the picture room. 

They have photos since 1880 and indeed it was an actual photo. The original is 3’x7’ and they would appreciate a smaller copy to be hung in the museum room, which was being updated in preparation for the 150 year anniversary in the state of Indiana taking place in 2015. Also, he would be happy to reimburse me the $20 purchase price and to please ship it to them, as he didn’t want me to go out my way, time and expense, for something that can be easily shipped. To which I exclaimed: “My brother, it isn’t about the money and we are traveling men, it would be my honor to visit and present it to you in person."

A year later, I am working in Ohio and 5 hours away from Indianapolis. After several Masonic visitations in Ohio, I let some of the brothers know that I was journeying to the Cathedral to return the photo and asked if anyone wanted to come along. Two brothers: Cory Miller and Mike Zanella, from the Valley of Columbus, accompanied me on the historic journey.  (Thank you my Brothers for the company, fellowship and photos taken).

The photo was returned 101 years to the month for the 2014 reunion, which I was unaware that it was being held.

We were given the grand tour of the Scottish Rite Cathedral, which was simply amazing and I believe all masons should see this marvelous landmark to the craft.

Timeline of the Photo:

Bro Steve Carrobis (left) presents the frame and photos.

Indianapolis March 1913, owner of the picture is yet unknown.

Date?? Somehow it wound up in a TGI Friday’s warehouse.

April 2013:  Found 100 years later, on the wall of the TGI Friday’s in Rochester NY, and retrieved.

March 2014: Brought to Ohio, where brothers got to see it and then journey with me to Indianapolis for its final stop.

101 years, the visage of 46 brothers traveled from Indianapolis to New York, to Ohio and finally back to its home in Indiana to hang on the wall of their museum with a most unique history.

So I ask again, what would you have done? 

~SC

Bro. Steve Carrobis is a member of Warwick Masonic Lodge #544, the Valley of the Hudson A.A.S.R, NMJ, Rockland Valley Chapter No. 204 Royal Arch Masons, Goshen Council #93, and is a Trustee and Webmaster for ORDMA (Orange-Rockland District Masonic Association) http://ordma.org/