This glass was used for drinking toasts
at Masonic dinners in Croydon.

It was banged down on the table
after toasts
and made a sound like a gun firing.

The glass is thicker at the bottom
to stop it from breaking.

The words from this Mason's song
are read by an actor.

"Come let us prepare
we brothers that are
assembled on merry occasion.

To drink, laugh and sing:
our wine has a spring
here's health to an accepted mason.

Then join hand in hand,
by each brother firm stand,
Let's be merry and put a bright face on.

No mortal can boast so noble a toast,
as a free and an accepted mason."

Freemasonry or 'The Craft',
started in London in the 18th century.
It grew fast
spreading to Ireland, Scotland, Europe
and throughout the British Empire.

It was only ever open to men
and was quite expensive to join
but it was not a secret society.

Members of the Croydon Masonic Lodges
met openly in the Greyhound public house
and the Masonic Hall,
both in Croydon High Street.

To find out more about the history of
freemasons in Croydon, you can visit
the Research Room.

The Research Room is on the
lower ground floor of the Clocktower,
It is open Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-5pm.