Travis Simpkins: June 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Shawn Eyer and Travis Simpkins at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA

Shawn Eyer and Travis Simpkins. George Washington Masonic Memorial. Alexandria, Virginia

I visited the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia and had the privilege of receiving a special tour of the exhibits from Shawn Eyer, Director of Communications at the Museum and Editor at The Philalethes Society. The building is an architectural masterpiece and is full of historical treasures related to our first President and his role in Freemasonry.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Alexandria, Virginia

Albert Mackey. 33° Mason. The Symbolism of Freemasonry. by Travis Simpkins

Albert Mackey. 1807-1881. 33° Freemason, Doctor, Author, Scholar. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Albert G. Mackey, M.D.

( 1807 - 1881 )

Masonic Author and Scholar

33rd Degree Freemason

Secretary General of the Supreme Council

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, S.J.

by Travis Simpkins

Baphomet - Symbols and Symbolism

Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry

For more info, please visit:

phoenixmasonry.org/mackeys_encyclopedia/

Albert Mackey, 33°. by Travis Simpkins. The Symbolism of Freemasonry

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Arturo de Hoyos and Travis Simpkins at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.

Travis Simpkins and Arturo de Hoyos. House of the Temple. Washington, D.C.

It was a pleasure to meet with Arturo de Hoyos, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council 33°. I learned a lot about the Scottish Rite and greatly enjoyed touring the magnificent House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.

House of the Temple. Scottish Rite. Supreme Council 33°. Washington, D.C.

Travis Simpkins in the Supreme Council 33° Chamber. House of the Temple. Washington, D.C.

Arturo de Hoyos and Travis Simpkins. House of the Temple. Washington, D.C.

Robert Herd. Freemason and Author. The Initiatic Experience. by Travis Simpkins

Robert Herd. Freemason. Living Stones Masonic Magazine. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Robert Herd

Freemason & Lecturer

Enlightenment Lodge 198

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Author of

The Initiatic Experience

Editor of

Living Stones: A Magazine for Freemasons

by Travis Simpkins

Living Stones - Masonic Magazine for Freemasons

For more info, please visit:

livingstonesmagazine.com

Robert Herd. Freemason. by Travis Simpkins. The Initiatic Experience

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Most Worshipful Harvey J. Waugh, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Most Worshipful Harvey J. Waugh. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Most Worshipful

Harvey J. Waugh

88th Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts - Boston, MA

by Travis Simpkins

Massachusetts State House Cornerstone Ceremony - M.W. Harvey J. Waugh

For more info, please visit:

massfreemasonry.org

Harvey J. Waugh. by Travis Simpkins. Freemasonry. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Thomas P. Campbell, Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. by Travis Simpkins

Thomas Campbell. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Thomas P. Campbell

Director and CEO of

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

by Travis Simpkins

Thomas P. Campbell: Weaving Narratives in Museum Galleries

For more info, please visit:

metmuseum.org

Thomas Campbell. by Travis Simpkins. Metropolitan Museum of Art

"Deciphering the Lost Symbol" by Christopher Hodapp

Deciphering The Lost Symbol

Freemasons, Myths and Mysteries of Washington, D.C.

by Christopher L. Hodapp, 33°

Ulysses Press, 2010

Brief Review by Travis Simpkins

Quickly released on the heels of the publication of The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, Christopher Hodapp's Deciphering The Lost Symbol: Freemasons, Myths and Mysteries of Washington, D.C. sought to clarify and elaborate on the elements and concepts introduced in Brown's new bestseller. In many ways Deciphering The Lost Symbol is a sequel/rewrite of Hodapp's previous book, Solomon's Builders, which had been written as a preemptive exploration of Brown's then-unreleased novel. My previous notes on Solomon's Builders can be read HERE.

As can be expected, some of the material in this book is a repeat of that contained in the pages of its predecessor. However, so much generalized ground was covered in the first book, that the aim of this text is focused on specific parts of Dan's Brown published book… offering due praise to the things he got right and refuting any misdirected fictional plot lines. Hodapp's two books really act as compliments to one another in numerous ways. The covered chapters and topics include origins of the Freemasons, Masonic rituals, symbolism hidden in the cover art, magic squares, the Apotheosis of Washington, Masonic Chamber of Reflection, Hand of the Mysteries, the Scottish Rite 33°, the Capitol building the Washington Monument and many more sites. My suggestion (and I'm sure the author would agree) is to purchase both of his books on the topic, as I did, and reflect on how each text enhances the content of the other.

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Dan Brown. Codes on Book Cover

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Scottish Rite Supreme Council 33°

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Ancient Hand of the Mysteries

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: US Capitol Building

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: The Apotheosis of Washington

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic Chamber of Reflection

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington as Zeus. Greenough

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Death of George Washington

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Library of Congress

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Masonic Symbols in Washington, DC

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: The Great Seal of the United States

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: George Washington Masonic Memorial

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Melancolia by Albrecht Durer

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Washington National Cathedral

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: House of the Temple

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Altar. House of the Temple

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: The Washington Monument

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: Author

Deciphering the Lost Symbol. by Christopher Hodapp: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Louise Bourgoin as Adele Blanc-Sec. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Louise Bourgoin

French Actress, Model & Star of

Les Aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

by Travis Simpkins

"The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec"- movie trailer

For more info, please visit:

wikipedia.org/AdèleBlanc-Sec

Louise Bourgoin. by Travis Simpkins. Adele Blanc-Sec in Egypt

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Virgin and Child, 1495. by Travis Simpkins

Virgin and Child, 1495. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Travis Simpkins

Sketch of a

"Virgin and Child"

1495

Sculpted by Benedetto da Maiano

Collection of the

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

by Travis Simpkins

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Sketches by Travis Simpkins

Worcester Art Museum: Aztec "Fertility Goddess". by Travis Simpkins

Aztec Fertility Goddess, 1450-1521. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of an

Aztec

Fertility Goddess

1450 - 1521

Stone

Collection of the
Worcester Art Museum

by Travis Simpkins

Roman Holiday (1953): Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

Directed by William Wyler, Roman Holiday (1953) was credited to writer Ian Hunter but was really penned by Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted and was forced to keep his name off the production. The film marked the starring lead debut of Audrey Hepburn, who deservedly won the best Actress Academy Award in her very first headlining part. The story focuses on a beautiful princess, bored and frustrated with her daily routine, who runs away on a fun-filled adventure through the ancient sites of Rome in the company of an American news reporter (though she is unaware that he works for the press). Charming, elegant and humorous throughout, the film is unforgettable… a true Classic. The whole cast does a wonderful job, including Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck and Eddie Albert.