There is a quiet hum to the Grand Lodge of Iowa Library and Museum. It is
the kind of stillness that only exists in places built to hold memory. Shelves
of bound periodicals, cabinets of artifacts, and the soft rustle of archival
boxes create an atmosphere that feels both scholarly and sacred. At the center
of this world is Julia Wells, the Assistant Librarian and Curator, whose work
ensures that the history of Iowa Masonry is not only preserved but understood.
Julia’s path to this role began long before she ever stepped into the
building. “I have always had an interest in history,” she told me, “and wanted
to preserve and teach it to others.” Her background leans more toward museums
and archives than traditional library science, but that blend of skills is
exactly what a Masonic library requires. She holds a BA in History and an MA in
Public History with a focus on Historical Administration, both from the
University of North Alabama. Public History includes everything from the
National Park Service to museums and archival institutions. She also serves on
professional boards, including the Masonic Library and Museum Association and
the Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium, which connects her work to a
broader network of preservation professionals.
Her arrival at the Grand Lodge of Iowa was almost serendipitous. “I heard
through the Masonic grapevine that there was a position opening,” she said with
a smile. She had already considered working within the Masonic family after
graduate school, so when the opportunity appeared, she applied, interviewed,
and joined the staff in October of 2022. It was her first real taste of library
science, and she took to it immediately.
One of the most striking things about the library is the diversity of
people who walk through its doors. “Many of our researchers are members of the
Craft,” Julia explained, “but we also have members of the public come in to use
various other collections we house in the library stacks.” Some come seeking
genealogical threads. Others are scholars tracing the development of fraternal
organizations. Still others are new Masons working through the Grand Lodge’s
recommended reading list.
Lately, research has centered heavily on the Prince Hall Masonic
materials donated by Joseph A. Walkes. This collection has become a significant
resource for those studying African American Masonic history. Others dive into
the library’s extensive bound periodicals, a treasure trove of Masonic thought
stretching back generations.
But preserving these materials is not without its challenges. “The
biggest challenge we face currently is fighting against the damage to the piece
before it came into our care,” Julia said. Most people do not know best
practices for storing documents, books, or textiles, nor should they be
expected to. By the time an item reaches the library, it may already have
endured decades of poor storage, humidity, or handling. “We are often fighting
against time that has already passed,” she said, “to ensure the object is in
the safest care possible.”
Digitization is happening, but deliberately. “We are scanning as
researchers ask for passages in larger works,” she explained. For now, her
focus is on the museum side of the institution, the part of the work where her
training is deepest.
When I asked what visitors tend to enjoy most, her answer revealed
something important about the dual identity of the library and museum.
Freemasons gravitate toward the temporary exhibits on appendant bodies or
displays highlighting the fraternity’s contributions to the community. Members
of the public are often drawn to the artifacts brought back from Masonic
travels, objects that carry the romance of distance and the curiosity of the
unfamiliar.
What becomes clear in talking with Julia is that the Library and Museum
is far more than a collection of books and artifacts. It is a living
institution shaped by the people who care for it. Sitting with Julia felt like meeting the
quiet heartbeat behind everything I had just seen. The architecture may impress, but it is people like her who give the Library and
Museum its soul. Listening to her talk about the work, the challenges, the
small victories, and the care she gives to every fragile page and artifact
reminded me that our history survives because someone chooses to love it enough
to protect it. Ending this series with her story feels right. It brings the
whole journey back to the human level, where Craft has always lived: in the
hands of dedicated people who believe our past is worth preserving for those
who will come after us.
If you enjoyed this article,I recommend you read:
"The Building That Protects Our Treasures"
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