The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library

We warmly welcome you to explore our latest video!

https://youtu.be/2ARGWQYR67g?si=qzIFn-l3yODZStLP

A special thanks to the M∴W∴ Steve Rubin for his initiative and R∴W∴ Jason Short for video production.

"A funny thing happened on the way to a Royal Arch meeting—and it led to the rediscovery of a hidden 350-year-old treasure. While giving a ride to Right Worshipful Michael Lipschitz, the guest speaker for the evening, he dropped a casual mention of a book in our very own Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge: an extremely early edition of the Rosicrucians, the Fama Fraternitatis. I was stunned; I didn't even know we had it! The very next morning, I raced back to the library, searched the shelves, and there it was, literally tucked between two other books like it was nothing. This was a 1681 German edition, a profound piece of history sitting right on our bookshelf. This fascinating find, made possible only by a chance conversation, sparked immediate interest. Right Worshipful Walter Cook (1st VP, Trustee of the Library and Alex Vastola (Dir Collection Services) quickly saw the potential, turning this surprising discovery into a preservation project.

Join us on this journey as we explore a treasure we had all along and realize that the most profound finds of the Library and Museum are often yet to be fully uncovered."

Sincerely and fraternally,

R∴W∴ Michael LaRocco
Executive Director

Link to the Blog post -

Artifact of the Month! The Fama Fraternitatis – Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library Artifact of the Month! The Fama Fraternitatis October 7, 2025 Alexander Vastola The Library is currently working on a rare books survey – going through the back stacks of the Library’s collections to find rare books and manuscripts. During this survey work, it was discovered that the Library’s...