Members of the Sons of the American Revolution, Richard Montgomery Chapter, which represents Troy and all of Miami County, were treated to a tour of the Dayton Masonic Center. The program and tour was provided by Don Taylor, Secretary of the Mason’s Lodge 147. Taylor started by addressing the group and showed a short film on the construction of the building. The Dayton Masonic Center, formerly known as the Dayton Masonic Temple, was built by a Masonic Temple Association formed from 14 Masonic groups. The building was completed over a 2 year, 9 month period and completed in 1928 by 450 workers, a majority of whom were Masonic Brethren. Taylor then took the Sons of the American Revolution on an extended walking tour showing off many of the meeting rooms, ballroom, and the impressive Scottish Rite Auditorium, which seats 1800. He pointed out many of the building’s features like the beautifully painted ceilings, restored chandeliers, images on the walls, symbolic drapes, designs in the tile floors, ornamented light fixtures, and the seven pipe organs.

Although the Sons of the American Revolution Chapter regularly meet at the center, few members had seen much of the building except for their meeting room. The Masons provide this meeting room at no charge to the SAR Chapter. The tour was well received by the appreciative gathering. “I think it is such a beautiful and historic building,” said Mark Allex, SAR Chapter Treasurer. “It was an outstanding program and a wonderful tour,” he added.

The Sons of the American Revolution is a non-profit charitable organization affiliated with the Ohio Society and National Society of SAR, whose members have proven ancestry to patriotic activity during the Revolutionary War and founding of the United States of America. The Richard Montgomery Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution meet at 7:30pm on the first Wednesdays of the month (except for a summer break of July and August) at the Dayton Masonic Center located at 2450 Riverview Rd in Dayton. Potential programs and guests should call 937-335-7345 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.