The Royal Order of Scotland first came to the United States from Scotland in 1877, with Scottish Rite Grand Commander Albert Pike as the first Provincial Grand Master. Speaking of the Royal Order of Scotland, Albert Pike wrote,
“We have desired to create an association of worthy Masons and gentlemen...to assemble annually, not for dry discussions or for display, but for social intercourse and festive enjoyment. . .
After visiting the Omaha Valley, the Provincial Grand Lodge chose to break from tradition of holding the Degrees in a hotel ballroom and decided to utilize the Omaha Scottish Rite theater for the Degrees on July 20, 2019. They Degrees were conferred on stage, with backdrops, sound, and lighting in an impressive ceremony done entirely in rhyme and by memory by the officers.
34 Nebraska Masons from across the state applied and were approved to receive the Heredom of Kilwinning and Knight of the Rosy Cross of the Royal Order Degrees, along with 52 Brethren from around the nation.
Candidates are required to have some degree of both Masonic “stripes,” which can be York Rite or Scottish Rite honors, service as an officer in the Rites, the Shrine, or Blue Lodge, along with military experience and civic engagement. All Nebraska candidates had distinguished themselves with service to Freemasonry as well as service to their communities in an impressive list of non-profit Boards and civic organizations.
Afterward, the Sir Knights and their ladies enjoyed fellowship during a banquet hosted at the Omaha Scottish Rite. Speaking of the Royal Order, Provincial Grand Master Sir James Winzinreid challenged members, many of whom are Past Grand Masters, Potentates, Scottish Rite or York Rite officers, as well as active men in their communities, to develop the unity between the Masonic bodies, and in the larger world.
Members of the Royal Order of Scotland in Nebraska have expressed their desire to fulfill Albert Pike’s original vision of “social intercourse and festive enjoyment,” with an annual event in Hastings, Lincoln, or Omaha. This event would welcome an interesting speaker during an elegant dinner, and bringing together Nebraska members for fellowship and Brotherhood.