Many may wonder what lies behind the doors of the Hiram Lodge #103 in Westernport. Many may see it as a place shrouded in mystery. But in all actuality, it’s a place filled with a wealth of history.  
Masons have long been synonymous with secrets, but according to the What’s A Mason pamphlet, the only things that the masons keep secretive are their grips and passwords, which identify them as a mason, and their experience of becoming a mason. 
On August 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,  the Hiram Lodge will be opening its doors to the public.
During the open house, visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the lodge and view the various historical masonic artifacts on display, including the gold jewelry worn and passed down by past master Grace Bruce, who served in 1906.
“Many people in the area don’t even know that the lodge exists — they just think that it is part of the post office,” said Hiram Lodge Worshipful Master Robert Wiltison.
Wiltson, who is currently serving and served in 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, noted that the open house is being held so that area residents can see and learn about the lodge.  
Visitors may also view the pictures and dates of past masters, which line both sides of the wall in the dining room. The exception: Missing pictures on the wall dating back to the beginning of the lodge in 1856.
The lodge started in 1856 with 16 charter members, who met at the Westernport Union Hall in a wood structure on a site where the Odd Fellows Hall currently resides. Around 1870, the Oddfellows built a brick structure, which the lodge rented for the next 104 years, until they built their new building at 72 Main St. in October of 1971. The Oddfellows brick structure is still in existence today.
The Grand Master of Maryland and his line officers laid the cornerstone and construction began. The first floor of the building was occupied by the post office in 1972, leaving the second floor unfinished. The lodge took this opportunity to use the skills and talents of its members to finish the second floor. The lodge held the first meeting there on September 17, 1974. 
According to Wiltison, for the past 152 years the lodge has opened its doors to men of good character from all walks of life, including laborers, farmers, professionals, and businessmen seeking to inculcate the historic tenets of the fraternity. 
Throughout the years, the Hiram Lodge has served the community by donating to local fire departments and rescue squads and by attending many cornerstone-laying ceremonies in the Tri-State region.
Most recently, the lodge attended a cornerstone-laying ceremony in Romney.
The Hiram Lodge is very thankful for the moral and finical support of the Bethleham Chapter #14 of the Eastern Star, who met in the temple building for many years, Wiltison says.