Yankton Scottish Rite hosted a public open house at its Scottish Rite Masonic Center located at 333 Cedar Street in Yankton on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.  Throughout the day, guided tours of the building, food and beverages, silent auction, and more were offered.

At 2:30, a dedication of the replacement flagpole was held as members from the Yankton VFW Post 791 hoisted the 25’ X 15’ U. S. Flag and the National Anthem was sung by Ann Swift of Yankton.  Liz Almlie, a representative of the South Dakota Historical Society, presented an award of $25,000.00 to assist in the repair of the original slate roof. 

The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple is being considered for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Buildings in the very near future.  The building has been a landmark of the Yankton community and has served as the home of the Yankton Masonic bodies for more than a century since its completion in 1903.  Storms over the last 2 years caused loss of the original flagpole in front of the building, damage to the slate roof and subsequent water damage to the building’s interior, including some of the more than 50 unique theatrical drops in the third floor theatre.  The flagpole was replaced last winter.  Restoration of the roof is scheduled to begin in July with work completion later this fall. Interior work will follow completion of the roofing project.