Pugwash Masonic Lodge Being Restored

A local business couple is resurrecting the old Masonic Lodge in Pugwash. Bonnie Bond and John Caraberis purchased the heritage property and are trying to restore it to its 1911 greatness.

The building was largely abandoned by the local Masons who surrendered their charter and joined with their Wallace brothers.

Caraberis echoed the sentiments of many locals when said he couldn’t stand by and see it collapse.

The owner of Basic Spirit, Caraberis says he has no immediate plans for the building. His only purpose, at this point, is to remove the exterior siding and restore the building to its original brick facade.

The interior of the building looks worse than it is, with a sinking floor the most obvious. The new owner thinks a concrete floor may be the answer as much of the buildings underpinnings have rotted, as can be seen in the photo of the interior.

Caraberis was almost gleeful in giving an impromptu tour. He pointed out a number of stained glass windows which he hopes will become prominent again. Similarly, he was most expressive in describing the masonic furniture and trappings left by the departing lodge. “There’s a lot of history in here,” he noted while pointing to a giant moose head mounted on an upstairs wall.

Much of the interior bears the original building material, including the stained glass, heavy timbers, and the stamped tin ceilings.

Many have a perception that a heritage property designation carries a burden when considering renovations, but Caraberis says, “It is not that onerous, it is more about the exterior, the facade.”

He added that he and Bonnie are in no hurry with the property, they just wanted it to become a better part of the community once again.