A Historic Landmark
Cornerstone Center for the Arts is an architectural and historic gem for Muncie and the surrounding community. As stewards of this treasure, we endeavor to make it sing - activated with arts education, community events, and more. Originally Muncie’s Masonic Temple, our building’s history has been captured in several places. We encourage you to explore those stories here and through the links provided.
Excerpt from Wikipedia
Excerpts from the Delaware Lodge history
Gustave A Brand Murals
For the interior of the Masonic Temple, Gustave Adolph Brand designed the murals. Gustave Brand was born in Parchim, Germany in 1862. …. Brand was responsible for hundreds of allegorical murals found in banks, public and fraternal buildings, churches and theaters throughout the United States. Among those are the …, the Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington .… For Muncie’s Masonic Lodge, twenty-two oil on canvas paintings, each measuring 12 by 14 feet, were commissioned. The majority of which were to be located in the Blue Lodge rooms and the main vestibule. They were painted in Chicago and then transported to Muncie.
Cuno Kibele Architecture
Cuno Kibele, architect for the Masonic Temple, was born in Bluffton, Indiana in 1866. .… On April 1, 1905, the Kibele family moved to Muncie so that Cuno could oversee the H.R. Wysor Building project. This was the time of Muncie’s gas boom and many people had money to spend so business was plentiful. His first office was located at 333-335 Johnson Building at the northeast corner of Walnut and Charles. By 1911, Kibele hired an assistant named Carl Wave Garrad, who was made a partner in the firm in 1923. It was at this time that the firm’s name was changed to Kibele & Garrad. … Besides the Masonic Temple, Kibele also designed the Wysor Building, Vatet Block, Harrison School, Merchants National Bank, Muncie Normal School Gymnasium (now located on the Ball State University campus), Rose Court Building (listed on the National Register), Ball Memorial Hospital, Canopic Apartments, Y.W.C.A., and approximately 60 residences in Muncie. Some of the firm’s commissions in other areas of the state include the First Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, Bliss Hotel, Carnegie Library, and several residences in Bluffton.