Hosting several masonic lodges, the West Toronto Masonic Temple on Annette St is rarely seen by outside eyes. One of the few times a year that the citizens of Toronto get to peek into this building is during Doors Open Toronto, however.

The exterior of the building, not overly ornate, disguises what lies within. The main lodge chamber inside, however, proves to be a stark contrast to the outside face that people normally seen. Richly decorated with masonic symbolism, such as the Eye of Providence (all seeing eye, as some know it), the lodge room itself is a sight to behold.

The lodge room itself is based off King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, which care taken to approximate the shape and arrangement of the room. The building itself was financed by selling shares of the space to the various lodges that occupy it.

While not a secret society, but rather a society with secrets, as one of the masons overseeing Doors Open put it, it is noted that the lodge rooms itself contain no windows (whether absent or covered over) or views to the outside; purposely done to ensure that no outsiders can learn the activities that take place during meetings.

All in all, it was a rare opportunity to learn more about, as best put, a society with secrets.