About ICHF

ICHF is not a Masonic organisation. The majority of members of the academic committee are not Freemasons and the Conference Organiser, Northern Networking, is headed by Mrs Gill Moore who is not a Freemason.

The Mission Statement of the International Conference on the History of Freemasonry (ICHF) is simple:

To provide an international forum for scholars

researching any aspect of Freemasonry.

ICHF is interested in Freemasonry as a an academic subject in its own right. It operates only to arrange a biennial conference on the history of Freemasonry in all its aspects. ICHF is not a profit making organisation although obviously using a commercial conference organiser (Northern Networking Events Ltd.) has cost implications ICHF is not associated commercially with the the conference organisers. Any 'windfall' surplus which happened to accrue to ICHF would not be retained by that body but would be re-invested in a variety of ways - donations to charities, assistance to students to attend future ICHF's etc.

Many academics across the world have, and continue to, study Freemasonry from a variety of perspectives, for example: social history, philosophy, geography and colonialisation to mention but a few. However, it was appreciated that much of the study of Freemasonry was being conducted in isolation and so it seemed reasonable that an International Conference be organised so that for the first time scholars researching any aspect of Freemasonry could come together. The potential for the sharing of ideas and knowledge is obvious as is the positive benefits which come from networking on an international scale.

The 2007 ICHF Conference was held in Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh, because it is available and is centrally located in the city. Scotland is also considered by many to be the place where modern Freemasonry originated (no doubt a subject for much discussion at ICHF 2009!) but there remains one further important reason why it was decided that Scotland should host ICHF for second occasion and this is simply because 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the National Bard of Scotland - Robert Burns (1759 - 1796). Before ICHF moves on, to a place yet to be decided, it was felt fitting that this conference be held partly to commemorate the life of a unique and active Freemason - Robert Burns but also to refine and increase awareness of ICHF. Many of us involved with ICHF hope that some of the proposals for papers will be submitted regarding this particular Scottish Freemason.

Freemasons' Hall is a public building which welcomes visitors from all over the world whether or not they are Freemasons. For more information about Freemasons Hall click here.

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