"When completed this will be the handsomest building in town."  Excerpt from news article in Bedford Democrat, September 20, 1895.

History of this Building:

January 1895:
Liberty Lodge No. 95 A.F. and A.M. bought the lot at Main and Court Streets from Bedford City and hired Roanoke architect Harry H. Huggins to design their new lodge building.

8 April 1895:
Masons accept a bid of $5,400 from E. G. Buck, builder.

6 May 1895:
The cornerstone is laid at the northeast corner of the building.  In February 1979, the contents were removed to the new lodge on Longwood.  The original cornerstone is still part of this building.

20 September 1895:
A news article in the Bedford Democrat proclaims, "The Masonic Temple is now taking on the appearance of a finished building.  The third floor, which will be reserved for the Lodge Room, is completed and about ready for occupancy and a few days more work will do to finish the second.  When completed this will be one of the handsomest buildings in town."

14 October 1895:
Liberty Masonic Lodge No. 95 holds first meeting in new building.

10 February 1896:
Minutes of the Lodge contain an itemized cost of the building, $5,566.00 paid to E. G. Buck, Contractor.

The Masons decided to rent out the rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors for income.  Several attorneys had offices here because the location was close to the courthouse.

In1978, the Masons voted to build a new lodge building on Longwood Avenue and sold this building to Bedford City and Bedford County.  In turn, after much citizen input, they leased it to the newly chartered Bedford City/County Museum.  So, finally, after many years, the museum had a permanent home.  The last meeting of Liberty Lodge No. 95 held in this structure was 9 April 1979.

In July 1979, the Bedford City/County Museum opened in this very building as a local history museum.  Since that time, improvements have been made by adding carpet, new display cases, air conditioning and painting.  Also, an addition was carefully added to the back of the museum, adding an elevator, handicap accessible restrooms and some much needed storage space.    

This building is part of the Bedford Historical District.

Interior details to note are:
- Doors with glass and some names of offices are still there
- A staircase railing that is curved at the top
- The massive door frames with rosettes at top corners
- Decorative door knobs

Exterior details:
- Extensive use of arches over door and some windows for strength and distinctive appearance
- Multi-colored brick
- Stone archways
- Terra cotta ornamentation
- Variety of lintels over other windows
- The Masonic emblem and the year "1895" on the west end of the building
- The slate roof on the three peaks.