Containing a large ballroom and other meeting space, the building was an important venue in Winona for both Masonic activities and general public events.

[2] The Winona Masonic Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 for having state-level significance in the themes of art and social history.

[3] It was nominated as the headquarters of a fraternal organization important to Winona's civic and social development, and for containing Minnesota's largest collection of Masonic theatre backdrops and stage equipment.

In 1863 and 1864 local chapters of the Royal Arch and Knights Templar Masons merged with the Winona Lodge.

The WMBA bought ninety-eight hand-painted scenic drops that were produced by Sosman and Landis Scene Painting Studios in Chicago.

[2] The Masons were highly respected in Winona, and the construction of the temple only served to heighten their presence in the community.

Masonic events held at the temple consistently brought large numbers of people to Winona.

The town's role as a Scottish Rite headquarters also brought regional Masonic conferences to the city for over eighty years.