In the 125 years that the California Genealogical Society has been knocking around, we’ve acquired a number of interesting artifacts. One such item, the ceremonial President’s gavel, is still in use. Now nearly 110 years old, the gavel was a gift of Sarah Soule McMillan Patton in 1915. It’s made of wood from Roanoke Island, North Carolina, where Sir Walter Raleigh established an ill-fated colony in 1585.
The inscription on the silver band reads:
SIR WALTER RALEIGH’S COLONY
1585 ROANOKE ISLAND NC
CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
1915 SARAH SOULE MCMILLAN PATTON
Chris Pattillo hold the CGS gavel as Jim Sorenson looks on
The gavel has been passed from one CGS President to the next for over a century, and recently Past President Jim Sorenson presented it to current President Chris Pattillo. Despite its age, it’s sturdy enough to deliver a satisfying whack, as Chris demonstrated at the close of the last Board meeting.
MAR
2024