Early History (as recounted by Preston Bingham, Club Historian)

The first meeting of the Sequoia Gem and Mineral Society was held in December 1963 at the home of the McMillans. The first set of elected officers were:

President: Harry Bottomiller

Secretary: Glen Smith

Treasurer: Harry McMillan

Earl Rice was subsequently elected Vice President in March 1964.

The first "Open House" or "Rock Show" was held in May 1964 with six families displaying their handiwork.

By January 1965 the Club membership had reached 100. The club bulletin - the ROCKETTE - went to press by February 1965.

In March 1966 a lapidary workshop was set up by the Redwood City Recreation Department and the San Francisco 49'ers with the SGMS providing the instructors.

In February 1971 the bulletin first displayed the club emblem of the old miner with his gold pan.

As of August 1974, club membership had reached 142 members.

The current lapidary workshop at Little House in Menlo Park was created in 1994.

(to be continued...)