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.

On July 17, 1964 the club became a member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

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.

February, 1971, saw the initial issue of our club bulletin with it’s familiar cover of the ‘Old Miner with his Pan.” Junior membership under the apt leadership of Chuck Follansbee led to the increase of membership to 40.
Members enjoyed many interesting field trips led by Bill Braun, Chairman, and Jim Knepher was making early plans for the club’s Annual Show, which, as in previous years surpassed its predecessor. Sustained lack of interest in Junior activities, unfortunately, caused abandonment of the Sequoia Junior Rockhounds.
At the annual Christmas potluck dinner new officers for 1972 were installed:
Preston Bingham, President; Chuck Follansbee, Vice President
May Atkinson, Secretary; Ralph Schultz, Treasurer
Virginia Klenzing, Federation Director
 

Led by Oscar Fuqua, 1972 saw field trip attendance greatly increased. Also a successful year at the lapidary class of the Redwood City Recreation Department overseen by Russ Mount and manned by instructors and maintained by members of our club.
The 6th Annual Show of the Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society was a great success under the chairmanship of Lee Mason. More than usual publicity helped the attendance. The Christmas potluck dinner with Art Smith as Santa ushered out the year and saw new officers installed:
Preston Bingham, President; Chuck Follansbee, Vice President
Lucy Welch, Secretary; Jim Kennedy, Treasurer
Virginia Klenzing, Federation Director
 

The early part of year 1973 found Show Chairman, Chuck Follansbee busy lining up a team of workers that will insure success of the Club’s 7th Annual Show. Editorship of Dorothy Knepher and the Rockette keept the membership well informed of current events.

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...)