Basilica/ Maryland Senate Ceremony
The Sons of the Revolution in the State of Maryland in mid-March 2022 sponsored an interfaith service in Baltimore to dedicate, in the name of George Washington’s Maryland 400, a specially-crafted and magnificently decorated gavel set and storage box to be officially used and displayed in the Maryland State House. The gavel is made from the wood of two of the state’s most historic native trees, the Liberty Tree and the Wye Oak. SRMD sponsored the production and presentation of this unique Senate gavel to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the laying of the State House’s cornerstone.
The ceremony held March 19th, 2022 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin brought together several religious and political leaders, as well as fellow SRMD members and representatives from a few other historical societies.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
On Maryland Day, March 25th, 2022, the gavel, sounding board, and presentation case were transported by the Pride of Baltimore II down the Chesapeake to Annapolis. There, the set was put on public display near the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House. The State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capital of continuous legislative use and the only one ever to have served as a meeting place for Congress. The Confederation Congress (1781-1788) convened in Annapolis from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784. George Washington tendered there his resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, after bidding his officers farewell at the Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
The Pride of Baltimore II arrives in Annapolis, welcomed by SRMD members
The three items were fashioned from the wood of the Western Shore’s Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar that had stood for 400 years near the State House grounds, and the Eastern Shore’s Wye Oak, a white oak that had been the oldest and largest of its kind and was designated the State Tree in 1939. The Liberty Tree collapsed in 1999, and the Wye Oak fell in 2002.
SRMD member Scott Watkins conceived of the project in 2019. He had been one of many Marylanders to collect some wood from the Wye Oak and some roots from the Liberty Tree. Years later, he donated these materials to have a gavel, sounding board, and presentation box made for display and official use in the State House. He presented the project idea to SRMD in hopes its Officers and Board would approve and adopt the project for sponsorship, which it did.
Watkins was appointed to shepherd every phase of the project from beginning to end. “The poetry of the two woods made sense,” he said. “The delicate and soft wood of the roots of the Liberty Tree are precious, like liberty and democracy. They should be supported and protected with care and vigilance, represented by the strength and durability of the Wye Oak.”
The Gavel & Sounding Board
Watkins drew preliminary sketches of each piece, including with the historical imagery to be used. Those sketches were presented to Thomas Brown Woodwright LLC, which drew up the working plans. The gavel and sounding board were turned by Jared Truso, and the finish was applied by Phil Kerrigan. The main body of the mallet is made from the Wye Oak, with the center turn representing Maryland’s contribution to the First Amendment of the Constitution with the Act Concerning Religion of 1649. The lighter colored turns are made from the roots of the Liberty Tree. Each of the turns represents historic events that occurred in the State House:
The base of the sounding board is made from the Wye Oak with marquetry in the form of a star made from a root of the Liberty Tree. The star also represents Maryland, the seventh star of the Republic. When turning over the sounding board, the natural and unfinished root can be viewed.
The Presentation Case
Designs for the presentation case were inspired by monuments to George Washington and the Revolutionary War in Baltimore. The base or footing of the case has a colonial-era styling that graduates to the case itself, consistent with its neo-classical federal design. On each side of the case are two columns of three reeds each. This makes a total of twenty-four reeds around the box, corresponding to the number of battles in which Maryland participated In the American Revolution.
In addition to the woods of the Liberty Tree and the Wye Oak, other components of the case include the woods provided by Thomas Brown from an original Arlington Cherry tree and the Thompson Walnut. All Maryland veterans who died in service are represented by the Arlington Cherry. On the bottom of the box is the bark from a walnut tree that witnessed the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
Faux finish artist and decorator Jacqueline Moore was commissioned to hand paint the arms of the Calvert family, the Lords Baltimore, Maryland’s founders. This black and gold design was also used in the flags of Maryland’s early defense forces leading up to the early phases of the American Revolution.
Each corner of the case’s lid is decorated with the leaves of the Wye Oak. The top side of the case is decorated with tulip poplar leaves from the Liberty Tree. The emblem of the SR is mounted above the hand-engraved sterling silver plaque by Rod Merson, formerly of Kirk-Stieff, and is secured with sterling fasteners that resemble the blooms on a tulip poplar. Eight hand-engraved sterling strips surround the case engraved with the dates and events which correspond to the turns on the gavel. The presentation plaque reads:
“THE LIBERTY TREE AND WYE OAK GAVEL
PRESENTED TO
THE PEOPLE AND SENATE OF MARYLAND
BY THE
SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND
IN MEMORY OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S OLD LINE
THE MARYLAND 400”
The Maryland 400 gained their fame by bravely covering the American retreat at the Battle of Long Island (August 27, 1776). The bloody battle was a significant win for the British army and led to its subsequent occupation of New York City. Facing an overwhelming number of British troops, Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Sterling, and Maj. Mordecai Gist with about 260 Marylanders took up position near the Vechte-Cortelyou House (Old Stone House) to defend the American withdrawal from Long Island. Under intense enemy fire, they repeatedly counter-attacked nearly 2,000 Redcoats to save the Continental Army from certain annihilation. Washington himself, overlooking the retreat from nearby Brooklyn Heights, remarked, “Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose.” Publisher James Thomas Field later described the efforts as an “hour more precious to American Liberty than any other.”
Pageantry Details
During the March 19th ceremony, Maryland National Guard’s Adjutant General Timothy E. Gowen recalled the bravery of Maryland’s Old Line. After paying tribute to America’s defense of liberty, French Consul General Francois Penguilly spoke of the continuing fight for freedom, even referring to Ukrainian citizens taking up arms to protect their own country. “It is important to remember the cost of freedom,” Penguilly said. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori noted that the gavel is not only a symbol of authority, “the gavel is also a symbol of convening, of bringing people together.”
Upon the arrival of the Liberty Tree Wye Oak Senate Gavel to Annapolis, officers and the Board of the Maryland Society arrived dockside to retrieve the gavel set. They were then escorted by the MASSAR Color Guard and the Ft. McHenry Guard and Drums from the wharf through thee amin street up to the steps of the State House. At the Senate Chamber door, the party was met by the 3rd United States Army Infantry Regiment Honor Color Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
On the command of Bill Ferguson, the Sergeant at Arms opened the chamber doors for the procession to march in escorted by The Old Guard under colors with fife and drum. Scott Watkins approached the dais, and presented the gavel to President Ferguson and the Senate. The Liberty Tree Wye Oak Senate Gavel is now on permanent display in the State House next to the Old Senate Chamber where George Washington presented his resignation. It will be used for special events, including Opening Session and Maryland Day.
-This article is reprinted from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the GSSR’s Drumbeat
The ceremony held March 19th, 2022 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin brought together several religious and political leaders, as well as fellow SRMD members and representatives from a few other historical societies.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
On Maryland Day, March 25th, 2022, the gavel, sounding board, and presentation case were transported by the Pride of Baltimore II down the Chesapeake to Annapolis. There, the set was put on public display near the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House. The State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capital of continuous legislative use and the only one ever to have served as a meeting place for Congress. The Confederation Congress (1781-1788) convened in Annapolis from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784. George Washington tendered there his resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, after bidding his officers farewell at the Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
The Pride of Baltimore II arrives in Annapolis, welcomed by SRMD members
The three items were fashioned from the wood of the Western Shore’s Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar that had stood for 400 years near the State House grounds, and the Eastern Shore’s Wye Oak, a white oak that had been the oldest and largest of its kind and was designated the State Tree in 1939. The Liberty Tree collapsed in 1999, and the Wye Oak fell in 2002.
SRMD member Scott Watkins conceived of the project in 2019. He had been one of many Marylanders to collect some wood from the Wye Oak and some roots from the Liberty Tree. Years later, he donated these materials to have a gavel, sounding board, and presentation box made for display and official use in the State House. He presented the project idea to SRMD in hopes its Officers and Board would approve and adopt the project for sponsorship, which it did.
Watkins was appointed to shepherd every phase of the project from beginning to end. “The poetry of the two woods made sense,” he said. “The delicate and soft wood of the roots of the Liberty Tree are precious, like liberty and democracy. They should be supported and protected with care and vigilance, represented by the strength and durability of the Wye Oak.”
The Gavel & Sounding Board
Watkins drew preliminary sketches of each piece, including with the historical imagery to be used. Those sketches were presented to Thomas Brown Woodwright LLC, which drew up the working plans. The gavel and sounding board were turned by Jared Truso, and the finish was applied by Phil Kerrigan. The main body of the mallet is made from the Wye Oak, with the center turn representing Maryland’s contribution to the First Amendment of the Constitution with the Act Concerning Religion of 1649. The lighter colored turns are made from the roots of the Liberty Tree. Each of the turns represents historic events that occurred in the State House:
- 1769 The Maryland Assembly
- 1774 The Burning of the Peggy Stewart
- 1775 Association of Maryland Freemen
- 1776 Maryland’s Charter and Declaration of Rights
- 1783 Washington’s Resignation of His Commission
- 1784 Ratification of the Treaty of Paris
- 1786 The Call to the States for the Constitutional Convention
The base of the sounding board is made from the Wye Oak with marquetry in the form of a star made from a root of the Liberty Tree. The star also represents Maryland, the seventh star of the Republic. When turning over the sounding board, the natural and unfinished root can be viewed.
The Presentation Case
Designs for the presentation case were inspired by monuments to George Washington and the Revolutionary War in Baltimore. The base or footing of the case has a colonial-era styling that graduates to the case itself, consistent with its neo-classical federal design. On each side of the case are two columns of three reeds each. This makes a total of twenty-four reeds around the box, corresponding to the number of battles in which Maryland participated In the American Revolution.
In addition to the woods of the Liberty Tree and the Wye Oak, other components of the case include the woods provided by Thomas Brown from an original Arlington Cherry tree and the Thompson Walnut. All Maryland veterans who died in service are represented by the Arlington Cherry. On the bottom of the box is the bark from a walnut tree that witnessed the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
Faux finish artist and decorator Jacqueline Moore was commissioned to hand paint the arms of the Calvert family, the Lords Baltimore, Maryland’s founders. This black and gold design was also used in the flags of Maryland’s early defense forces leading up to the early phases of the American Revolution.
Each corner of the case’s lid is decorated with the leaves of the Wye Oak. The top side of the case is decorated with tulip poplar leaves from the Liberty Tree. The emblem of the SR is mounted above the hand-engraved sterling silver plaque by Rod Merson, formerly of Kirk-Stieff, and is secured with sterling fasteners that resemble the blooms on a tulip poplar. Eight hand-engraved sterling strips surround the case engraved with the dates and events which correspond to the turns on the gavel. The presentation plaque reads:
“THE LIBERTY TREE AND WYE OAK GAVEL
PRESENTED TO
THE PEOPLE AND SENATE OF MARYLAND
BY THE
SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND
IN MEMORY OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S OLD LINE
THE MARYLAND 400”
The Maryland 400 gained their fame by bravely covering the American retreat at the Battle of Long Island (August 27, 1776). The bloody battle was a significant win for the British army and led to its subsequent occupation of New York City. Facing an overwhelming number of British troops, Maj. Gen. William Alexander, Lord Sterling, and Maj. Mordecai Gist with about 260 Marylanders took up position near the Vechte-Cortelyou House (Old Stone House) to defend the American withdrawal from Long Island. Under intense enemy fire, they repeatedly counter-attacked nearly 2,000 Redcoats to save the Continental Army from certain annihilation. Washington himself, overlooking the retreat from nearby Brooklyn Heights, remarked, “Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose.” Publisher James Thomas Field later described the efforts as an “hour more precious to American Liberty than any other.”
Pageantry Details
During the March 19th ceremony, Maryland National Guard’s Adjutant General Timothy E. Gowen recalled the bravery of Maryland’s Old Line. After paying tribute to America’s defense of liberty, French Consul General Francois Penguilly spoke of the continuing fight for freedom, even referring to Ukrainian citizens taking up arms to protect their own country. “It is important to remember the cost of freedom,” Penguilly said. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori noted that the gavel is not only a symbol of authority, “the gavel is also a symbol of convening, of bringing people together.”
Upon the arrival of the Liberty Tree Wye Oak Senate Gavel to Annapolis, officers and the Board of the Maryland Society arrived dockside to retrieve the gavel set. They were then escorted by the MASSAR Color Guard and the Ft. McHenry Guard and Drums from the wharf through thee amin street up to the steps of the State House. At the Senate Chamber door, the party was met by the 3rd United States Army Infantry Regiment Honor Color Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
On the command of Bill Ferguson, the Sergeant at Arms opened the chamber doors for the procession to march in escorted by The Old Guard under colors with fife and drum. Scott Watkins approached the dais, and presented the gavel to President Ferguson and the Senate. The Liberty Tree Wye Oak Senate Gavel is now on permanent display in the State House next to the Old Senate Chamber where George Washington presented his resignation. It will be used for special events, including Opening Session and Maryland Day.
-This article is reprinted from the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the GSSR’s Drumbeat
