Monday Minute: George Washington's Gavel from a Historic Elm Tree

In this Monday Minute in the Archives, we take a closer look at a remarkable piece of American history—a gavel connected to George Washington himself, now on display at the Reagan Library as part of the America 250 exhibition. This gavel was made from a piece of the original elm tree under which George Washington took command of the first American Army on July 3, 1775. That single moment marked the beginning of Washington's leadership over the fight for independence. Years later, in 1982, the gavel was gifted to President Reagan by Ira David Keizer and Frank Conway. Today, it stands as a lasting link between two chapters of American leadership—one at the nation's founding and one in its modern era. This piece is part of the Reagan Library's America 250 exhibition, a special collection honoring 250 years of American history and the leaders who shaped this nation. What piece of American history would you most like to see up close? Let us know in the comments below. To learn more about the America 250 exhibition, visit reaganfoundation.org/a250. For more information on the ongoing works of President Reagan's Foundation, please visit http://www.reaganfoundation.org Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RonaldReagan Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronaldreagan Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/reaganfoundation Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronald-reagan-presidential-library-foundation Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/newsletter #reagan #ronaldreagan #mondayminute #georgewashington #americanhistory