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HISTORY
The Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 was
founded on 06 May 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The concept
was conceived by Founder Karen Avery Miller (Mrs. H. Clay Miller).
Mrs. Miller felt there was a need in the hereditary community
for an organization that focused on honoring Colonial ancestral
artisans. She shared her thoughts and plans with a group of
friends gathered together to research at the LDS Family History
Library. Mutual interest gave rise to serious effort and determination,
and the group began immediate plans to form a new lineage society,
the Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783.
The Founding Executive Council and members of a Founding Advisory
Council were invited to serve at the discretion of Mrs. Miller.
The Founding Officers of the Society were: Karen Avery Miller,
President General; Barbara Roberts Baylis, First Vice President
General; Laurie Goggan Wharton, Second Vice President General;
Karen E. McClendon, Recording Secretary General; Al'Louise
Suthers Ramp, Corresponding Secretary General; Mary Reid Goss
Warner, Treasurer General; Jeannine Sheldon Kallal, Registrar
General; Mary Nelson "Nell" Moss White, Chaplain General. Members
of the Founding Advisory Council were the Rev. Dr. Dixon A.
Barr; Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck; Helen Pairsh Brooks; David Carline
Smith.
An organizational meeting was held in Dallas, Texas in June
2004. The founding term of office was set for three years,
at the end of which time the Advisory Council would be dissolved
and the first election of officers held. All officers thereafter
would be elected for two year terms. By late July 2004, Bylaws
were compiled and the services of an attorney were obtained
to apply for incorporation in the State of Texas. Invitations
to Charter Membership were extended to family, friends and
individuals active in the hereditary community on 01 September
2004.
In January 2005, the Guild's website was posted and the first
issue of the Guild Gazette Newsletter was distributed. The
Guild's insignia was designed and drawn by the Founder and
created by CityPride Jewelers of Jenkintown, PA. The official
insignia was revealed at the Society's First Annual Meeting
on 14 April 2005, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. In attendance
for the business meeting and champagne reception were 42 Charter
members and 3 guests. Charter membership ended as of 01 April
2005 with 12 Founding members and 117 Charter members. The
Guild was granted 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Exemption in 2006.
The Guild continues to meet annually at the Mayflower
Hotel in Washington D.C. each April. It also continues
to annually select an organization that relates closely to
the Guild's
purposes and objectives as the recipient of a charitable
donation. As of January
2009, the Guild has 226 members throughout the continental
United States and Canada. Membership is by invitation and is
extended to those who are direct descendants of Colonial artisan
ancestors. Membership inquiries
are most welcome.
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