Root Cellar is celebrating its 32nd birthday this October. It seems like only yesterday that this fledgling organization was bringing its library in apple boxes to each society meeting. Librarian, Jack Bank, faithfully arrived at each meeting with his load of apple boxes filled with the growing collection on books.
In 1978 several people who took a genealogy class from Helen Campbell-Lucas at American River College wanted to see if there would be enough interest to start a genealogy society that would meet in the evening for those who worked during the day. Helen, Glenda Lloyd, Joyce Hoffman, Muriel Sather and Sue O’Dell attended that class; Helen, Glenda and Sue are still members of Root Cellar today. The organizational meeting was held in June at the Fair Oaks Library with about 40 people expressing interest in forming a society. Glenda served as the first president and has continued to serve on the Board. October was set as the birthday month.
Root Cellar started a library with a few “how-to” books. Evelyn Mumma was the first Librarian. After Evelyn, Mary Pitts became Librarian and continued until her death in 1993. During her tenure the library was housed at Casa Roble High School and later moved to Carmichael Public Library. Jan Riggs was Librarian for a short time. When more space was needed, the Library moved to the California State Archives, Secretary of State’s building in downtown Sacramento where it is currently housed. Bob Wilson and Sammie Hudgens then took over this gigantic commitment and have continued to manage the acquisition, housing and management of approximately 500 periodicals and 5,000 volumes.
Root Cellar continues to thrive and is always seeking new ways to serve the Sacramento genealogical community. Join us for this adventure of chasing our ancestors.
Posted by Ron Setzer
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