When Gordon G. Martin, senior vice president of Alabama Power Company, accepted the reins as president of the Friends of Alabama Heritage Board of Directors, he asked outgoing president, Dr. Cathy Randall, “Where’s the gavel?” What was a funny dialog between board members turned into the creation of a welcomed and treasured gift.
After the 2018 Friends of Alabama Heritage Board Meeting, the board took a quick tour of the Bryce facilities with Tim Leopard, associate vice president for Construction Administration at the University of Alabama. Tim presented each attendee a small slab of wood from a ca. 1850s beam that was removed during the Bryce renovations. Martin realized this historic beam would make the perfect gavel, and he worked with David Traylor, owner of Birmingham’s City Hardwood, to create the piece.
The gavel was presented by Martin to the Friends of Alabama Heritage Board at its February 2019 meeting for its inaugural use.
After the 2018 Friends of Alabama Heritage Board Meeting, the board took a quick tour of the Bryce facilities with Tim Leopard, associate vice president for Construction Administration at the University of Alabama. Tim presented each attendee a small slab of wood from a ca. 1850s beam that was removed during the Bryce renovations. Martin realized this historic beam would make the perfect gavel, and he worked with David Traylor, owner of Birmingham’s City Hardwood, to create the piece.
The gavel was presented by Martin to the Friends of Alabama Heritage Board at its February 2019 meeting for its inaugural use.