On September 30, 1947, a small group of enthusiastic stamp collectors met in the Recreation Craft Room at the Redwood City’s Fire House #2 (now Station #10) at 2190 Jefferson Avenue on the corner of Myrtle Street, to form the Sequoia Stamp Club. Mrs. Alice Buell had long hoped that such a club might be organized and urged the Redwood City Recreation Department, under the leadership of Mr. Alfred Morton, to sponsor such a group and provide a meeting place, which they did.
The club elected Colonel Louis Weiss as president and set the annual club dues at $1. The membership unanimously voted to make Alfred “Red” Morton their first Honorary Member for his untiring and splendid efforts in promoting the formation of the club and the Junior Stamp Club. Hired in 1937, Mr. Morton was Redwood City’s first recreation director. The Recreation Department graciously furnished stencils, postcards, and supplies for SSC meeting notices.
Mounting interest in philately and stimulating programs increased the membership to over 80 individuals, causing the craft room at the Fire House to bulge at its seams.
In March 1950, it became necessary to transfer the club meetings and events to a larger venue: the YMCA building at 1234 Brewster Avenue in Redwood City.
In 1956, the completion of the new Sequoia YMCA building at 1445 Hudson Street (still there in 2014) provided an even better facility which further enhanced the activities of the club. However, with the increased popularity of the YMCA, as well as continuing growth of the club membership, another move was necessary. In 1962, the club began meeting in the Friendship Room of the American Savings and Loan Association of California at 1615 Woodside Road. This was an excellent meeting place, but there was a drawback. It was on the second floor and some of the older members found climbing the stairs too difficult, so in January 1965 a move to the Veterans Memorial Building at 1455 Madison Avenue took place.
Further growth dictated another move. In January 1967, the club moved to the new RC Community Activities Building at 1400 Roosevelt Avenue, where they comfortably settled and still meet there today
The members have always enjoyed well-rounded philatelic programs, including exhibitions, lectures, film and slide shows, speakers, sales circuits, live and silent auctions, and active discussions. Let us not forget the trading, penny boxes, spot sales, quizzes, and more
The inherent interest and enterprise of philatelists, coupled with a demonstrated spirit of cooperation among members, has resulted in making the Sequoia Stamp Club one of the liveliest stamp clubs in the Bay Area. The club celebrated its 65th birthday with a huge party on September 25, 2012. Bill Moll (photo above), the honored guest for the festivity, was SSC’s last surviving charter member.
Sequoia Stamp Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at the Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, CA. The same place PENPEX Stamp Show and SSC meetings are held. The event was Free to all, 72 people who attended. Doors were open from 1:30 to 5:00 pm. The first 50 visitors who were dressed in 1947 attire, received a free gift plus 2 extra raffle tickets. There were 1947 games that all attendees could play and win raffle tickets. The Official Ceremony commenced at 3:30 pm. with zoom talks from Ed Rosen, longest serving SSC member; Scott English, APS Executive Director; and Diana Reddy, Redwood City Vice-Mayor, who presented congratulation and resolution to SSC.
Sequoia Stamp Club postcard* announcing their big celebration on Sept. 17, 2022.
* If you would like to purchase 2 different, mint, Large Letter SSC Celebration postcards, please mail $2 and a SASE to SSC postcards, P.O. Box 235, San Carlos, CA 94070. The postcard size is 5.5″ x 3.5″.