SUMMARY
- Washington’s gavel, dating to 1793, will sit on the House rostrum during the State of the Union.
- The gavel has never before been featured during the president’s speech.
- The presentation highlights the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson will display the gavel used by George Washington during the laying of the US Capitol cornerstone as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address Tuesday night, the US Capitol Historical Society said.
The display marks the first time the artifact will appear during the president’s annual address to Congress, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.
The gavel will be visible throughout the joint session of Congress, linking a contemporary political event with early American history.
Washington used the gavel in a Masonic ceremony when laying the Capitol cornerstone, accompanied by symbolic rituals involving corn, wine, and oil.
The gavel has been preserved by Potomac Lodge No. 5 in Washington, DC, for more than two centuries.
Roswell Encina, president of the US Capitol Historical Society, said the display “connects Americans with the origins of their government.”
Samuel Kerber, history professor at George Mason University, noted that showcasing artifacts during major anniversaries increases public engagement with history.
Historians say integrating founding-era artifacts into high profile events may enhance civic education and historical awareness.
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