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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Rose Rock
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

Rose Rock

Artifact ID1981.00802.01
Object Type Geospecimen
Gifter
Maker
Date NA
Medium Stone (barite sandstone)
Dimensions3 × 3 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (7.6 × 8.9 × 7 cm)
Physical DescriptionA rock formation made of barite sandstone resembling a rose, known as a Rose Rock, is the Oklahoma State rock.Historical NoteThe barite rose rock was made the official state rock of Oklahoma on April 8, 1968 when Oklahoma House Bill 1277 was approved and then signed by Gov. Dewey F. Bartlett. Rose rocks are mostly found in central Oklahoma. They were formed 250 million years ago during the Permian era, when Oklahoma was under a prehistoric sea. Once the waters retreated, reddish Garber sandstone remained. Most roses are half an inch to four inches in diameter, but the largest one found is closer to twenty-two inches across.
This rose was given through Elizabeth Dole, then the Director of the Office of Public Liaison, during a meeting with farming and commodity groups in Washington, DC on February 6, 1981.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
In Collection(s)