About the Tin Box
“A singular set of people, Watson.” (WIST)
HISTORY
In November of 1989, co-founders Steve Clarkson and Paul Churchill, along with Rod McCaslin and Kem White, established the organization that would become Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, MD. In February of 1990, the group held its inaugural meeting as "The Agency of Sherlock Holmes," but by May they had re-christened themselves and were included in Peter Blau's database of Sherlockian societies under the name we know today. In 1996, WTB was granted scion society status by the Baker Street Irregulars. While the original monthly dinner meeting (currently held on the third Monday of the month) remains its core activity, the group has embraced an ever-larger mission, including publishing its own literary magazine, sponsoring community education projects, and convening regularly with other Sherlockian groups.
ORGANIZATION
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Tin Box members include educators, students, published authors, health care professionals, tradespeople, business people, government employees, retirees, and (we hope) you! Here is our membership policy:
Attend one meeting, and we will consider that an honest mistake. Attend two meetings, and we'll figure it was on purpose: you are now a member of Watson's Tin Box!
DUES?
There are no membership dues. When we meet in person, each attendee pays a fixed amount ($25 as of Feb. 2023) for dinner at the restaurant where the meeting is held.
HISTORY
In November of 1989, co-founders Steve Clarkson and Paul Churchill, along with Rod McCaslin and Kem White, established the organization that would become Watson’s Tin Box of Ellicott City, MD. In February of 1990, the group held its inaugural meeting as "The Agency of Sherlock Holmes," but by May they had re-christened themselves and were included in Peter Blau's database of Sherlockian societies under the name we know today. In 1996, WTB was granted scion society status by the Baker Street Irregulars. While the original monthly dinner meeting (currently held on the third Monday of the month) remains its core activity, the group has embraced an ever-larger mission, including publishing its own literary magazine, sponsoring community education projects, and convening regularly with other Sherlockian groups.
ORGANIZATION
- Watson's Tin Box is helmed by a Gasogene, who plans and presides at monthly meetings. The Gasogene serves for one year, then chooses and passes the gavel to a successor in January (thereupon attaining the status of "Past Gas"). Gasogenes generally serve only once. The current co-Gasogenes (XXXIII), are Greg Ruby, Jacquelynn Morris, and Karen Wilson.
- The Tantalus is the group's quiz-master, providing at each Tin Box meeting a set of questions or a puzzle relating to the evening's story. No one is pressured to take the quiz, but high scorers do receive prizes. The official term of office for a Tantalus is five years (long enough to cycle through all the stories at one per month), though actual tenures have varied. Karen Wilson currently serves as interim Tantalus.
- The Torquemada challenges us every January with "The Mycroft," a killer test of Sherlockian knowledge and memory of minutiae. The Mycroft, brain-child of Tin Box co-founder Steve Clarkson, covers all 60 stories, and the high scorer enjoys bragging rights for a year. Kimberly Ord and Karen Wilson are the current co-Torquemadae (III).
- Earlier in its history, the group designated a Commissionaire, whose job was to handle the bill at the restaurant. For many years, Andy Solberg served as de facto Commissionaire. The position is currently vacant.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Tin Box members include educators, students, published authors, health care professionals, tradespeople, business people, government employees, retirees, and (we hope) you! Here is our membership policy:
Attend one meeting, and we will consider that an honest mistake. Attend two meetings, and we'll figure it was on purpose: you are now a member of Watson's Tin Box!
DUES?
There are no membership dues. When we meet in person, each attendee pays a fixed amount ($25 as of Feb. 2023) for dinner at the restaurant where the meeting is held.
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PAST GASOGENES
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TANTALI
TORQUEMADAE
COMMISSIONAIRES
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