HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-10-23 ad Hoc - Bicentennial Commission Minutes BiCantannial Commission - Minutes 23 October 1973
The Reading Bicentennial Commission met at the Public Library on 23
October 1973. Eight members were present,
• Copies of the minutes of the previous meeting were distributed, and
approved with one addition (the complete title of the Victor Pitkin volume).
The chairman read a letter reeeived from Mrs, Mary Herbert explaining
that she was no longer community regional representative from the state commission.
Notice was read of a bicentennial planning conference to be held at Amherst on
Nov. 30 and Dec.l, which anyone might attend. The group felt that plans here were
well under way and conference attendance was unnecessary,
Tuesday, November 6 was set for the anticipated second meeting with
liaison representatives from the organizations, and other interested citizens,
to receive the feedback from these who were to sound out their groups for plans
and ideas. Dr. Blanchard agreed to send out the letters needed,
Mrs. Miller reported on details of the Town Clerk's project of filming
town records. A portion is being done annually, and a schedule is available,
Graphic Microfilm is retaining an "insurance" duplicate, and in addition to the
clerk's copy a copy will be made for the Library.
Mrs, Miller also said she had been in touch with Conservation and
Recreation commissions. The major project there is the development of Glen
Meadow, and it has been suggested that it might be done all at once as a
Bicentennial Park, rather than piecemeal as hitherto contemplated. Mrs.
Calabar again brought up the subject of bike trails as a most needed dev-
elopment.
Mrs. Bishop reported progress on editorial plans for the new edition
of Reading's Colonial Rooftrees, and Mrs. Celehar described her conference with
Bruce Moranp of the Chronicle on publication costs and arrangements. The Chronicle
has offered to take new contemporary photographs of the houses if desired.
The report of the contractor for the Parker Tavern repairs was read and
commented upon by Mrs. Barclay, and Mr, Proctor, The overall figure is $123203,
This does not include Any painting, just carpentry. It is felt that this could
well be a Town project financed by diLect town appropriation. Mr. Proctor
sugpested that it would be most desirable for the appropriation to cover the
whole of the basic repairs, leaving the $5600 vaised by the Society for future
mainte nance.
This would mean a thorough selling job to convince town meeting
in advance.
The brochure, or Heritage Trail map, costs were also investigated by
Mrs. Calabar. She reported a rough cost of about $50 for 5000 flyers, 6x9, with
map and copy, and that all we should have to pay for would be the paper used
if the Chronicle was permitted to run it the week before issue. Cortent of the
brochure was discussed - date coverage, sites, structures. It was suppested
that lists of possible places for inclusion be compiled, and the time span
limited from the founding to 1800, Mr, McHugh suggested that young people could
do the research, and later become guides, The trail idea could later be expanded
to cover points of interest in the 19th and 20th centuries,
2/ o f
It was emphasized that hopefu* coordination of events, spreading them
throughout the bicentennial years will alleviate some of the crowding, but that it
still looms as inevitable.
• various datep around which events could be focused were noted, and suggestions
of homecomings, band concert$, all-town barbecue, participation of the children, how to
get Reading people really aware of the opportunities of the anniversary, what makes
Reading unique, or why are we-,typical town, how to get history into the neighborhoods,
how to enlist the designers and artis$s to create something special, and perhaps saleable
to raise funds for other activities, development of a resource center, use the Depot,
promote a ride on a train (strange as it may seem to many of usk many children have
never done so), reactivitb the militia company, a guide corps, all these any more
were among the subjects brought up.
Following this lively discussion it was determined that the representatives
should go back and talk with their croups, pet their reactions to the various ideas,
find out what part each would like to play in the whole, and be ready for another group
meeting in a couple of months, so that definite plans can be drawn up and readied for the
approach to town meeting. The Commission needs to go into town meeting nest March with
definite proiects planned, and definite commmittments already made by the town's organized
groups and the backing of the citizens in general to support a worhhwhile program to
recognize the 200th anniversary of the independence of this nation, and lead to a bright
new future.
k9Au.Y.n
Eleanor C. Bishop, secretary
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