HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-01-22 ad Hoc - Bicentennial Commission Minutes Reading Bicentennial Commission January, 22,1975
All members of the Commission were present, also Captain Gray of the Minute Man
and Robert Parsons, building committee chairman for the Parker Tavern project.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as distributed.
Mrs. Miller reported that Linda Hamel is now writing for the Chronicle, and Mr.
Moreno is assigning her to do a series of features on Commission plans and projects over
the next two years, the first feature to be the Oral History program. In addition there
will be a regular calendar box pivinp Bicentennial dates and activities.
Roland Blanchard and Jane Calabar reported on the meeting they called last week
with organization representatives. Plans are shaping up but few specific dates have
been made. Old South Church plans a special service on an October Sunday afternoon.
Good Samaritan Lodge will have their cornerstone laying this Spring, and dedication of
the temple in the Fall, with special exercises. Dr. Blanchard met with representatives
of the three service clubs to plan for the May 29, 1976 events, ending with a ball,
perhaps at Camp Curtis Guild. The annual Founders Day program of the Jaycees will tie-
in with the Bicentennial in 175 and 176. The Quannapowitt Players will present a
one act play about Col. Archibald Campbell.
There was considerable discussion about a suitable program event for the official
presentation of the flag to the Town, naming it a Bicentennial Community. It was voted
Oto try for March 17, at the Joshua Eaton School, with a presentation by Dr. McCauley,
with the assistance of the Minute Men, Capt. Gray, of a typical town meeting of 1774
(the tea problem, committee of correspondence, and a local issue). Mrs. Barclay agreed
to read the Reading town meeting minutes for 1774 for Dr. McCauley. For publicity, in
addition to the Chronicle, a mock warrant in the form of a broadside or handbill is
suggested to be posted, and a Town Crier to announce the event in the Square. Possibly
John McHuph'c Credo Club might take some part in the event. The broadside might be
produced at the High School. Mrs. Ebelin, will ask.
Maurice Proctor introduced Bob Parsons who reported that the specifications for the a
Parker Tavern repairs should be ready in another week, and then the work would be ready
for contractors' bids. Six are on the list. The report of progress to the State Bicentennial
Commission will be made by March 1 as requested. Hopefully the work can be started by
March 17, and completed by the usual May 1 opening date for the house. The project
continues however, through September 1975.
Mrs. Ebeling has had the stationery printed and the letters and contracts will be
going out to the house owners. Copy for the brochure is nearly ready, but the pictures
are still a problem. The plaque for the Burnap-Stocker house was shown,and much admired.
David Skinner will be asked to install it.
Mrs. Barclay reported that the historical inventory had been presented to the
Massachusetts Historical Commission together with the application to place the Parker
Tavern on the National Register of Historic Places. Everything seemed to be in order,
at long last. The inventory contains all the pre-1800 houses, and can be added to later.
The pros and cons of a local Historical Commission were discussed, but any
recommendations were indefintely postponed.
Budget figures are needed for any requests to Town Meeting and the matter of what
happens to any proceeds generated by any of the Bicentennial activities was brought up.
If any project funded by Town appropriation has a return, then moneys are returned to
the town, if funded by an orpahization as a contribution, then returns are theirs to be
allocated as they choose.
David Biette supgested.that the series of maps being gathered for the Library
might be issued in a brochure, showing the town's development.
The gravestone project was again discussed and it was voted that a sub-
�.Fommittee be set up of those who had expressed an interest, Peg Jones, Thelma
Athearn, Betty Lousnis and Ann Blaisdell, said committee to investigate the
possibilities and make a report.
The next meetin, will be February 5th. Adjourned at 10:40 pm.
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Eleanor C. Bishop, secretary