HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-16 ad Hoc - Bicentennial Commission Minutes Aiinutes of the 3deetingof 16 Sept . 1976.
Ins Readinl� Bicentennial Commission met in the children' s room of
the Reading Public Library on 16 September at 8 Pm. Present were : Mrs.
[•illler, c'nairman, yrE. Bishop, secretary, and members Barclay, liIanchard,
�elehar, Farquhar, Iic Cauley and Proctor. Diana Palaima was absent .
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as distributed. In
answer to a question by the secretary the chairman explained that the 18.4
cent per copy cost for the brochure represented the locally funded costs.
Bicentennial grant funds are not included since sales charges may not be
made against them.
The brochure is ,just about ready for distribution at 25 cents a copy
and will be available at the Town clerk's office, the Library, Parker
Tavern, and the Reading Haven bookstore. Other possible distributors
suggested were : Winslow 's, Charles, the Chronicle and Hallmark.
,,"rs. Ziller reported 010 paid to date and many contributions raoeived
for the pictorial records. A showing next winter of prints and slides of
the various uicentennial events is a happy suggestion.
Reports on outstanding projects indicate that the College Club
third grade history is expected to be ready for the Commission in late
October. 'I'he League of Women Voters ' Story of Readiruz Government is nearly
complete. Keene Hoyle Is preparing the overview portion. Rooftrees is
progressing.
.,:re. Barclay suggested two names for Oral History Interviews : Gladys
Emery Itho knew Dr. Ethel Grant well, and Elsie I:ay (Lowande ) Collins for
C.ieading ' s circus story.
I Funds are not entirely committed and the Junior Womens Club Is pro-
36' vidins an additional 050a for projects. 3urgestions for additional projects
Include markers for all the other old 'houses built before 1800, and a
microfilming project of local records and manuscripts. °:rs. Bishop was
asked to confer with Gould Rug^'lss about a reproduction of the Emily
Ruggles diaries, a valuable source of information on life in 19th century
lie a,Ijig. A list of desirable fllmin3 Items will be prppa red, on a priority
basis. Dr. McCauley suggested an international exchange with Reading, Eng.
The BPW, Roger Louanis, Is desirous of having an attractive information sign
on a landscaped lower common triabgle. This would cost less than 12000 1£
the department 'built It . This might be considered providing they would also
maintain it .
The future of the Com-fission is under consideration. Although authorized
until 1923 the members feel its major work will be completed by Spring.
Chairman .Aller has committments which will not permit her to continue after
that t1e . Should the cor.r,.ilssion take on additional short range projects?
Any long-range ones? 3efuse any additio^al ones? S'nould recommendation be
ejade at the next annual town meeting that the Town Meeting aut'norize an
historical 'ommiaslon, amd eoould t -1s one continue anoter year to provide
t'or the transition period, sb a . new Commission could get going, and then
turn over any remaining funds to them?
The warrant cloEI ng will be in I'ebruary or late January. The future
#of this Cou^ ission will be discussed at the next meeting on October 19th,
same tire , sa-..e place.
Eleanor C. Bishop, secretary