HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-15-LEX250-min Semiquincentennial Commission (Lexington 250 )
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Meeting Minute s
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex
250) convened via Zoom on February 15, 2023, at 4:00, as allowed by legislation (S. 2475)
extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Mee ting Law.
Present: Steve Conners (Reenactment Community), Barry Cunha (Local Business
Representative), Bebe Fallick ( Tourism Committee Representative),
Cerise Jalelian (Town Celebrations Committee Representative),Mona Roy (Community
Representative), Julie O’Leary (Civic Representative)
Welcome by Mona Roy, Vice-Chairperson 4:02 pm
Guest: Patrice Tedesco, Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area 4:05 pm
Ms. Tedesco, Executive Director of Freedom's Way, introduced this resource. It is a
non-profit organization working with the National Park Service and numerous
communities in northern MA and southern NH. They have been collecting photos
and stories, particularly revolutionary-era stories, from individuals and member
groups, which they will integrate into a virtual museum. They are compiling an Ebook
for distribution in April. They did a survey and identified 258 historic monuments in
their geographic area and are producing a photo and text for every one. They have
hired an historian and have a graphic designer on site. They have funding and can
offer modest grants for someone who has a story to tell and needs help to develop it
for their town. They are planning a Town Hall with all 45 member towns in the future
to focus on this.
They have developed an app for android and iphone where the user can indicate
"I want to see these specific monuments" and the app shows how to see them.
Anyone can post any event in multiple places on their website.
They are developing a podcast where they will tell the story of a particular
monument, then ask one or more questions for the visitor to bring to the site, to
ponder during the actual site visit.
During the month of May, they will feature "Hidden Treasures" - inviting all
member communities to advertise and market their programs on a combined
website.
The apparent overlap and need to integrate information from the variety of
interested entities was discussed, and agreement was stated. Ms. Tedesco
indicated willing participation and communication on the part of Freedom’s Way.
Guests: Daughters of the American Revolution (State & Lexington)
MDAR State 250 Chair Pat Karakashian
MDAR State Historian Charlene Goddard Lyle
MDAR State Regent Carolyn Nutt
America 250 State DAR Chair Caroline Bigelow
Lexington DAR Regent Peggy Borucki
Those present expressed a deep wish to partner with Lexington. Previous events with Lexington
had been quite successful with participants remarking how “finally they were standing on the
land of Lexington”. There are 49 chapters statewide and around 2500 members. The 250th is
one of their milestone commemorative events.
They stated the desire to revitalize, to honor, to remember, to celebrate. They would like to
install bronze markers for the 250, and move the current marker and plant a new tree with it to an
area around Buckman Tavern. They will bear the cost. Lexington was the first in the nation to
have a Pomeroy Foundation accepted marker. Additionally, they hope to bring to the celebration
the descendants of people who fought on the Green in 1775, and have them meet with the
particular Minute Man who carries forth the name of their ancestor. Communication will
continue.
Upon motion, moved, seconded and roll call vote, the Minutes of December 7, 2022, were
approved.
Upon motion, moved, seconded and roll call vote, the Minutes of February 1, 2023, were
approved.
• Updates/Discussion:
Review Patriots Day Stakeholders Meeting Discussion. 4:50 pm
Getting ready for this year only at this time
Need to reach out with dates for reenactment & parades & events
and will do what is needed in the future
Suggestion Boxes Update
Mr. Cunha stated that installation of boxes at Historical Society’s houses is
acceptable
Video & Video Screen @ Visitor’s Center Update
Mr. Connors will check on photo rights
• It was recognized that with the departure of Mr. Cunha at 5 pm, there would no longer be
a quorum. A motion to adjourn the meeting was duly made, seconded, and approved by
roll call vote at 4:59 pm
• Next Meeting Date: Hybrid, March 1, 4:30 pm start
• Upcoming Meetings: March 1, 2023, & March 15, 2023
Respectfully submitted,
Bebe Fallick