HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-10-27-LBC-min.pdf Lexington Bicentennial Committee
Minutes October 27 1971
The Bicentennial Committee met in the Legion Room of Vary Memorial Hall
at 7 30 P M. After a photograph was taken by Anne Scigliano of the LEXINGTON
MINUTE MAN, the Committee was called to order William Collins of the V F W
was welcomed and summarized his organization's activities thus far in regard
to the 1975 celebration. The V F W is anxious to be included, but they
have not formulated any definite ideas for their group as yet Mr Collins
will appoint a permanent representative from the V F W as a liaison with
the 1975 Celebrations Committee
The Chairman then displayed the report of the 1875 Centennial Committee
loaned to us by Neil Cronin. It will be available to the members of our
committee
Jim Nichols of the Lexington Minutemen and Massachusetts Director of the
Centennial Legion was next welcomed by the Committee He reported that the
Centennial Legion had granted the request of the Lexington Minutemen to have
the annual convention of the Centennial Legion in Lexington in 1975 Some
3,500 men are members of this organization. The date of the celebration of
the 19th of April is at the moment unresolved The 19th of April in 1975
falls on Saturday but law states that it be celebrated on the following Mon-
day Linc Cole says there is a chance that tl celebrat on in 1975 may
be held on Saturday Also there is some pressure to have April 19th be
declared a National Holiday for the year 1975 The Centennial Legion would
of course like to be -here for the 19th Capt James Edgar and Lt Robert
Marrigan of the Lexington Minutemen joined the Committee at this time Capt
Edgar stated that there were several ideas being considered
1 Contact all Lexingtons in U S
2 Invite the States which were not a part of the union
in 1925 to bring a stone to add to the base of the statue
3 Recreate the Battle of Lexington - perhaps each year through
1975
Interaction and cooperation between Lexington and Concord, also the National
Historical Park were discussed Other events such as a Ball were considered
Capt Edgar says there was a film of the recreation of the Battle of Lexington
by newscaster Bryan Dow of Hartford Conn. which was shown over the Hartford
network last year He will attempt to have that film for a viewing by our
committee and other interested groups at a future date It was noted that
Temple Scanlon is the Bicentennial chairman for the Lexington Minutemen.
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After the Minutemen representatives had left the Committee heard
Dick Michelson report that the Chamber of Commerce was anxious to sponsor
a Bicentennial coin He reported no headway in having the government mint
such a coin. The Chamber is persuing this matter
King Howard reported that the Town Manager had ok'd the change of the
name of our Committee from the Lexington 1975 Celebrations Committee to the
Lexington Bicentennial Committee The Town Meeting can change the title
of Committee to Commission if we so choose Mr Howard feels that we will
be having several meetings with the Selectmen in the near future in which
the warrant articles applicable to our Committee will be studied
Mr O'Connell has assured us that a $750 operating budget is not out
of line Breakdown of the expenses is as follows
Travel $200 Plates and dies $75
Stationery $100 Duplicating $50
Postage $75 Clerical Pool $50
Printing $200
Dick Michelson moved that the $750 be approved ; it was seconded by Ray
Barnes and the motion passed The financial report will be submitted to
the Town Manager by Fred James
Ray Barnes reported that lie feels Vitale Terletsky of 6 Candlewick Close
would be an excellent choice for the design of the letterhead for the permanent
stationery of this Committee
King Howard reported that Mrs John W White is on the Lincoln Bicen-
tennial Study Committee and would be a good contact for information as regards
activities in surrounding towns
Warren Butters reported problems with Buckman Tavern as well as a
number £ other problems the Hitt iral Cociety is wrestling with moving
Hancock-Clark House, where to have a museum; the ever growing parking problem;
publication of a book on the Bicentennial markers and maps for pedestrians
Doris Pullen feels we should definitely provide a walking and/or bicycle
trail with permanent markers Dick informed the Committee that the Chamber
of Commerce will be willing to take on the map as a project Doris also
suggested a liaison person from Cary Library to work with our Committee The
Lexington Room at Cary Library could house information for interested groups
in town. Another suggestion was that there be a contest held in the schools
to design a symbol to be used by the Bicentennial Committee Dick Barnes is
the coordinator for Public Schools and the Historical Society and could
possibly be the man to coordinate the work of our Committee and the schools
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King asked Doris to join him in a meeting with Mr Barnes and also hoped
that Mr Butters could attend such a meeting.
Doris also described the "Project '75" which has recently been formed
It is an intellectual effort - looking back to what was on men's minds in
1775 and comparing present thinking and objectives What message do we
have from those in the past? - What message for our future' What are
our national objectives, how do they compare with those of 1775? These
questions are obviously pertinent and exciting
Before adjourning, the Chairman scheduled meetings with the following
January 12, 1972 - Hubert Olsen, General Supervisor of the Boston
National Parks
Robert Perkins, Manager of the National
Historical Park
Garden Clubs
D A R.
January 26, 1972 - Youth Organizations
February 9, 1972 Churches of the Town
The meeting was adjourned at 10 15 P M.
Respectfully ssubmitted,
4z s y , I
Becky Nussdorfer, Secretary