History of Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Journey back in time to Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

• About Southbridge, Massachusetts
  Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
  The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing thei...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• John Winthrop, Jr. purchased a tract of land around 1638 in what was to become Southbridge. It was purchased for mining ore for graphic deposits.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
• 1730 - Southbridge is settled
  
  Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates
  
  
• In 1732 (Southbridge), Moses Marcy built a saw mill and a few years later, a grist mill.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, , "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
• By 1775, small businesses like coopering and carpentry were started in Southbridge. The town reached a population of about 400 inhabitants and a school and a meeting house were erected.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
• By 1814, some textile mills were built in the Globe section of Southbridge, and downstream, in an area known as Centre Village, the business district began to establish itself.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
• February 15, 1816, Southbridge was officially recognized as a town. Population 830.
  The first town meeting was held several weeks later, March 6, 1816, which included the election of five selectmen. They included Capt. Gershom Plimpto...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Harrington Cutlery Company
  1818 Cutlers
  Manufacturers "Dexter" Knives and Blades
  established June 18, 1818 by Henry Harrington
  Postcard
  
• 1826 - William Beecher comes to Southbridge
  In 1826 William Beecher, a jeweler and watchmaker, settles in Southbridge, a small town on the Massachusetts / Connecticut border. He is part of a rel...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1830 - Water Snakes
  Mr. Ephraim Wheelock, of Southbridge, Mass. while mowing, came in contact with a large water snake, measuring 3 feet 9 inches. After killing it, he c...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1833 - Manufacturing of Spectacles Begins
  Within seven years of his arrival in Southbridge, William Beecher opens a shop above his jewelry store to manufacture spectacles. Business prospers. B...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Hamilton Woolen Mills, postmarked 1910
  
  "Located in the Globe Village section of Southbridge, the company incorporated in 1831, with a capital of $200,000, The company started a newsletter, called "The Hamiltonian", the first issue was published... Read MORE...
  
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• 1845 - SOUTHBRIDGE. [Pop. 2,031.Inc. 1816.]
  Southbridge was composed of portions of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley.
  
  The Quinebaug passes across the township, and affords abundance o...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1845 - Fires in the "Columbian" factory, today "Lensdale," and the "African" factory, today "Sandersdale," resulted in a number of families moving to Webster, Milbury, and Worcester.
  
  History of the Franco-Americans of Southbridge, by Felix Gatineau, translated by Elizabeth Blood
  
  
• 1848 - Southbridge
  SOUTHBRIDGE was originally a part of Sturbridge, Chariton, and Dudley. It was incorporated as a town in 1814. The first church was organized here in 1...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1850 - A fire in the "Hamilton" factory caused several families to move elsewhere.
  
  History of the Franco-Americans of Southbridge, by Felix Gatineau, translated by Elizabeth Blood
  
  
• 1850 - By 1850, there were about thirty Canadian families in Southbridge. Most of them lived in the "Globe Village."
  
  "Histoire des Franco-Américains de Southbridge, Massachusetts" by Félix Gatineau, Framingham, MA: Lakeview Press, 1919
  
  
• French Canadian Emigration to the United States 1840-1930
  Source:
  Marianopolis College
  faculty.marianopolis.edu/ c.belanger/ quebechistory/ readings/ leaving.htm
  
  
  "...the emigration of French Canadians ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 - Southbridge
  Southbridge, a post-village in Worcester co., Massachusetts, near Quinnebaug river, 60 miles S. W. from Boston, contains 2 or 3 churches, and 1 bank. ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1856
  "In 1856, because of the presidential election in which Buchanan was elected President of the United States, there was a great financial reaction, and...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1862 - Robert Cole Takes Over
  Southbridge, Massachusetts - William Beecher, prominent spectacle maker, retires in 1862 and Robert Cole takes over the firm... George Wells, a school...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1863 - Fire
  A fire in Southbridge, Mass., on Saturday morning, destroyed the Baptist church, the Tammany Hall Building, the Amidon brick block, and Dr. Hartwell's...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Hotel Columbia, postmarked 1910
  Built in 1867, by Leonard Cutler. Purchased by Thomas F. Murphy in 1904.
  "This hotel has forty rooms and a restaurant for its guests, and is a leading hostelry of Southbridge." www.digitalcommonwealth.org
  
  Postcard
  
• 1869 - American Optical is Formed
  Southbridge, Massachusetts - The merging of two competing spectacle making companies results in the formation of the American Optical Company.
  (massmoments.org)
  
  
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  Main American Optical Co. Factory, Southbridge, Mass.
  
  "The name 'American Optical Co.' dates back to a meeting on Feb. 26, 1869, of members of two neighboring Southbridge firms, Robert H. Cole & Co. and H.C. Ammidown & Co. They met to combine... Read MORE...
  
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• Blacksmith Shop in Westville
  "The Blacksmith shop, located between the bridge and the river bend, was operated by Mr. Charles Anger, maternal grandfather of the large Laliberte fa...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Charles Anger's blacksmith shop in the Westville section of Southbridge
  Thanks to Paul Laliberte
  
• 1879 - George Wells accumulates AO stock
  George Wells has accumulates a majority share in the stock of the American Optical Company. Wells builds the A.O. into the largest optical company in ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  C. C. C.
  Connecticut Clothing Co.
  Bates & Lindsey
  Putnam, Conn.
  Southbridge, Mass.
  Advertisement
  
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  1882 ad
  J. & W. Booth
  Furniture & Coffin Warerooms
  Paints of all kinds
  paper Hangings, Curtain Fixtures, Frames, &c.
  Alden's Block, Globe Village
  
  1882 Massachusetts City Directory - Webster and Southbridge (MA)
  Advertisement
  
•  1883 - Bound to Get Away
  BOSTON, June 22. - J. P. Olds was arrested at Southbridge to-day on a charge of stealing large quantities of gold from the American Optical Company. O...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1884 - FIRE RECORD. AT SOUTHBRIDGE.
  Worcester, August 9. - The Columbian mill at Southbridge, with a boarding house and tenement, burned this morning. The mill had 9,000 spindles and emp...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Town Hall & High School, Elm Street, postmarked 1910, built in 1888
  Postcard
  
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  The Journal, Southbridge, MA, Thurs. June 7, 1888
  
•  1889 - Early to Bed
  Southbridge goes to bed early as a rule. A stranger in town always notices how quiet the streets are after 9 p.m. Ten o'clock usually finds scarcely a...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1889 - Largest Spectacle Factory in the World
  Southbridge, Mass., has the largest spectacle factory in the world. More than 3/ 4 of the gold spectacles and eyeglasses made in this country are made ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• Southbridge, Massachusetts 1890
  Southbridge is a prosperous and important manufacturing town lying in the southwesterly part of Worcester County, 27 miles from the city of Worcester,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Westville section of Southbridge
  
  "...The principal part of the population and of the property is the Village of Westville, situated in a bend of the Quinnebaug River, near the bridge, marked A., on the subjoined plan. The distance from this... Read MORE...
  
  Thanks to Paul Laliberte
  
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  Elm Street
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  Main Street
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  View of South Main Street
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  Town Hall (built in 1888) and Congregational Church
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  Bank Building, Main Street, postmarked 1906, razed January 3, 1975
  
  "Constructed of brick with brownstone trimmings, located on Main Street, the Southbridge Savings and the Southbridge National Banks are adjacent to the YMCA building (razed... Read MORE...
  
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•  1894 - DEADLY RAILROAD CROSSING. TWO KILLED OUTRIGHT AND MANY ARE INJURED.
  WORCESTER HAS ANOTHER ARGUMENT AGAINST THE GRADE CROSSING.
  
  Worcester, Mass., Nov. 30. - The most horrible accident which ever occurred in Southbrid...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1894 - Gedeon Gregoire establishes a shoe repairing shop in Southbridge
  Gedeon Gregoire... came to Southbridge and started a shoe repair shop. In 1923, business had grown. His sons Joseph & Roland joined the frim and the p...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1895 - Southbridge
  Southbridge, a post-village in Southbridge township, Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield. It is on a branch...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Hamilton Street
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•  1899 - $2,000,000 for Southbridge People?
  SOUTHBRIDGE, MASS., March 17. - It is believed here that the family of Mrs Lucier, mother of Michael Lucier, of Southbridge, has fallen heir to $2,000...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Fire Department Headquarters, Elm Street, built in 1899, postmarked 1905
  
  "The building for the Centre companies is in process of erection on Elm street and will cost upwards of $25,000, including land. The uniformed members of the department and... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• By 1900, Southbridge had a population of 10,000, with an estimated 6,000 of French-Canadian ancestry.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
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  Marcy Street School
  (built around 1898, demolished July 1962)
  
  "Marcy Street Grammar School, located in the heart of the Centre Village. The front entrance of the Victorian brick facade is shown. The building has a Queen Anne style turret,... Read MORE...
  
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  Chapin Street
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  Elm Street
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  July 4th Celebration on Main Street (around 1900)
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  Main Street Looking South
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  Union Church, Hamilton Street
  
  "The Evangelical Free "Union" Church was organized in 1854. The agent, executives of the Hamilton Woolen Company and other Globe Village businessmen initiated the construction project. As a consequence, it was often... Read MORE...
  
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  Main Street, looking W. Southbridge, Mass.
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  Residence of Channing M. Wells. This home was originally built by Moses Plimpton. Channing Wells was one of the owners of the American Optical Company.
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•  1904 - Town Stricken With Diphtheria
  Southbridge, Mass., Oct. 24. - An epidemic of diphtheria prevails in Southbridge to an extent that alarms the members of the board of health, who will...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1906
  Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield, and ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  D. M. Rosenthal store, 1906
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  Southbridge, Mass., Post Office Square, looking West - 1907
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  American Optical Co. Works, Southbridge, Mass. - 1909
  A portion of the American Optical Company Plant, Lensdale, Southbridge, Mass.
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•  1910 - BANK TREASURER NOT FOUND.; Shortage in Southbridge Savings Bank Believed to be About $100,000.
  CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Jan. 22. - John A Hall, the Treasurer of the Southbridge Sayings Bank, which was closed yesterday by an injunction after the discover...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  St. Mary's Church
  Postcard
  
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  Residence of Joel Cheney Wells
  
  On the north side of Main Street were the side-by-side residences of George Washington Wells, founder of American Optical; and his son Joel Cheney (J.C.) Wells. This house no longer exists. It has been replaced by... Read MORE...
  
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  Main Street View - Baptist Church
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  Birds Eye View
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  Central Mills Dam
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  Main Street, 1910
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  View from Page Hill (Paige Hill)
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  Southbridge from Page Hill (Paige Hill)
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  Railroad Station
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  Railroad Station, built 1910
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  American Optical Co. - 1910
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• 1911 - Southbridge
  "SOUTHBRIDGE, a township of Worcester county, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on the Quinabaug river (which here falls 165 ft.), about 20 m. S.S.W. of Worceste...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Eglise Notre Dame
  (Notre Dame Church) (1912)
  Postcard
  
•  1913 - REVIVE GRAND TRUNK WORK. Construction of Southern New England Line to be Resumed.
  Special to the New York Times.
  
  SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 22 - Work is to be resumed immediately on the Southern New England Railway, the Grand Trun...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Brochu Academy
  Postcard
  
• 1916 - Southbridge
  "Southbridge, a banking post-village in Southbridge township (town), Worcester co., Mass., on the Quinebaug River, about 32 miles E. of Springfield, a...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1918 - Help Wanted
  Help Wanted - Help Wanted in Southbridge, Mass., to work in Hamilton Woolen Co., established nearly 100 years, employing 2,000 hands. Easy work, stea...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  High School
  Postcard
  
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  Home of J. E. Paige
  39 Elm Street
  At one time this house was owned by United States Representative Calvin De Witt Paige, (1848-1930).
  Postcard
  
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  Southbridge National Bank
  
  "Southbridge National Bank built in 1930, by F. X. Laliberte & Co., of Southbridge. Stone plaque over door inscribed 1929. Located on the south side of Main Street between Elm and Everett streets. Four majestic columns... Read MORE...
  
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  The Harrington Memorial Hospital
  
  "Built during the Depression, the Harrington Memorial Hospital was opened on Labor Day, September 7, 1931. The first facility had 34 adult beds and 6 children's cribs. The brick structure was constructed by local... Read MORE...
  
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•  1934 - SOUTHBRIDGE DIRECTORS VOTE TO LIQUIDATE MILL
  MEANS THAT 1,000 WOOLEN WORKERS MUST FIND JOBS ELSEWHERE
  
  Boston, Dec. 19 - (AP) - The board of directors of the Hamilton Woolen Co. of Southbridge ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  High and Grammar Schools
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  Post Office
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•  1938 - New Mask Invented - His Face Is Dirty
  His Face Is Dirty - Seeking to combat silicosis, lung malady suffered by those who work in dust, researchers for the American Optical Company of South...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1939 - When World War II broke out, Southbridge had a population of 16,801.
  
  Street Corners of Southbridge, "The Way We Were" by Joe Capillo, 1996
  
  
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  Southbridge Tool Company, Charlton Street, Southbridge, MA - 1941 - Edgar Tremblay, Archie Gagnon, Joseph Seremet
  photos belonging to Jeannette Lippe Tremblay
  
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  A Portion of the American Optical Company Plant, Lensdale, Southbridge, Mass.
  Postcard
  
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  American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass.
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•  1945 - Maker of Bomb Very Depressed
  Maker of Bomb Very Depressed - Southbridge, Mass. August 17 (UP) - A scientist who helped develop the atomic bomb said today, with permission of the W...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1945 - Radio Phone for Pocket Use to Be On Market Soon
  "Radio Phone for Pocket Use to Be On Market Soon -- Southbridge, Mass., August 23 (UP) - A pocket-size radio telephone for civilian use, which will co...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1946 - Women See Colors Better
  Women See Colors Better - Southbridge, Mass (UP) - The American Optical Co., studying the incidence of color blindness, discovered that 90 percent of ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Southbridge Tool Company, Curtis Street, Southbridge, MA - 1949 (approx. 5,000 sq ft of space)
  photos belonging to Jeannette Lippe Tremblay
  
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  Ad for Southbridge Tool Company
  1949 Manning's Southbridge Directory
  
•  1951 - New Goggles
  American Optical Co. of Southbridge, Mass. has a new airtight industrial goggle for use in working with gas fumes or smoke. The headband of the goggle...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1951 - New Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red Cross
  New Machine Take Blood Directly from Veins for Red Cross - Southbridge, Mass. - (UP) - A new miracle machine that takes blood directly from your veins...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Main Street, 1951
  Postcard
  
• 1955 - WESO On the Air
  March 20 - Radio Station WESO goes on the air for a first time. Announcers and newscasters are Bob Binet, John Bunnewith, Joe Capillo, Esther Costa, B...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1958 - Ames Worsted Textile Company
  Milton and Irving Gilman open their first store in the Ames Worsted Textile Co. mill in Southbridge. This is the start of Ames Department Stores, whic...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1961 - Keeping Out Noise
  Southbridge, Mass. (UPI) - A new plastic, anti-noise ear plug for military and commercial aviation purposes has been developed by American Optical Co....Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  American Optical Company
  Postcard
  
•  1975 - Ames Has Grand Opening At New Amenia Store
  From a humble beginning in an old factory building in 1958 to a modern new store in Amenia to serve the residents of the Harlem Valley area, Ames Disc...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Gregoire's
  Hamilton Street, Southbridge
  Southbridge News, Bicentennial Edition, Southbridge, Massachusetts, 1976
  
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  United Lens Company
  Worcester Street, Southbridge
  Southbridge News, Bicentennial Edition, Southbridge, Massachusetts, 1976
  
•  1980 - Making Eyes
  In the days of old, someone who lost an eye wore an eye patch. That was replaced by getting a glass eye: now, American Optical of Southbridge, Mass. u...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• THE BACK ROAD (About the AO Tunnel) by Joe Capillo
  Over the years, hundreds of thousands have walked its darken underground paths across the Quinebaug River.
  
  The AO service tunnel was a Wells family...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 2002 - Out of Business
  Ames Department stores, which began in Southbridge in 1958, goes out of business
  
  
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  Bicentennial celebration, May 14, 2016