Letter: Barrington 300 events kick off on Jan. 29

Posted 1/20/17

To the editor:

Barrington 300 has been hard at work planning a wonderful year of celebration in 2017 for Barrington's Tri-Centennial. 

We owe thanks to professional historian Van …

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Letter: Barrington 300 events kick off on Jan. 29

Posted

To the editor:

Barrington 300 has been hard at work planning a wonderful year of celebration in 2017 for Barrington's Tri-Centennial. 

We owe thanks to professional historian Van Edwards for discovery of the official document, that created the new town of "Barrington," enacted by the Province of Massachusetts Bay on November 18,1717. And thanks to Richard Donnelly, of the Barrington Preservation Society, who secured the lithograph of Viscount John Shute Barrington, our town's namesake. And, certainly thanks to the town for reproduction of these on the 2017 Town Calendar and 2016 annual report cover, that was sent to all households in Barrington.

In Feb. 2016, Barrington 300, a citizens committee, met to propose a list of events to focus on the areas of civic, art and music, history, business and sport. Since then, the Barrington 300 Calendar of Events has been constantly updated and is listed on the town's official website. 

Events will be integrated with those organized by the town recreation and parks departments, the Bay Spring Community Center, the Barrington Community School, the Veterans Association, as well as Barrington schools and other community groups.

In Aug. 2016, Barrington 300 was confirmed as a town "Administrative Committee" by the outgoing manager Peter DeAngelis. Much work has gone into this committee's tax status and financial arrangements required for the expenses and preparation for events. Barrington 300 has met with our new town manager Jim Cunha and is most pleased to have his support.    

Work has begun on publicity and fund-raising. A Barrington 300 logo has been chosen and a design by local artist Ted Hail for a commemorative medallion has been selected. "Barrington," an ARCADIA book, part of the Legacy series, compiled by the Barrington Preservation Society with 208 images of our town, has been completed under supervision of editors Jane and Richard Donnelly. Release is planned for May of 2017 by the society.

Mark your calendars for our first event: a lecture titled "Meet Viscount John Shute, Our Town's Namesake," on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 4 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on County Road at the Barrington Congregational Church UCC.

Van Edwards will speak on the overlooked history of our founding and the early battle for religious tolerance that was going on both in Great Britain and New England in the early 18th century. 

We hope that residents will join in this celebration of 300 years of the growth of Barrington.  

In addition to historic lectures, we have planned a library exhibit, participation in the Memorial Day parade, a town-wide photo contest, a bicycle tour, a clambake, a moonlight tour of Native American sites, a Barrington business sidewalk sale, and two heritage weekends with tours of historic homes, cemeteries and churches.   There also will be a preview party at the McCulloch Center for the Arts, St. Andrew's School, a gala event at the Rhode Island Country Club, and a 300th birthday celebration at our historic Town Hall on Nov. 18.

Barrington 300 invites volunteers to share talents, your ideas and your areas of interest. We meet every third Tuesday of each month in the Senior Center Studio at 7 p.m. Participation by everyone, young and old, is welcome! 

Come join in the fun!

Bonnie Warren

Dianne Wilkin

Barrington

Ms. Warren is corresponding secretary for Barrington 300 and Ms. Wilkin is recording secretary.

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