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Steering committee previews July 4, 2026 semi‑quincentennial events; council approves humanities grant application
Summary
The semi‑quincentennial steering committee outlined July 4, 2026 plans including time‑capsule events, a graphic‑history project and a town website; council authorized a $4,999 Connecticut Humanities quick‑grant application to support the graphic history work.
The Town of Cheshire's semi‑quincentennial steering committee updated the council on community outreach and programming planned for the town's American 250 celebration on July 4, 2026.
Committee members — including Ron Gagliardi and town historian Diane Calabrio — described recent outreach (Balloonsocket Factory tour, community letter distribution) and the committee's plan to stage events at Bartlett/Bartland Park. Ray Bennett said the committee will read a 1976 time capsule on the morning of July 4 and will create additional time capsules to be opened at future anniversaries.
Diane Calabrio described a graphic history pilot run at the public library and outlined a proposed graphic‑history project that would pair workshops and classes at Arts Place and the Cheshire Public Library to develop visual histories of town stories. The project aims to engage residents of all ages and create a public display as part of the 2026 celebration.
Council then approved a resolution authorizing the town to apply for a Connecticut Humanities quick grant not to exceed $4,999 to hire a graphic artist and support the proposed workshops. Town staff were authorized to execute necessary documents for the grant submission.
Committee members said they would continue outreach to civic groups and the historical society and will link their materials to a town page and QR code to centralize event information. Councilors thanked the committee and encouraged continued coordination with town staff and partner organizations.
