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DAR plans June 13 'Patriot Pride' event and seeks historic marker at Bridge Street Cemetery
Summary
The local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter described a June 13 event to honor nearly 200 Revolutionary War soldiers reportedly buried at Bridge Street Cemetery and asked the commission to endorse a freestanding historic marker; organizers are coordinating with DPW and local schools.
Debbie Wendelowski, chair of the American 250 celebration committee, told the commission her group has researched Revolutionary War burials in Hampshire County and said they have identified "close to 200" Revolutionary War soldiers in Bridge Street Cemetery. "We really feel from the research that we've done that it may be one of the largest numbers of soldiers buried in the United States in a cemetery," Wendelowski said.
The June 13 program is planned as a two-hour event: the first hour would include greetings from dignitaries, a color guard and a reading of the Declaration of Independence; the second hour would be a walking tour with reenactors stationed by particular graves. Wendelowski asked the commission for an endorsement for a freestanding historic marker and said she is coordinating the event logistics with the Department of Public Works, Forbes Library and local schools for related displays and an essay contest for eighth-graders.
Commissioners responded positively to the project's educational value and the potential to increase respectful public use of the cemetery; they advised Wendelowski to return with a proposed marker location, wording and a plan for siting and installation to coordinate with DPW requirements. No formal endorsement vote was recorded at the meeting.
