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Coventry America 250 committee declines Freedom 250 tour, OKs summer events and sign program
Summary
At its April 28 meeting, Coventry’s America 250 committee unanimously declined an invitation from the Freedom 250 Traveling Museum Tour, approved prior minutes, and advanced plans for summer events including a June 6 Tavern Crawl, a June 21 program, and a Sept. 5 George Washington breakfast.
Coventry — The Town of Coventry's America 250 committee met April 28 at the Town Hall Annex and unanimously declined an invitation from the Freedom 250 Traveling Museum Tour while advancing plans for a slate of local bicentennial events and commemoration projects.
The committee opened at 6:39 p.m.; John Holmy called the meeting to order. Members present included Mary Ann Hansen, Jim Murphy, Emily Kennedy (secretary), Anne Marie Charland, Jacob Orcutt and Torrie Phillips; Thomas Mulholland, the new assistant administrator at the Nathan Hale Homestead, also attended. Ruth O'Neil arrived later in the meeting.
The body approved the previous meeting’s minutes on a motion by Mary Ann Hansen, seconded by John Holmy. No public comments were filed under the Audience of Citizens item.
During a rundown of old business, members noted that letters from Prince William were posted to the America 250 Facebook page and that letters sent to embassies and consulates in Washington, D.C., and Boston had not received responses. The committee also recorded there was no new update on repairs to the Booth and Dimmock Library clock. Jim Murphy reported that a George Washington impersonator previously used by the historical society has raised his fee, prompting the committee to seek other options.
New business focused on event logistics and commemorations. The Colonial Money talk will be held in the community room rather than at Strong Porter. Holmy will appear before the Town Council on May 4 and will give a separate talk on 9 Men Morris at the senior center on May 6. The Tavern Crawl is scheduled for June 6, with five participating houses (including Bidwell); organizers will offer wings to attendees who return sign-off sheets. The committee also discussed children’s participation in the Coventry fireworks, planning synchronized singing with the local band and distributing flags and kazoos.
A special Coventry Hillbillies program is scheduled for June 21 with an open mic at Millbrook Place, and the Nathan Hale Cemetery Walk will be part of Walktober. GHR ordered a scholastic America 250 booklet for summer reading; the related tally sheet is themed to America 250 and will include a rubber duck prize for participants who complete it.
Jacob Orcutt presented a proposal for a historic-house sign program to commemorate the 250th: signs would list the house’s construction year and an optional owner-provided name, cost about $45 each, and homes actually built in 1776 would receive a special star marker. Parks and Recreation would co-manage ordering and finances; the committee aims to place a first order around Thanksgiving (exact date TBD).
Anne Marie Charland proposed planting a white oak in the Holy Grove at the Nathan Hale Homestead with a plaque recognizing America 250 and volunteered to lead the project. Charland also suggested a plaque or marker for the Huntington home at the corner of South Street and Cross Street, noted in the minutes as Nathan Hale’s tutor and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
On a formal motion, Jacob Orcutt moved to decline the Freedom 250 Traveling Museum Tour — described in the minutes as a six-trailer traveling exhibit — and Anne Marie Charland seconded. The committee voted unanimously to decline the invitation.
The meeting closed with a motion by Jim Murphy to adjourn at 7:58 p.m., seconded by Anne Marie Charland; the motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance • Approval of previous minutes — Motion: accept minutes; mover: Mary Ann Hansen; second: John Holmy; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Decline Freedom 250 Traveling Museum Tour — Motion: decline invitation; mover: Jacob Orcutt; second: Anne Marie Charland; outcome: approved (unanimous). • Adjournment — Motion: adjourn at 7:58 p.m.; mover: Jim Murphy; second: Anne Marie Charland; outcome: approved (unanimous).
Next steps noted in the minutes include Holmy’s scheduled appearances on May 4 and May 6, continued work on parade/event logistics, outreach for a George Washington breakfast volunteer and costume, proceeding with the house-sign program and Parks and Rec coordination, and Anne Marie Charland leading the white oak planting and plaque effort at Nathan Hale Homestead.
