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BICENTENNIAL -1980
CENTEN NIAL CELEBRATION OF BRUNSW ICK
How can Brunswick celebrate a Bicentennial in 1980 when the town did not incorporate until 1890? Without difficulty, if you're a local history buff. On November 7, 1780, Clement Hollyday conveyed to Leonard Smith the western half of the original 3100-acre Royal grant, "Hawkins' Merry Peep O'Day." Two hundred years later, on Friday, November 7, 1980, a group from Brunswick met at St. John's Ci!.tholicCe meteryatThi rd and East Streets, Frederick, at the gravesite of Leonard Smith, his wife and several descendants . Color and ceremony were added by the Steadman-K eenan American Legion Post Honor Guard, Mayor Jess Orndorf issued a welcome, and Rev. H. Austin Cooper, town historian, spoke about Brunswick's founder and his family. He recalled that "Leonard Smith had a vision far beyond his day," having had a dream of channeling the Potomac River enough to carry barges of produce from the "West to Baltimore. Earlier that year, on Sunday, August 10, 1980, during the annual Potomac River Festival, an interdenominatio nal "Colonial Service of Worship" was held at the Maryland Avenue Methodist Church, participants wearing costumes appropriate to the period. William C. Myers, Jr., drummer, summoned the congregatio n to worship. Reverends H. Austin Cooper, David Sparrow, Penny Penrose, and Harry Ledgard (host church minister) marched to the choir loft led by "Beadle" Don Krigbaum. Bill Nallo took the role of Tything-ma n, and John Gardiner was Prccentor. Rev. Mr. Cooper presented the exposition, entitled "Wilderness Patriarchs," in which he explained the roles played by many of the first settlers from the beginning of the Potomac Crossing of 1730 to passers-thro ugh like Daniel Boone. Mrs. Pauline Ledgard, Philip and Christina; Mrs.John Payne, Merri and John; and Frances Isaacs also participated in this program.
Brunswick has been continually aware of occasions that warrant celebrations . The people have always turned the occasion into a happening, as one can sec by the preceding articles. The year 1990 is the one-hundre dth anniversary of the incorporatio n of the town. Thedateofin corporation was April 8, 1890. On April 8, 1990, church bells were rung and the Central Alalrm blasted for us for five minutes at midday. There will be numerous other ways of welcoming the beginning of our second century. You are reading one now! Complicating the coverage of the event (or events) in this book is the publication date, October 6, coinciding with the town's observation . Brunswick: 100 Years of Memories, is expected to be off the press by this day. The copy goes to press in mid-August , so lastminute happenings will not be included, sad to say. As of early August the celebration shaping up will include the following: • Railroad renaissance Festival, October 6 and 7, will open with a restored 1891 Francis Baldwin Train Station on display. A turn-of-the century Roundhous e and Turntable will be seen from East Potomac Street. • All Aboard for the Mainstreet Special for a train ride to historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and back. • The Brunswick Museum includes one of the largest HO model train layouts on the east coast, so don't miss it. • A train will run from Baltimore with about 800 people, sponsored by the MARYLAND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION. • Betty Lou's Dance Studio will present a recital. • Another book, this one a reproductio n of Esther Cooper's 1959 book of poems, Of Dreams and Reality, should be back in print, including poems about the railroad, the canal, the river and the poetess' own spiritual (and other) thoughts and observations. • A railroad art exhibit and a memorabili a auction will be held. Carriage and stagecoach rides will be offered. • Caboose, diesel engine and other rolling stock will be displayed. • The annual Veterans' Day Parade will be held on November 4. • Victorian Christmas will arrive November 24 in the Museum.
W-MMM -B LC - Bill Margrabe
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