Research

Administrative History

The Washington's Birthday Celebration Commission was a temporary state commission established by Chapter 615 of the Laws of 1928 to cooperate with the federal government in the celebration of the 200th anniversary (1732-1932) of the birth of George Washington. An initial appropriation of $5,000 was reappropriated in 1929 (Chapter 84) and commission membership was increased in 1930 (Chapter 591). The commission was required to keep a record of its proceedings and report to the legislature annually.

The U.S. Commission to Commemorate Washington's Bicentennial was created by a congressional resolution of December 2, 1924 to plan a fitting patriotic observance of the anniversary and to educate the public on the life and character of Washington. Bernard M. Baruch was presidential commissioner from New York. An exposition was held in Washington, D.C. in 1932.