Records relating to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington A0026

Records relating to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

The Washington's Birthday Celebration Commission was a temporary state commission established to cooperate with the federal government in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington. The bulk of the series consists of reports of the state commission and a variety of pamphlets, magazine articles, illustrations, and newspaper clippings about George Washington. Also included are scores of letters to the state commission from citizens from around New York who were born on February 22nd.

Creator:

Washington's Birthday Celebration Commission

Title:

Records relating to the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington

Quantity:

2.5 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1929-1932

Series Number:

A0026

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.

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of the series consists of reports of the state commission and a variety of pamphlets, magazine articles, illustrations, and newspaper clippings about George Washington. The reports detail creation, membership and work of the state commission, as well as events and memorials in New York and in other states. A series of published pamphlets on George Washington's life were issued by the federal bicentennial commission, which coordinated commemorative events nationwide.

Also included in the series are scores of letters to the state commission from citizens from around New York who were born on February 22nd. The commission wanted the names and addresses of every person in the state born on Washington's birthday, and offered a "pleasant surprise" to those who responded. Neither a tabulation of the returns nor explanation of the surprise is present.