Marblehead Bicentennial

 1976 marked two hundred years since America declared its independence from Great Britain- calling for

celebration across the country. Massachusetts had a lot to celebrate, it being the state starting the fight for

freedom. With help from the Bicentennial Committee, Marblehead took part in the festivities with parades

and reenactments. With more visitors this summer, residents were still able to participate in events.


Planning a city event calls preparation, even a year in advance. Marblehead's own George Alsberg stated

the celebration would be "obnoxious... right up the street- I can see it from here-is where General Glover

lived. When you're this close touch with history, all this commercialism just cheapens it." On the other

hand, John Farrell of Marblehead took the time to notice the children in the town were playing by the

trees that were first planted in 1776.


A calendar of events was posted for the entirety of 1976 including parades, fireworks, races, and

dedications. Members of the Glover's Artillery Regiment took part in demonstrations. Community

members were also urged to voluteener to clear litter off the streets in preparations for the events.

Overall, the celebrations were a hit and may people were left satisfied.


The events kicked off in April 1975, two hundreds marking the beginning of the American Revolution.

On that day, Jeremiah Lee and Eldridge Gerry carted gunpowder from Marblehead to Concord. Col. John

Glover made his way to Lexington, Massachusetts "to prevent military information from reaching British

ships." The kickoff celebration started with the Marblehead High School Chorus, as well as a 

demonstration from the General Glover Regiment.


This photograph from the Marblehead Historical Commission shows the town burying a time capsule for the bicentennial.


Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial. She made a speech on the balcony in Boston where the Declaration of Independence was read. This historic moment pinpointed the new, shared, peaceful relationship between America and Britain.




Work Cited

Farrell, J. (1976, July 28). Letter to the editor. Marblehead Messenger, p. 6. Retrieved October 17, 2023, from http://marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=bicentennial&t=35647&i=t&by=1976&bdd=1970&d=01011976-12311976&m=between&ord=k1&fn=marblehead_messenger_usa_massachusetts_marblehead_19760728_english_6&df=1&dt=10&cid=2783.  

Gifford, H. (1975, July 24). The Bicentennial Biz. Marblehead Messenger. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from http://marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=bicentennial&i=f&d=01011970-12311976&m=between&ord=k1&fn=marblehead_messenger_usa_massachusetts_marblehead_19750724_english_20&df=1&dt=10&cid=2783http://marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=bicentennial&i=f&d=01011970-12311976&m=between&ord=k1&fn=marblehead_messenger_usa_massachusetts_marblehead_19750724_english_20&df=1&dt=10&cid=2783. 

Bicentennial calendar. (1975, September 11). Marblehead Messenger. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from http://marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=bicentennial&i=f&d=01011970-12311976&m=between&ord=k1&fn=marblehead_messenger_usa_massachusetts_marblehead_19750911_english_9&df=1&dt=10&cid=2783. 

’76 bicentennial events start friday at high school. (1975a, April 17). Marblehead Messenger. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from http://marbleheadpl.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=bicentennial&i=f&d=01011970-12311976&m=between&ord=k1&fn=marblehead_messenger_usa_massachusetts_marblehead_19750417_english_1&df=11&dt=20&cid=2783. 

http://marbleheadhistory.pastperfectonline.com/Photo/6FFB9A1D-90BA-4B28-AFE5-166334303085 



Location: Marblehead, MA, USA

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