A reminder from The First Parish Church 375th Celebration

First Parish Church celebrates 375 years as the guiding tower of Newbury....
Newbury planning notes forwarded by Bert Noyes

As we watch another few flakes of snow fall the hopeful message is that spring will soon be here. With spring will come the long awaited birthday party of both the town of Newbury and First Parish Church. For the three days of Memorial Day weekend we will honor all those dedicated men and women who fought and continue to fight to preserve our freedom, from the Revolutionary War to those now in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On May 29, 30 and 31 a realistic time line will be on the Upper Green depicting life in war time camps. Opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 29th will first honor Rev. Thomas Parker, Newbury's first minister, who was given the agricultural charter by King George of England, directing Parker to lead the new town of Newbury. On this day we will also honor those involved in the Revolutionary War. Ceremonies will be held in the First Burying Ground and a realistic depicter of General George Washington on his horse will review the troops on the Green and then ride to the cemetery to speak there. There will be many opportunities to take part to enjoy the food, the music and the costuming of each era.
May 30th will be the day to honor all those who fought in the Civil War. On this day we have the privilege of the company of President and Mrs. Lincoln who will march with all to the church for the 10am worship service and remain following that for a brunch. As with the day before, the time line will remain on the Green, open from 9-5, with reenactments of firing squads, drills and all which was involved with life in camp in the 1860s. Music of the era will be enjoyed. There will be an opportunity to have tea with the President and his wife listening to their discussion of the dreadful times of the 1860s.
On May 31st the camp on the Green will again open at 9am showing the times and the differences in the life in battle from WW1 to the present. Re-enactors of each war we hope will have a presentation and a teaching opportunity. This day will begin again at 9 with reveille. A
Fly-by with planes of the era has been arranged by Bert Noyes between 10 and noon. We hope to have the Triton school band perform the songs of WW1 and WW 11 at 11am in concert. A BBQ on the Green will be offered from 11-12:30. At 12 we hope to have a 60’s era rock band to perform the music of the remaining wars. A closing ceremony will take place circling the duck pond at 12:30. A wreath will be thrown into the pond to honor the heroes of the 20th century wars. This closing ceremony will end with the passing of the agricultural charter given to Rev. Thomas Parker in 1635 by King George of England to Rev. Nancy Haverington, minister of First Parish Church as she now leads the church with the vision of “Stewards of Earth and Spirit”. Taps will be played and the three day celebration comes to an end.

Mark these three days now on your calendars so as not to miss these opportunities for a first hand look at our past as it is so very realistically depicted. It's a great chance for our children as well as adults to learn history in action.

Also check the 2B2 web site calendar of events.