Bicentennial reflections as Woodbridge prepares to celebrate America’s 250th

In just two years, the United States will reach its 250th anniversary and cities and towns across the country will host Semiquincentennial commemorations. This will surely be a unique opportunity to come together in Woodbridge, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate the community spirit that has shaped our town since the generations who lived here during America's founding in 1776. Many of today's residents may still remember the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976, which featured parades, concerts, and commemorative events.

For me, growing up in nearby West Haven, those events sparked my lifelong love for local history. I still remember, from the viewpoint of a 4th grader, the colonial history lessons, musical performances, and the student-authored plays that were performed — and our Brownie Troop marching in the local parade dressed in our homemade colonial garb. A citywide art contest made it possible to paint the fire hydrant at the corner in a creative red, white, and blue pattern. But my favorite activity was the chance to visit the colonial-era cemetery on the center green where I felt so lucky to find the actual gravestone of my 9th great-grandfather alongside the many Revolutionary War patriot graves there.

As we approach America's 250th anniversary, there’s no shortage of ways we can imagine what Woodbridge’s celebrations could look like. By paging through the booklet created by Woodbridge’s own Bicentennial Committee back in 1976, we can look to the past for inspiration while also making room for new ideas that reflect our community today.

The 1976 Bicentennial commemorative booklet was a labor of love, created by a dedicated committee of Woodbridge residents who believed in preserving the town's history and heritage. Led by Susan C. Baldwin who was Chairman of the Woodbridge Bicentennial Commission, the planners included members from various backgrounds, including Mary Blakeslee, Carla Borrelli, Rabbi Arthur Chiel, Christine Donaldson, Carroll A. Means, Russell B. Stoddard, Dorothy S. Sutfin, and Reverdy H. Whitlock. These individuals, along with many others, contributed time, historical knowledge, and resources to bring the Town's Bicentennial celebration and the commemorative booklet to life. Their work was further supported by contributions from local families, businesses, and civic leaders who donated funds for its printing and production.

This collective effort reflected a strong community spirit, uniting Woodbridge residents in celebrating and recording the town's unique story for future generations. The commission’s heartfelt message encouraged residents to see 1976 as a milestone year, inspiring a vision for Woodbridge to thrive as it embraced its future as a small community within Connecticut.

You can read the full booklet, or download the PDF to print a copy, by clicking the link below.

Meanwhile, as the last few months of 2024 rush by in the here and now, there are several resources available to help guide planning efforts that will inevitably take place here in Woodbridge to help our community make the most of this coming 250th milestone for our country.

The American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) has made a Technical Leaflet available to assist communities in beginning the process of establishing a 2026 Semiquincentennial Committee.

Another resource that offers guidance is the website America 250 Years in the Making, where a variety of engaging content has been assembled for people in local communities to share ideas. One featured option, called America's Field Trip, is an invitation for students in grades 3-12 to submit artwork and essays in answer to the question: “What does America mean to you?”

And for a local viewpoint, Connecticut Magazine recently published an essay titled “CT historian looks back at 1976 bicentennial as the U.S. prepares to celebrate 250 years” that showcased some vintage photos from 1976 to help inspire plans for 2026.

Consulting all these resources, a few ideas seem particularly relevant for Woodbridge:

Rekindle Community Engagement with a Local Planning Committee:
The 250th celebration calls for a local committee that can bring together community leaders, residents, and local institutions in Woodbridge. According to the AASLH’s Technical Leaflet guidance on forming a commission, this committee can be less formal than those established in larger cities. Instead, consider a committee or working group with members from local historical societies, schools, and even small businesses. Some additional recommendations include reaching out through announcements or word-of-mouth to gather a diverse group of participants who can add depth and variety to the planning process​.

Link 1976 Bicentennial Reflections to Present-Day Planning:
Woodbridge has a unique advantage with its 1976 Bicentennial booklet, which could serve as a guiding document and inspiration. Planning committee members could revisit the events and projects of 1976, using them as a foundation to develop new events that resonate with today’s community. For instance, Stamford’s Bicentennial planning effort was noted as “a chance to expand understanding of who mattered in American history,” a focus that could align well with current efforts to research Woodbridge history guided by the Witness Stone Project. The ongoing work to update the Town's Plan of Conservation and Development might also dovetail with efforts to celebrate the past with an eye on our community's future.

Engage Local Government and Schools:
According to the AASLH Technical Leaflet, involving local elected officials from the start can help secure both funding and support. The Woodbridge committee could work with the town government to pass a resolution establishing the Semiquincentennial Commission as an official body, even if it’s smaller in scope. This structure legitimizes the committee and enhances outreach efforts, especially when involving schools and libraries, which can create learning opportunities that span generations.

Emphasize Heritage Tourism and Community Identity:
Woodbridge could also consider harnessing its history to attract heritage tourism, which provides economic benefits to small towns. As suggested in the America 250 resource, developing regional collaborations with nearby towns or historical sites would expand the reach of events, draw in more visitors, and highlight Woodbridge’s role in the broader historical landscape of Connecticut.

These ideas—and many others—offer a compelling starting point for planning a Semiquincentennial celebration that not only honors Woodbridge’s rich legacy but also sparks fresh, meaningful connections within our community. Imagine a town-wide celebration where every event, story, and gathering reaffirms our local history and shared pride. If you're inspired to learn more or eager to join in planning, I’d love to hear from you! Working together, there's no doubt our community can create a memorable milestone celebration that future generations of Woodbridge residents will cherish.