Plymouth's 400th Anniversary

Minutes of Public Meetings of the Plymouth 2020 Committee: 2009

Meeting of the Plymouth 400th Committee
Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Art Guild, North Street, Plymouth

Present: Peter Gomes, Jim Baker, Peg Baker, Paul Bumpus, Tamson Burgess, Tom Calter, Paul Cripps, Vinnie DeMacedo, Gary Marks, John McDonagh, Monica Mullin for Terry Murray, Paula Peters, Ken Tavares; Patrick O’Brien.
Absent: Kathy Babini, Rodney Randy Joseph.

Peter Gomes opened the meeting by reminding the committee of its charge as an entity of the Town of Plymouth that reports to and is advisory to the Board of Selectmen and that is responsible for orchestrating the events celebrating 2020 and the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. He announced that he had appointed Peg Baker Secretary. Group introductions followed.

REPORT OF PETER GOMES
Peter Gomes reported that he has invited three additional people to join the committee: Ben Brewster, Enzo Monti and Ed Santos. All three have agreed to serve. Peter then asked the committee to approve the appointment of 2 honorary members of the committee: John G. Talcott Jr., chair of the 350th anniversary celebration and Brian Alosi, chair of the 375th anniversary celebration. The committee VOTED to approve these appointments. Peter will proceed to contact them.

There have been previous meetings of a small Executive Committee (Peter Gomes, Ken Tavares, Jim Baker and later Peg Baker with the town represented by Mark Sylvia and Pat O’Brien. One item devised by this group was a timeline for the celebration – mid 2020 to November (Thanksgiving) of 2021. There are dates within that framework that should also be commemorated.

The committee should take heed of the example of Jamestown. The resources that are or will be available are: local government, state support once the state commission is appointed and sworn in, historical societies, local schools, the religious community and the civic community. The most problematical issue may be money. Money is essential and, sooner rather than later, the committee must seriously consider sources of funding.

Peter has reviewed the plans for 1920, which included some items – such as an international exposition in Boston – that never occurred. There was, however, a great deal of activity in Plymouth. Peter then asked each committee member to briefly speak about their ideas on what we ought to be doing – or not doing – for 2020.

COMMITTEE IDEAS
Peter Gomes: 2020 should not be simply a replication of past events or a repeat of another group’s celebration; it should be special to Plymouth and to 2020. Plymouth is celebrating not merely its founding but its survival over 400 years and therefore the event should be as inclusive, as engaging and as festive as possible (and a source of enjoyment to Plymoutheans as well as visitors), with lots of “buzz” leading up to 2020. It should also be intercultural and intergenerational. The younger audience should be a particular focus. The local cultural community should be involved, perhaps the Philharmonic could commission a new work, artists should be involved. The committee should plan on at least two royal visits – the reigning monarchs of Great Britain and the Netherlands – and a presidential visit as well from the sitting President of the United States.

Vinnie DeMacedo: The celebration will need to match or exceed the resources that were given to Jamestown. We should reach a consensus on what we want Pilgrim State Park to be, incorporating a wider history than just the Pilgrims, and then petition the state and federal governments for resources.

Paul Cripps: This event shouldn’t simply end in 2021, it should be seen as a lead-ion to the 400th anniversary in Boston. It is absolutely essential that there be a significant upgrade to the town’s transportation system. Mayflower II must sail. Pilgrim Progress must march. The committee must engage a high quality design firm to create logos, and a “look,” so that there will be unity in marketing.

John McDonagh: The committee should establish a 501 c3 organization so that we can receive monies. We should start seeding Websites like Wikipedia so that the “buzz” begins. Identify sources of “foot soldiers.” The coming 2012 Olympics in London will provide an opportunity to international visibility. A multicultural approach in the interpretation of events in 1620 is essential. Is there, perhaps, a way of getting in on the economic stimulus package? We should be aware of making the celebration as “green” as possible. We should also have programs and events beyond Plymouth – the Smithsonian holds a Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC every July, we could create something for July of 2020. Suggested motto “2020 begins now.”

Tamson Burgess: This is a unique convergence of history with a party that can result in lasting cultural value. It is essential that we look at this as an opportunity to create educational opportunities for children, local and national. There should be, in the Old Colony Memorial (print and online), a regular column or series of short articles written by Peter or others, drawing from the expertise and interests of the committee members to provide regular communication within the town.

Pat O’Brien: infrastructure is extremely important. To begin with, the “delivery systems” need significant improvement.

Ken Tavares: 2020 is the opportunity to both reaffirm Plymouth’s position as America’s founding community and to raise Plymouth’s own self-esteem. This is an opportunity to broaden our horizons to include all the cultures that make up today’s Plymouth. Considerable work has been done in creating a vision for an improved Plymouth and Dennis Carlone from the planning group should be brought in so that we can build on the work that has already been done. This would also be a superb occasion to bring the Bradford Journal back to Plymouth from Boston. Ken noted that the current first-grade class is the “Class of 2020” and they should be involved in the process now with follow-through over the next years.

Gary Marks: We should learn from Jamestown. Agreed that we should focus on the multicultural contributions of all of Plymouth’s residents through the centuries. Advocated a responsible and rational presentation of the religion that was such a moving force in the Pilgrim narrative, face issues of toleration. Should also add the Archbishop of Canterbury to the list of dignitaries who should be seriously invited to attend the ceremonies. There should be educational seminars that focus on deeper issues, including the role of John Robinson, the Pilgrims’ pastor.

Jim Baker: Agreed that Pilgrim State Park should be made into something far more significant than it is today. Emphasized the need for a professional logo and the need to be inclusive. There should result something of lasting intellectual value – books or other materials that will remain in use well beyond 2020. The celebration needs to be inclusive of people and cultural, also needs to be inclusive as far as Plymouth’s history, with an emphasis on Plymouth as a microcosm of the entire expanse of American history.

Peg Baker: The themes of Plymouth history need to be tied to broader themes that are of current national, even international, interest. 2020 is also the 400th [correction: 100th] anniversary of female suffrage in America – women’s groups will be celebrating that anniversary, tie that to the broader history of women in America, beginning with the Mayflower. Tie issues of religious toleration to the current interest in how societies integrate religious minorities; include not just the Archbishop of Canterbury but a leading rabbi and an imam. Burial Hill needs urgent physical improvement.

Paul Bumpus: Agreed that Burial Hill needs significant help. 2020 is a “Congress year” (national Mayflower Society Congress occurs every 3 years) and there will be a large contingent of Mayflower Descendants in Plymouth between September 11 & 16, 2020. This committee and the Mayflower Society need to consider how the descendants can participate in the celebrations and in supporting the celebrations. There are a considerable number of “Mayflower descendant celebrities,” we should look at involving them in order to bring visibility to the celebration. The committee should consider involving Hollywood East and eventually the subsidiary businesses that will result.

Monica Mullin for Senator Murray: The Senate President might like to focus on the governance of the Colony, and of how their early efforts at governing took root and laid a foundation for later generations. The Committee could look forward to both State and Federal monies as the economy improved over time. Monica personally added that highlighting literary works relating to Plymouth would be an interesting addition, especially if readings were to be done by the authors of the works, or by prominent Plymouth residents. In response to Paul Bumpus' thoughts on including Plymouth Rock Studios, they would be honored to participate and have already contributed to the Plymouth community in many ways.

Paula Peters: Being the only Mashpee Wampanoag represented on the committee is a very uncomfortable position for me and accepted with mixed blessing; I must assure that my heritage is represented with balance and integrity at the same time we commemorate an anniversary of an event that brought upon my ancestors some very regrettable alliances. It is imperative that infrastructure and transportation issues be addressed. Branding is an important consideration; a contest among high-end branding agencies is not impossible. Viral marketing is important as is perspective. It would be a significant contribution to have the “story” written from the Wampanoag perspective by a Wampanoag (in form of published material). On a recent trip to England, she let it be known that the Wampanoag are looking for the return of King Philip’s wampum belt (exact location in England is not known); this would be a great gift to the Native community. A good project to involve the local Native population would be an effort to recreate a wampum belt. Pilgrim Park could be transformed into “Pilgrim & Patuxet Park” and represent both cultures.

Tom Calter: we should not forget the real and deeper meaning – the cultural, historical and patriotic symbolism – in the midst of the celebration and events. We need to reach out beyond Plymouth to the rest of the country; we have a responsibility to share the story.

Peter Gomes: reminded the committee that there is an entire additional element to be eventually considered – the towns of the original “Old Colony” to the north, west, south to Cape Cod. As momentum builds, they will want to be somehow incorporated into the celebration. Peter also asked if, as a committee, we need to hold a public meeting and is so, when? The committee agreed that we need to solidify our own message first and consider ways, such as the formation of subcommittees, that interested people – once self-identified – could actually feel they were involved and contributing.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION
Peter said that all the ideas are good and that some of them should be translated soon into actions. One overriding issue that we need to face is the question of staffing – there needs to be a paid staff executive to manage these projects - who? And how will they be paid? There are planning grants available. Funding could also, perhaps, come from a license plate. It was suggested that first there needs to be an organization in place that can receive funds and that, therefore, the first action is to establish a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation. This will require a lawyer to set up the corporation, incorporate it and get it certified.

ACTION ITEM- PAUL CRIPPS & JOHN MCDONAGH: Paul Cripps and John McDonagh will identify a lawyer who will work pro bono with the committee to get the paperwork done to establish a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation. Peter Gomes will serve as the corporation’s executive and John McDonagh will serve as acting treasurer. This Committee will serve as the corporation’s board and the address will be Plymouth Town Hall, care of the Town Manager’s Office. The fiscal year should match that of the Town’s, July 1 – June 30. Paul and John will also think of possible corporate names.

ACTION ITEM - KEN TAVARES: David Kirkpatrick of Plymouth Rock Studios should be asked to join the Committee. Peter Gomes’ additions (Brewster, Monti and Santos have already been asked by Peter and accepted) will be presented to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on Tuesday, February 23rd by Ken Tavares. Ken will contact David Kirkpatrick and, if he agrees to serve, add his name so that there will be 4 additions to the committee.

ACTION ITEM – PETER GOMES: Peter will contact John G. Talcott Jr., chair of the 350th anniversary celebration and Brian Alosi, chair of the 375th anniversary celebration to see if they would be willing to serve as honorary members of this committee.

ACTION ITEM -ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The committee members individually and as a group need to begin the thought and discussion on possible sources of funding. Approaches should be made to the business community as well as to the state and federal government. Vinnie DeMacedo suggested that he, Tom Calter and Terry Murray could accept the assignment to look for possible state resources that would be available in the near term, perhaps through the tourism budget. Paula Peters suggested an annual festive bash of some sort to both raise funds and awareness, to get and keep the locals excited.

ACTION ITEM - ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The committee members need to be thinking about a job description for a paid executive.

ACTION ITEM – ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Each member of the committee needs to be prepared to individually write or speak or spread the word about the approach of 2020 and its importance.

NEXT MEETINGS
The next two meetings of the committee will be:
7:00 pm on Monday, March 23 (place to be determined by Patrick O’Brien).
7:00 pm on Monday, April 20 (place to be determined by Patrick O’Brien).

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Peggy Baker, Secretary