The actual anniversary date, May 14, when William Pynchon “swapped wampum” with the Agawam Indians for what is now Springfield, fell on a Wednesday.
Then-mayor Richard E. Neal helps load a time capsule in this May 17, 1986 photo.By KEITH J. O'CONNOR
When Springfield celebrated its 350th anniversary in 1986, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, was mayor.
The Spirit of Springfield, organizers of this year’s 375th anniversary celebration, didn’t exist. It was MOCA – the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs – that put on the 350th birthday party.
The Internet wasn’t mainstream back then, so you couldn’t check out the 350th event schedule online or email MOCA for more information. And there was no making a DVD of some of the events for posterity; everyone was using videotape.
But the word got out as news normally would through the media, fliers, posters, and mailings. Big mailings.
A 350th birthday card was mailed to every resident of the city.
“What was striking to me about the 350th anniversary celebration was how inclusive it was. It was an opportunity for us to highlight the city as the first Springfield in America,” said Neal. “Springfield has an extraordinary industrial history, and I remember wanting that fact stressed as part of the celebration back then along with a look at the future. And I think we did a great job in accomplishing that through what I recall as quite a memorable celebration.”
The U.S. congressman said the “real” highlight for him during the 350th anniversary was a visit to Springfield by Theodor S. Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, the popular children’s author who was born in Springfield in 1904.
“We visited his home on Mulberry Street and then he met with children at Springfield’s main library, and it was just extraordinary,” said Neal.
The former Springfield mayor also had an idea as part of the 350th to establish “Significant Trees” in Springfield, resulting in a brochure funded by Milton Bradley entitled the “Great Trees of Our City.”
“What we did was to ask people to nominate their favorite trees in the city, where they were located and why it was their favorite. The ‘most significant’ tree ended up being in the Springfield Cemetery and was the second largest beech tree in the United States,” said Judith A. Matt, president of the Spirit of Springfield, who at the time was commissioner of MOCA.
The actual anniversary date, May 14, when William Pynchon “swapped wampum” with the Agawam Indians for what is now Springfield, fell on a Wednesday. To celebrate the occasion, there were special activities at Court Square during the afternoon, including a cake and performance by the brass ensemble from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and a huge balloon release. In the evening, there was a free concert at Symphony Hall by the United States Army Show Band of New England.
Toy Hay, of Springfield, spots a birthday hat which clapped when he pulled a string, during the city's 350th anniversary in 1986.Also, as part of the year-long celebration – which included special concerts, the Big Fourth Celebration, pancake breakfast and many other activities – The Republican arranged for national cartoonists such as Jerry Scott to create a cartoon for Springfield. Scott, who drew the cartoon “Nancy,” had everyone’s favorite cartoon girl looking at a newspaper and saying “Hmm ... Springfield is 350 years old. That calls for an ice cream celebration.” Other cartoons included birthday greetings from the “Drabble” and “Peanuts” gangs.
The 350th anniversary celebration ended the year with the free “A Gala 350th Anniversary Ball” on New Year’s Eve at the then-Springfield Civic Center. At 11:15 p.m., the party moved to the Municipal Group Esplanade for the 350th Anniversary closing ceremonies, followed by fireworks.
“As honorary chair of this year’s 375th anniversary, it’s hard for me to imagine that some of the schoolchildren who participated in various 350th events now have families of their own and will be attending this year’s activities with them,” said Neal.