City of San Bernardino Bicentennial Commission records

Collection

Identifier: SC-027

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection includes correspondence, documents, photographs, and other materials related to the City of San Bernardino Bicentennial Commission and the various bicentennial celebration events held in San Bernardino, California, throughout 1976. The materials document numerous public activities such as the Old Fashioned All-American Picnic, the Renaissance Festival, and the Joe Page Bicycle Contest. Also featured are several notable exhibitions, including the student-built “Uncle Sam Robot” display, the “California in Paint” exhibit, and the “Gallery of American History” exhibit. Among the most significant efforts highlighted is the city’s beautification and preservation work conducted during the bicentennial, particularly the “Bicentennial Garden Plots” youth landscaping project, the maintenance of San Bernardino’s historic landmarks, and the “Beautiful Mystery of San Bernardino” initiative.

Dates

Creation: 1972-1976, undated

Creator

City of San Bernardino Bicentennial Commission (Organization)

Access

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright Unknown: Some materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction, and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Biographical Note

The City of San Bernardino hosted a wide range of activities to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial including historical exhibitions, beautification projects, and ceremonies honoring all branches of the U.S. government and military. The Bicentennial Commission coordinated these efforts - overseeing funding, program development/execution, and award planning to ensure that events and recognitions were carried out smoothly. The commission’s work spanned from 1972-1976, during which members developed ideas, organized programs, and guided preparations for the city’s bicentennial celebration.

Bicentennial Commissioners: Chairman, William R. Coleman Vice-Chairman, E. George Webster Secretary, Philip McCririe Treasurer, Larry Harvey Corresponding Secretary, Clarence Goodwin Mayor's Coordinator, N. David Light Council's Coordinator, Olen Jones Executive Director, Thelma Press Secretary to Director, Audra Coffee

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (2 record storage boxes, 1 oversize document box)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

License: This record is made available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Creative Commons license.

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection documents the City of San Bernardino’s planning and celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. Spanning 1972–1976, the materials include correspondence, documents, photographs, and other records created by the San Bernardino Bicentennial Commission, which oversaw funding, program development, beautification work, and event coordination.