KENT, Conn. — As preparations continue for Kent’s celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, residents and visitors are invited to experience a growing collection of commemorative displays and community projects that showcase the town’s creativity and love of history.
One of the most anticipated commemorative items is a limited-edition handcrafted wooden medallion featuring the Eric Sloane Liberty Bell, the official logo of Kent’s USA 250th celebration. Kent’s medallions were made by local resident River Greenbaum and produced exclusively for this milestone. The medallions are now available for purchase for $5 each at Kent Town Hall, 45 on Main and Kent Station Pharmacy.
Only a limited number have been handmade. Proceeds from sales will help offset the costs of the Lights & Liberty Parade on July 3 and the community events planned for July 4 at Kent Town Hall.
“The medallions are a wonderful keepsake of this historic milestone and a meaningful way for folks to support Kent’s celebration,” said Sarah Chase, chair of Kent’s USA 250th Committee. “Every purchase helps us make these community celebrations possible.”
Visitors to Kent Town Hall will also find several special exhibits celebrating the nation’s Semiquincentennial. Among the highlights is a commemorative quilt created by the talented members of the Kent Quilters, whose craftsmanship and creativity have produced a lasting tribute to the community and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Also on display is “ A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence 1776,” a painting by the late Cornwall artist Charles Besozzi (1904–1997). Inspired by the American Bicentennial in 1976, Besozzi created an extensive collection of paintings depicting significant events in early American history from the 1600s through the 1800s.
The painting captures a scene familiar throughout the colonies, where citizens gathered to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time. Additional works from Besozzi’s early American history collection are currently on exhibit at So Lost Sew Found Gallery in Kent.
The Kent USA 250th Committee is also announces that Meadow Moerschell, a senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and the committee’s youngest member, has been selected as Kent’s representative for the official Connecticut USA 250 events taking place in Hartford on July 4.
Throughout the planning process, Meadow has brought enthusiasm, creativity and her youthful perspective to the committee’s work. Her selection reflects Kent’s commitment to ensuring that the next generation plays an active role in commemorating this historic anniversary.
“We are incredibly proud of Meadow,” said Chase. “She represents the very best of our community, and we are honored to have her represent the Town of Kent at the state’s official 250th celebrations.”
Kent’s USA 250th festivities will begin with the Lights & Liberty Parade on the evening of July 3, followed by a full day of community programming on July 4, including a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, Betsy Ross Flag-raising, nation-wide bell ringing, family activities, historical exhibits, music, and other patriotic celebrations.
For more details about Kent’s events and how to be involved, click here.