The Town of Greenwich is celebrating its 380th birthday with a virtual celebration to commemorate its origins as one of the oldest and most distinguished communities in the nation. A key component of the celebration is a call to all residents to share their dream for the Town’s future.
“Our town has a long and rich history and in many ways mirrors that of our nation,” said Greenwich Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Debra Mecky in a release. “Our birthday is a fitting reminder that everyone plays a role in shaping our future. A more inclusive, diverse, and honestly told story will serve Greenwich with the integrity, truth, honor, compassion, and wisdom that comes with broad knowledge and active listening.”
Mecky said residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to reflect on Greenwich’s founding and share their hopes and dreams for the Greenwich of the future via MY WISH for GREENWICH portal which will be available on the Greenwich Historical Society website on Friday.
“We hope these messages will help inspire a commitment to listen and learn from each other,” she added.
Virtual Format Shines Spotlight on Little Known Greenwich Stories
Founders Day programming will include the time-honored reading of the deed and proclamation and the reveal of this year’s winners of the This Place Matters photo competition. Several new tours will be introduced: a docent-led Landscaping and Garden tour of the campus grounds and self-guided tours of Greenwich Point and the Revolutionary War. In addition, narratives will be shared that shaped the town over the centuries, even hundreds of years before the deed was signed in 1640.
“We’re taking a more expansive look at how our town and the Historical Society developed and asking residents to take part in the conversation,” says Mecky. “Pride of community, state and nation is codified in stories of origins. Our virtual format provides an ideal opportunity to learn from the past and imagine the future.”
Virtual content will be available on the Greenwich Historical Society website on Friday, July 17. Founders Day is Saturday, July 18.
This Place Matters Photo Contest Winners to be Unveiled
The top three entrants to the Historical Society’s contest that recognizes the many ways Greenwich residents and institutions are rising to the occasion during the pandemic will be announced. Judged by Greenwich Magazine Art Department editors, the winning photos will appear in a fall edition of Greenwich Magazine, Exclusive Magazine Sponsor of This Place Matters, and will be proudly displayed at the Greenwich Historical Society campus.