The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-07-08
P AGEANT PLANS
ARE NOW WELL
UNDER WAY
Enthusiastic Meeting Of Com
Imittee Last Evening
GUARANTEE FUND ASSURED
Arrangements for Historical and In
dustrial Exhibits Of Pioneer
Days in Bennington

That the pageant now being plan
ned for celebrating the 150th anniyer
sary of the settlement of Bennington
will be distinctive and most decidedly
worth while is assured by the extern
siye arrangements, which are now
rapidly nearing completion From
the enthusiasm shown at the meet
ing Of the general pageant committee
in the Y NJ. c. A. building last eve
ming, when Miss Margaret Eager Of
Northampton, Mass, under whose SUI
peryision the pageant will be held,
was present, it appears certain that
this observance of Bennington's birth
day will be one OF the most interest
ing and elaborate celebrations ever
held in this town.
In addition to the pageant proper,
the details of which are now being
planned with great care, several ex-
cellent and attractive special features
are being arranged. Among these
are the historical exhibit, which will
probably be held in the Old Academy
in Old Bennington, and the Industrial
exhibit, the place for the latter ex-
hibtion not having been fully deter
mined.
Because OF Bennington's historical
wealth, the first named exhibit will
be unusually interesting and will be
highly educational A large number
of old relics of early days will be
pI, In trha vi ne
drawn upon for antiques, and 1t goes
without saying that the collection
will be both large and varied Among
the interesting objects already secur
ed are several old portraits and pic
lures, two or three OF which are por
traits OF Gov. Isaac Tichenor and are
especially attractive. Mrs. ]. V. S
Merrill and George A. Robinson have
charge of this feature.
The industrial exhibit will con
tain many samples of both the old
and the present products of Benning
ton, North Bennington and Pownal
This feature alone Will contain SO OF
more different exhibits. The samples
of the products OF early industrial
Bennington will probably prove L
be especially attractive, as samples o.
the first furniture pottery. nails anC
various other articles Manufactured
here over 100 years ago. will be OF
view
Philip T. II. Pierson, who Is chair
man OF the committee in charge o
this exhibit, has approached all thu
local manufactures, and almost with
out exception, they have readily as
scented to the overtures of the com
mittee 1t is thought that the gymna
stun of the Y NJ. c. A. will be secur
ed for the exhibit
1t was planned to raise $1,000 TO de
fray the expenses of the celebration
A report from Collins Nj. raves, chair
man of the finance committee, state'
that $3.50 of this amount had alread.
been secured, and that the balance i
promised. This money, which wa
raised by subscription, is to serve a
a guarantee fund only.
From the gate receipts, the sale o
refreshments by the ID. A. r., tn
renting of automobile spaces and val
ious other sources 1t is expected tina
a sum greatly exceeding this guar
antee fund will be easily secured. i
this event the $1,000 now contribute
will be returned to the subscribers.
In all probability Clarks woods o.
the North Bennington road will b
selected as the place for enacting tn
scenes. This place is easy of acces
both by trolley cars and automobiles
1t is only 10 or 20 minutes walk fror
the heart OF the village.
Bennington is particularly fortur
ate in possessing such place for 1t
pageant, as this spot abounds in ma
ural beauty. The gently slopin
green forms o natural amphitheatr'
which Is surrounded on three side
by large trees. This beautiful spo
will AFFORD splendid opportunities TO
obtaining just the desired effect an
background Tor the various scenes
and together with the different partiC
ipants in their various costumes vii
really be n sight worth seeing.
The pageant will be well adverti'
ed and large number of visitor
will undoubtedly be in Bennington
during the days of the celebration
which will be from August IL to 1,
both these days included Attractiy
hand bills, stickers, posters and
large quantity of literature will b
used literally and will be displaye
throughout this whole section.
An elaborate program, which vii
also be a souvenir of the occasion, /
being planned by the program CON
mittee. This booklet will contain
many beautiful and interesting pic
lures of the various scenes. The Il
cal artists will be permitted to submit
designs for the cover page. The co
or schemes may be either green an
white or black and white The dc
sign must be historical and the letter
ing Historical Pageant of Benninl
ton, Vermont August, II, H. 10 an
+ 16." be used. The size must be
} inches. All designs must be submit
ted by July 10.
A celebration of this nature r.
Quires the earnest and willing SUI
port of the entire community. as
large number of persons will b
needed for the enactment of sue
scenes as the Battle of Bennington
the Green Mountain Boys, the FOL
dances and the large number OF othe
scenes. Persons having suggestion
to make are invited to communlcat
with Dr. Isaac Jennings.