Milford chronicle., 1932-05-13
WILMINGTON TO
CELEBRATEITS
lO0TH BIRTHDAY
GCOnfiaupd from First Pagel

outside the confines of the city have
/ in it, there is a wealth of historical
interest centered about Wilmington,
he added, and the events of Charter
Centennial Week will be focused
upon its rich history.
Frank c. Sparks, fOrtieth Mayor
of Wilmington, extended an official
welcome to the city, stating that an
attractive program has been ar
ranged for the entertainment OF
visitors.
"The Burgesses and Borough
Council of the Borough of Whining
ton" as it was called 100 years ago,
was granted a charter Incorporating
Wilmington as a full-tiedged city on
January II, 1892, at the same ses-
sion of the Legislature as granted a
charter to the Philadelphia, Will
mington and Baltimore Railroad
Company.
The first Mayor of Wilmington,
who was elected by City Council,
was Richard Henry Bayard, who al
so served as State Senator at the
same time. He later became Chief
Justice, of Delaware, serving from
1889 to 1871. The people had no
voice in the selection of the first
five mayors, but after 1850 those
who were to occupy the chief ex-
ecutive post of the city we're elected
by the voters.
The Governor of Delaware at the
time Wilmington ''came of age" was
David Hazard of Sussex county. He
held that office from 1929 until No
vember. 1882.
Wilmington at the time of its in
corporation as a city was a "bor-
ough" of less than 1000 population.
The forty mayors who have held CT
flee since that time have seen ii
grow mare than 1900 per cent, un-
ill it has a population of more than
10000
The program which has been de-
signed by the Charter Centennial
Committee to commemorate this
hundred years OF progress is an
elaborate and appropriate one, yet 1t
has been planned economically, in
keeping with the times.
Beginning next Sunday with SER
vices of historical nature in Will
mington churches, the celebration
will continue through the entire
week, with colorful events every
day. At 10 a. m. on Monday there
will be a formal opening of the eX-
tensive Historical Exhibit, prepared
by students and instructors of 2S
schools in the city. Governor Buck,
Mayor Sparks, members of City
Council. high officials of the State,
County and City, and members OF
the Centennial Executive Commit
tee, will participate in the affair."
which will be held at the City-Coun-
ty Building.
On Wednesday, May 18, a varied
schedule will be observed from p.
m. until IL p. m, with open air
band concerts, community singing
folk dancing and other events be-
fore a beautiful Court of Honor in
front of the Municipal Building. An
exceptional musical treat has been
prepared, with a great number OF
bands in cOlorful uniforms.
Market street will be decorated
from the Brandywine Bridge to the
bridge across the Christiana. and
the area surrounding the C;ty-COun-
ty Building will be especially ger
geOus, with high columns, garlands,
golden eagles, gold seals on blue
backgrounds. flags. amber and blue
lights and other features.
On Saturday, May 21, will he held
the Annual Pilgrimage Of the Sons |,
of Delaware of Philadelphia. About /
200 members of this organization |
will arrive in a motor caravan, with !
State and City motorcycle police es-
corts. They will tour the city, |
stopping at such points OF histori- |
cal interest as Old Town Hall and /
Old Swedes Church, and will in
spect the residential section. then !
return for a banquet TO be held at
7 o'clock in the Hotel duPOnt-Bilt-
more.
Christopher Ward, prominent Will
mingtOn attorney and author OF
historical books on Delaware, will !
make the main address Of the eve
ming. an dformer u. s. District
Judge Hugh NJ. Morris will be toast
master.