A Memorial To The Town’s 300th Year —

Tercentennial Memorial

Due This Year

By Kendra Bobowick

A memorial will permanently mark the page of Newtown’s 300 years of establishment as officials make plans to lay new stones before the Edmond Town Hall.

An image of the tercentennial symbol placed on a “paver” will replace several feet of stone walkway approaching the town hall’s front steps. Double-sided granite benches will flank the symbol of Newtown’s 300th anniversary.

“It was a fitting place when we thought of memorials,” said Dan Cruson, historian and Tercentennial Commission member as he considers the artistic improvements he hopes to see in place by this fall.

As the commission prepares to vote on the memorial in early September, Mr Cruson is confident that the project will proceed, and that it will be a granite tercentennial symbol carved into a central stone block. He also explained, “This is still in the design stages.” Plans remain tentative, he said.

Generating “the shape and nature” of the memorial was committee member Bridgette Sorenson. Ms Sorenson was out of state when this article was completed.

The Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill welcomes the memorial commemorating a piece of Newtown’s history.

“I think it’s a great project and as far as I’m concerned they can go ahead and do it,” he said. He now waits for the Tercentennial Commission’s next move, he explained. Mr Gill mentioned a few concerns, including ensuring the funding was in place.

Mr Cruson explained that the group had budgeted for this item, which he believes is upward of $10,000.

Mr Gill also sought reassurances that the walkway would not be damaged as the memorial was set in place. “They’ll have to cut through the sidewalk,” he said.

According to Mr Cruson, “Very little site work [must] be done.” He described a process of cutting through the stone and placing the “paver” into place. The piece is roughly three feet by three feet.

Mr Cruson envisions an improved and decorated walkway that can accommodate future commemorative pieces.

The areas around the benches now flanking the walkway will need to be expanded to accept double-sided granite seating, he explained.

“This will open up [the area] for the possibility of future memorial sculptures,” he said. He also pictures a space that can highlight future public art, he said.

“I want to offer any number of opportunities for groups who want to do something in the future for the town,” he said.

Decorating town hall with the memorial art is “fitting” said Mr Cruson.

“The bicentennial memorial is there, so it’s reasonable to put [the tercentennial memorial] there as well,” he said.