Excerpt from Proceedings and Addresses Commemorative of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Lexington: 1713-1913

Lexington was incorporated on the twentieth of March, 1712, Old Style (glst March 1713 New Style), previous to which date it had been, from its first settle ment, a part of Cambridge. The better to enjoy the anniversary exercises out of doors when the landscape and the weather are most beautiful in our town, the celebration was assigned to June instead of the actual date of incorporation.

The weather during the three days, June eighth, ninth and tenth, was all that could be desired and the highways, byways and private grounds presented a most attractive appearance.

Public and private buildings, particularly along the main avenues of travel, were attractively and lavishly decorated with colored buntings, flags and emblems. The illumination of the Common by colored electric lights and the effect of these lights upon the foliage and the minute-man gave to this sanctified spot the appearance of a beautiful fairy-land by night. Two thou sand colored incandescent lamps bordered the Green, formed festoons upon the flag staff and illuminated the spire of the First Parish Church. The word wel come, made of incandescent lights in large letters approximately two feet in height, was suspended over Massachusetts Avenue at the junction of Woburn Street, the same again at Parker Street and at the junction of Waltham and Middle Streets. The illumination was admired and enjoyed by the residents of Lexington generally and by thousands of the mostorderly people from beyond our borders until all avail able space about the Common and adjacent streets was crowded to the limit by automobiles and teams.

Quite a part of this beautiful display was due to the extraordinary resources of the committee in charge.

One of the most unique and ideal features of the entire celebration and ever-to-be-remembered by all who heard and witnessed it was the early morning singing on Tuesday by a double male quartette and, more particularly, the singing by the school children on the Common.

The principal spectacular event was the military parade and dress parade on Tuesday, reviewed by the Governor and distinguished guests. Three hundred and thirty-eight men in Colonial uniforms, represent ing nine different organizations of New England, participated. It was appropriate to the town's honor able history and very graciously did these men per form their parts, the Lexington minute-men acting as hosts. Much praise is due the Lexington Minute Men and their officers for this successful feature of the celebration.

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