Committee on the Observance of the Nation's Bicentennial. Records

Identity elements

Reference code

GC-02-R0129

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Fonds

Title

Committee on the Observance of the Nation's Bicentennial. Records

Date(s)

  • 1973-1976 (Creation)

Extent

1.5 cu.ft. (2 boxes and 2 phonograph records)

Name of creator

(1973-1976)

Administrative history

The Committee on the Observance of the Nation's Bicentennial was appointed by Presiding Bishop John E. Hines in May 1973. The Committee was established by Executive Council and funded by an appropriation from Trust Fund 779, the Julia A. Gallaher Memorial Fund.

The Bicentennial Committee, as it was often called, was formed to assist the Church in its participation in nationwide activities commemorating the bicentennial anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and more broadly of the founding of the United States of America as a nation and state. It directly initiated or cooperatively sponsored special issues of Anglican Theological Review and the Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church; a Church Bicentennial newsletter; a liturgy that was specially designed for the three phases of celebration; a curriculum aid for religious education; a filmstrip set; and a 16 mm moving picture film. In addition, the Committee was responsible for special programming for the General Convention 1976.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The committee’s records reflect the work done to create a vehicle for crafting projects and resources for parishes to celebrate the role of religion in marking the country’s bicentennial of independence. Records were also generated by two subcommittees of the Bicentennial Committee: Budget and “Forward Look”, to define future directions for the Church, especially in relation to the Bicentennial theme, "liberty and justice for all.” The latter committee met in 1975 and was chaired by Hodding Carter III. The committee’s records show their full engagement in a planning agenda. Emphasis was given to a special issue Anglican Theological Review (55:1) and the plans for the General Convention program and exhibit. Other publications relating to the Bicentennial are present, including writings on the topic by Presiding Bishop John Allin.

System of arrangement

Administrative Records of the Bicentennial Committee, 1973-1976
Subcommittee Records of the Bicentennial Committee, 1974-1976
Project Files of the Bicentennial Committee, 1972-1976
Bicentennial Committee Relations with Non-Episcopal Groups, 1972-1976
Collected Publications in re: the Bicentennial, 1975-1977
General Correspondence, 1972-1977
Bicentennial Exhibit from the Archives of the Episcopal Church, 1976

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

Languages of the material

  • English

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