Then and Now: Celebrating the Town's 150th Anniversary

I keep on thinking I've come across the last of these long-ago press photos from Lynnfield, but they keep on coming. And this is another one of those images from the town's past that people should know about - especially with preparations underway for Lynnfield's 200th anniversary celebration next year.

Back in 1964, Lynnfield was celebrating its 150th anniversary - and one way it marked the occasion was apparently to have a couple of town residents run a copy of the Governor's proclamation marking the occasion from the State House in Boston down Route 1 to the Lynnfield Town Common. The whole thing reportedly took about 90 minutes and apparently took place on June 13th, 1964. This is also the first time I've come across any reference to this event at all.

These two local residents will likely be known to more than one person out there. The gentleman on the right with the glasses is Dick Weeks, running with Bob Dolbeare on the left.

Mr. Weeks actually showed up in this previous photo on Lynnfield Patch with other local veterans and students from the Memorial Day 2011 Parade. For his part, Mr. Dolbeare went on to become publisher of the Wakefield Daily Item and  Wakefield Chamber of Commerce president.

Looking ahead, the prospect of running down Route 1 today is a lot scarier and wheeze-inducing than it was that summer day 50 years ago. Who knows how exactly the town will mark its big anniversary this time around? It'll be here before we know it, as most things usually are.


Editor's Note: If you're interested in local history, consider joining the Lynnfield Historical Society.  Just send a $15 check to Bob Gillon, Lynnfield Historical Society Treasurer, 300 Main Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940. Include your mailing address, email address and phone number.