New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Executive Director's Subject and Correspondence Files

Arranged roughly by director.

The New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission was created by Chapter 630 of the Laws of 1968 to provide for appropriate observances, ceremonies, and other activities to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the American Revolution. Chapter 939 of the Laws of 1971 expanded the commission's mandate to include the commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the creation of the State of New York.

Commission functions included planning, funding, and publicizing celebrations, reenactments, educational projects, and other activities or observances of bicentennial anniversary events related to the American Revolution and New York statehood. The commission also provided matching grant funds for local bicentennial events, projects, and activities; and sponsored, planned, and produced publications and films.

Staff of the State Education Department's Office of State History provided support for the commission. Dr. Louis Leonard Tucker, state historian, served as executive director until December 31, 1976. Dr. Thomas E. Felt served during the calendar year of 1977, and Richard S. Allen from 1978 until the commission ceased operations in September, 1979.

This series consists of subject and correspondence files created by the executive director's office of the New York American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Three executive directors served consecutively during the span of the commission (1969-1979): Louis Leonard Tucker, Thomas E. Felt, and Richard S. Allen.

Records include articles, histories, publications, illustrations, and background material about the American Revolution, particularly as related to the colony and state of New York; publications created by other state bicentennial agencies; correspondence with commission members, local and federal bicentennial commissions and historical organizations, and the general public; internal memoranda; biographies of commission members;

grant proposals submitted by local bicentennial commissions, libraries, historical societies, performing arts groups, and museums; press releases; contracts; budgetary and financial information; speeches; photographs and slides of reenactments, historic sites, and commission activities; essays; meeting minutes; committee information; audio tapes; histories; and other material created by, submitted to, or collected by the commission.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.