In January three hundred years ago the residents of Windham were preparing to go to the General Assembly with their vote of town meeting to petition for a division of the town. It was not until October 1701, however, that they actually presented their request to the Assembly, which then ratified and confirmed the agreement between the residents north and south of the Natchaug River. And the next spring, on 26 May 1702, the Assembly formally granted the request of the residents, subject to certain conditions, and gave the two towns their names of Windham and Mansfield. But it was not until 13 May 1703 that the General Assembly ordered the two towns to be incorporated and to receive patents. Mansfield's patent was issued on 20 October 1703.
The Town Council appointed a steering committee three years ago to make plans for the celebration of the 300 th anniversary of these events and we have been meeting regularly ever since. The committee is planning a varied program extending from Memorial Day 2002 until 20 October 2003. While it is still too early to announce any details of the program, we hope to provide town-wide events that will appeal to every resident: parades, concerts, fireworks, a Homecoming Day, encampments, a ball, and on and on. We have a fundraising committee and a publicity committee who are gearing up for action when needed. We have already held a logo contest, the results of which will be announced in the next Mansfield Record.
At the present time we are working on the naming of neighborhood representatives who will lead their neighbors in local celebrations as well as advise the steering committee on its activities. It is our hope that through them every Mansfield citizen will feel the import of this event and will take part in its celebration. A number of members of this society have agreed to serve in this capacity and, for the committee, I express our thanks to them.
Fred A. Cazel, Jr.
Chairman, Steering Committee