Historic Hood River
Bicentennial Minute
Notes
This red, white and blue painted shovel is Grace’s pick for this Monday’s artifact. If you were alive in 1976 you’ll remember everything was red, white and blue to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. There were “Bicentennial Minutes” on television where you could learn a tidbit about the American Revolution, there was special bicentennial coinage, and if you happen to have been at the July 1976 groundbreaking for the History Museum of Hood River County building down at the waterfront, you would have seen this bicentennial themed shovel move a little dirt. The building has been remodeled a couple of times in the past 50 years, but it will be reopening with a new exhibit linked to the America 250 celebration the evening of March 6.
Were you in Hood River for the Bicentennial celebrations? What details can you share?
Melody Shellman
I remember that May Street Elementary School buried a time capsule that year. I was pretty young. I remember standing in a crowd of students on a sunny day listening to Mr. Schilling talk. The time capsule was buried next to a tree on the northeast side of the campus, but I don’t know what happened to it since.
Kalley
My great Uncle Lew Merz and his wife Janice were very involved in the building of the museum. They were around of their contribution to preserve our history.
Kalley
I should say that they were proud of their contribution! LOL
Arthur Babitz
The famous SNL “Bassomatic” commercial featured a red white and blue “Bassomatic 76”.