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Springfield To Throw 375th Birthday Bash

By Paul Tuthill

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-968642.mp3

Springfield, MA – Tomorrow ( Saturday) is Founder's Day in Springfield Massachusetts. The city is observing its 375th anniversary with a day-long celebration. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

Unlike many places in New England, Springfield's founding did not come about for reasons having to do with religious practices.. It was strictly business. Springfield's founding father, William Pynchon, established the settlement on the banks of the Connecticut River in 1636 to advance his fur-trading business
Guy McLain, the director of the Wood Museum of Springfield History, which has a special exhibit of documents from the time of Springfield's founding, including a rare copy of William Pynchon's book titled..the Meritorious Price of Our Redemption..Deemed inappropriate by the Puritan leaders of the day, it was the first book to be banned in North America. Copies were burned on the Boston Common.
Springfield was the fourth settlement in the Connecticut River valley in what was then the Connecticut Colony, but Springfield today is part of Massachusetts, not Connecticut, because of William Pynchon.
About thirty years after Springfield's founding, the fur trade dried up. There were wars with native Americans, and Springfield was burned to the ground. But, John Pynchon, William's son, stuck it out and rebuilt Springfield
Springfield will use the occasion of its 375th anniversary to throw a big party It begins with a pancake breakfast, served on rows of picnic tables set up along five blocks of downtown Main street. It is an annual event that started on Springfield's 350th birthday. There is a program in front of city hall, with speeches from officials, and songs from school choruses.. There will be a birthday cake at the city hall event. A big parade is planned with thousands of marchers. A prayer service will be held at St Michaels Cathedral. The festivities conclude with a jazz concert and fireworks at Blunt Park.
Judy Matt, president of the Spirit of Springfield, is the organizer of the big party.
Also , throughout the day, the Springfield Museums have scheduled special activities , and the Springfield Armory will have reenactments that include cannon firings.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno says the city's 375th anniversary is also a vehicle for self-promotion.

More information is available at Springfield375 dot org