The City of Lebanon Bicentennial Celebration is set for Saturday, November 23, 2019. Event co-chairs Rick Bell, city historian and Kim Parks, Historic Lebanon executive director and the Bicentennial committee invite the community to enjoy a full day of activities.
“On November 23, we will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Lebanon’s city charter,” noted Mayor Ash. “Lebanon has a rich history, from the founding of our city to the WW II Maneuvers that took place here, Castle Heights Military Academy, Cumberland University, the Lebanon Woolen Mills, Martha Gaston Hospital and General Robert Hatton. There is so much more to remember and to celebrate. I hope you will take the time to visit our local museums and celebrate our great history with us.”
To start the day, local museums and historic sites will open 10:00 am to 4:00pm. These sites include the City of Lebanon Museum, 200 N. Castle Heights Ave, The CHMA Archives, N. Castle Heights Ave., The Fessenden House, 236 West Main, the Public Square, Pickett Chapel, 209 E Market Ave, the Wilson County Veteran’s Museum, 304 E. Main Street, and Fiddler’s Grove at the James E. Ward Ag Center, 945 E. Baddour Parkway. During this time, a local acting troupe will interpret historic figures on the Public Square in two performances, 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00pm.
Also, on the Public Square at 10:00 am, the new “Lebanon” mural will be unveiled at 135 Public Square.
At 1:00, a procession with the Lebanon High School Band and the Cumberland University band will begin at Immanuel Baptist Church and proceed down N. Castle Heights Ave to the Mitchell House, 106 N. Castle Heights Ave.
The Mitchell House will serve as the site of the official Bicentennial ceremony with remarks by Lebanon Mayor Bernie Ash and State Historian Dr. Carroll Van West. Also, on the schedule is a choir performance, time capsule dedication and light refreshments.
At 4:00 the celebration continues at the Wilson County Expo Center, 945 E Baddour Pkwy. Entertainment by local acts, One Way Out, Sweetn’3, Linwood Road, Vantrease Family Band, Jimmy Bowen and Santa Fe and Kason Lester is slated. Performances by Native American dancers and the Evermean Evergreen Cloggers are also planned.
Local history displays, games, a photo scavenger hunt, Nerdy Talk team trivia with bonus rounds on Lebanon history, souvenir photos, a local history book corner and bicentennial merchandise are all part of the celebration.
The history displays will include the TN Maneuvers, Wilson County Black History Committee, the Buchanan Photography Exhibit, a Lebanon Postcard Collection display, Antique Cars by Mid Tenn Region AACA, Paul McCartney’s time in Lebanon, Cracker Barrel and general Lebanon history. For more details visit www.lebanon200.com.