Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
Some would say Brookeville is very similar to the town incorporated 200 years ago. Others would say the steady stream of traffic along Route 97, which bisects the community, is evidence two centuries have passed.
About 60 residents and guests of the Town of Brookeville gathered at the Brookeville Academy on Sunday to celebrate the bicentennial of the town's incorporation.
Commissioner Katherine Farquhar described the event as a "delightful success."
The afternoon began with the Sullivan Brothers Assembly of the Knights of Columbus performing a flag ceremony and leading the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The Knights presented Brookeville Commission President Michael Acierno with a plaque commemorating the incorporation and Brookeville citizens' courage in harboring President James Madison when he sought refuge there on Aug. 26, 1814, as British troops were burning Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812.
Josh Russin, a legislative coordinator representing Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D), read a proclamation saluting Brookeville on the anniversary.
State Del. Karen Montgomery (D-Dist. 14) of Brookeville then read a Maryland Senate resolution, sponsored by State Sen. Rona E. Kramer (D-Dist. 14) of Olney, extending congratulations and best wishes to the town.
The three commissioners — Acierno, Farquhar and Robert Heritage — participated in a brief re-enactment of the Legislative Act of 1808 that instructed Thomas Moore and others to serve as commissioners for the new town and lay out the lots, streets, lanes and alleys.
Montgomery read from the act to symbolically instruct the three on their responsibilities, and they accepted the charge.
Although today's commissioners receive no compensation, they learned from the original document that commissioners should receive a payment of $2 per day for performing certain responsibilities for the town.
Heritage then led a group of 35 people on a walking tour that highlighted most of Brookeville's oldest structures and reminded residents of the lots, streets, lanes and alleys set out 200 years ago.
The town then hosted an old-fashioned potluck picnic, with entertainment provided by the Rocketeria store in Olney.
The commissioners also used the opportunity to encourage the town's green initiative by distributing county-provided compost bins and resident Deborah Wagner shared a sample of her compost.
"A wonderful time was had by all — it really was terrific," Farquhar said.
The event was sponsored by the town and organized by Clerk Cate McDonald and Brookeville Academy Manager Andrea Scanlon, in coordination with a committee chaired by Farquhar.
The town plans to celebrate its incorporation each August, leading up to a much bigger event in August 2014, when the town will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Madison's visit, the day it served as the nation's capital.
