Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission Records - Mss 973 Cincinnati Museum Center Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission Records. 1893-1989 (bulk 1988-1989) Mss 973 Creator Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission (Author/Creator) Abstract This collection contains the records of the Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission, 1893-1992. It contains correspondence, brochures and posters, reports and financial records related to the commemoration. Quantity 152 boxes and 11 oversized folders (70 cubic feet) Date Span 1893-1989 (bulk 1988-1989) Call Number Mss 973 Repository Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45203, USA Scope and Content The collection relates to the activities of the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission primarily from 1984 to 1992. The collection consists of 152 boxes and 11 oversized folders of manuscript material including articles of incorporation, minutes, reports, correspondence, newspaper and periodical clippings, legal and financial records, printed works, posters, and architectural drawings. Series 1, Central Files was organized originally to provide access by all staff personnel to the files of a particular project, program or event of the bicentennial. As the work load escalated, individual staff persons began keeping their own files; following completion of a project they were told to merge their files into those of others in the central file. Unfortunately, that did not always happen -- so it is possible to find files pertaining to a particular subject scattered in the files of other staff members. The collection is arranged in series according to the original groupings created by the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission with the following exceptions. Non- manuscript materials have been removed from their original locations and housed separately. Oversized items have also been removed from their original location and housed separately. Artifacts have been transferred to the History Objects Department. Photographs, negatives, and audio and video tapes have been transferred to the Audio- Visual Department. General Ledgers of the Commission can be found in the office of Tall Stacks, Inc. Sidney Weil, Statutory Agent for the Bicentennial Commission can be reached at Beckman Weil Shepherdson and Faller. Historical/Biographical Information http://library.cincymuseum.org/ Page 1 of 111 Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission Records - Mss 973 Cincinnati Museum Center Cincinnati celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1988. Planning for the Bicentennial Commission began in July 1982, when a resolution introduced by Cincinnati Mayor David Mann passed Cincinnati City Council calling for establishment of an organization to commemorate the bicentennial of the city's establishment and to establish a permanent legacy of the observance, enhance Cincinnati's national image and attract visitors, and involve every citizen in programs which celebrate Cincinnati's rich and diverse heritage. In November 1982, Joseph S. Stern, Jr. was named chairman of the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission. During 1983, the Commission organized and received its first grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The City of Cincinnati also agreed to support the Commission's operating budget. In August the Commission initiated a search for an executive director. In November, the Commission appointed Richard J. Greiwe, a fifth generation Cincinnatian, to the position. At the same time, the Commission held a contest to select a logo for itself and selected intertwined 88's as the winning entry. Also in November 1983, the Commission incorporated as a non-profit corporation and selected Sidney Weil as vice chairman, William S. Rowe as treasurer, and J. Timothy Riker as secretary. In January 1984, the commission opened its offices in Room 138 of City Hall and initiated a campaign to attract ideas for legacy projects to celebrate the bicentennial. In March the Commission held its first news conference to announce 60 citizen legacy project ideas. A Legacy Committee was formed to evaluate the project ideas and the Commission agreed to support seven major "bricks and mortar" proposals to be considered for funding. The Commission also appointed Arts, Education, History, Community, River, Ethnic, Afro-American, and Downtown Events committees to develop program ideas. It appointed a Goals & Mission Committee to review the proposals. In May 1984 the Commission produced a slide program to show what other cities did during their bicentennials and to demonstrate the importance of Cincinnati's bicentennial as a civic catalyst. The Commission also produced a brochure, "Dreams Fit for a Queen," outlining the legacy projects to be distributed by Greiwe at hundreds of business and civic association meetings during 1985. It also conducted a survey to determine business and civic leaders' opinions regarding the legacy projects. In September the "Julia E. Langsam" lights on Suspension Bridge were lit for the first time during Riverfest. A Speakers Bureau was established in October to carry the message of the Commission to community groups and the first bicentennial newsletter was produced to inform committee members of the Commission's progress. In January 1985 the American Society of Landscape Architects announced a bicentennial gift to develop Eggleston Avenue. William Liggett was elected chairman of a Steering Committee to direct a fund-raising campaign. The Commission voted to sponsor completion of Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point as a focus for private sector fund-raising. The City of Cincinnati announced it was allocating $6 million to the project. In April, Procter & Gamble pledged $2 million to the Commission. In May the Commission approved designs for Bicentennial Commons making it a year-round facility with projects like a Boat House, including a family restaurant and Olympic training facility for rowers and skaters. The Hamilton County Commissioners and the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureaus both contributed towards the Commission's operating budget. In July, the Commission accepted plans and budgets for approximately 50 arts, education and community programs and began fund-raising for them. In October, the Commission produced an "Ideal Bicentennial Year" brochure for the fund-raising campaign which aimed to raise $14 million for Bicentennial Commons and $2 million for events and $800,000 for http://library.cincymuseum.org/ Page 2 of 111 Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission Records - Mss 973 Cincinnati Museum Center programs. Philip Taliaferro III was elected chairman of the Northern Kentucky Steering Committee and the committee selected Riverwalk as its focus for fund-raising. Meanwhile, the Commission began work on the graphic design system for the Commission, its corporate contributors, promotional materials, merchandise and venue design. The Commission organized a workshop for groups interested in downtown development and tourism to help create a "city identity" through use of signage, landscape design, streetscaping and visitor information services. During November, Hamilton County Commissioners agreed to put the Museum Center tax levy on the May 1986 ballot. The City Council and Planning Commission approved design plans for Eggleston Esplanade and committed funds for street improvements and landscaping. In January 1986, the Commission's "Invest in Our Third Century" advertisements began to appear in the Cincinnati Business Courier on a bi-weekly basis to highlight contributors to the Bicentennial Commission. A volunteer reception was held at the Cincinnati Historical Society to honor the more than 700 volunteers who had been serving on committees to structure arts, education and community programs. In March the State of Ohio announced an $8 million grant for the Museum Center and $4 million Division of Travel & Tourism grant for construction of a tram to connect Mt. Adams and downtown. The City of Cincinnati announced a $3 million grant for the Museum Center. Commission members worked actively on behalf of the Museum Center tax levy. In April ground breaking ceremonies were held for Bicentennial Commons. A competition was held to select a team to create a graphic design system for the Bicentennial. Also a Bicentennial Commons entrance sculpture competition was announced and invitations sent to 75 internationally known sculptors. In May the Museum Center tax levy passed ensuring renovation of the Union Terminal as one of the nation's most innovative museum complexes. A Bicentennial Design Collaborative from the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Art, Architecture & Planning was selected to develop the design standards guide. In August a competition was held to create an official bicentennial mascot. Cincinnatus was chosen the winner by public ballot. A survey describing possible community programs ideas was circulated and Community History Panels were selected as the preferred program. The railroad trestle was removed from the entrance to Bicentennial Commons clearing the way for the commissioning of an environmental entrance sculpture. In November the Birthday Book brochure was mailed to 7,000 small companies encouraging their support in funding elements of the City Identity Program. A video documentary "Flatboat to Towboat: Ohio River Tradition" produced as a Commission program won a CINE Golden Eagle Award. Six sculptors were commissioned to