Barrington begins 150th celebration Memorial Day weekend

The village of Barrington will celebrate the 150th year of its official incorporation on Feb. 16, 1865, with a Sesquicentennial Celebration in the year 2015 featuring a number of planned events over the next 18 months.

The first official event will kick off this Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25, with an Open House and History Road Show at Barrington's celebrated historical landmark, the "White House" at 145 W. Main Street. As a gift to the future of the community, the stately former Robertson family home is being repurposed and renovated into an elegant and highly functional community and cultural center. Barrington's White House will not only provide the opportunity for the community to give itself a very special 150th birthday present, but the finished product will embody all that the community has held dear for the last century and a half.

The White House Open House and History Road Show offer an opportunity for local residents to view the home as well as bring historic photographs, old letters, meeting minutes, directories, or other small memorabilia that reference Barrington's history. The memorabilia will be scanned and returned to its owners that day.

The Open House and Road Show hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 23, and noon-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25.

In addition, a number of other events are planned throughout 2015 to celebrate the Barrington's 150th Sesquicentennial.

The events kick off during the weekend of February 14-16, with "Happy 150th Birthday, Barrington" parties throughout the village. The Village Board will celebrate with cake and ice cream, while local merchants will feature birthday-themed offerings. Churches, schools and local organizations will take part in the celebration as well.

As the year of celebration progresses, historic walking tours throughout the village will be offered beginning Memorial Day Weekend 2015, with signage indicating significant buildings and landmarks in Barrington's past. The tours will continue all summer.

Barrington's Fourth of July week is always a major community event, and in 2015, the 150th celebration theme will carry the day. The Fourth of July parade will feature a Barrington history theme celebrating our past and our future, while following the parade the community will celebrate at the "Brat Tent" with a family-friendly, old-fashioned ice cream social.

During fall of 2015, the Sesquicentennial will feature other events including a Civil War Re-enactment as well as events at Barrington's annual Homecoming celebration, and more.

For more information on Barrington's 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration or the upcoming History Road Show, please contact 150th Committee chairman Debbie Villers at Deborah Villers dvillers@sbcglobal.net. Go to www.barrington150.org, where you can sign up to become a member of the email list or look for ways to get involved in the celebration.

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