A small team of Pointers is compiling and editing an anthology for the city’s bicentennial in 2027.
Plans call for the January release of the book to help kick off a year-long celebration.
“From our earliest discussions, we felt it should be a ‘keepsake book,’ a mix of solid history and family stories, personal accounts, with photos, recipes, poetry and anything else that would illustrate the way we’ve moved through the years since 1827,” said Frank Beaman, one of the project’s team. “We invited anyone and everyone to share those stories by sending contributions to me, and to the Chamber. We’ve had some wonderful stories come in, and we are still accepting additions.”
Submissions can be sent to mineralpointbicentennial@gmail.com
“Our chief work right now is targeted interviews with our neighbors to flesh out our colloquial histories,” said Beaman, who with his wife Sandee is doing the interviews.
Mineral Point native and history buff Ron Dunbar is sharing his vast historical collection, and Justin O’Brian uses his printer’s skills to get words and images on the page.
“At the Library Archives, Shan Thomas and Joel Gosse are pitching in to check facts and dig up historic additions,” Beaman said. “Our hope is to carry out our earliest idea: that the book should be all about our ‘milestones, memories and magic.’ We think the town deserves no less, and we’d like to thank so many who are helping us tell this important story.”
The books are expected back from the printer by Jan. 1.
“We plan a book launch at the Opera House with folks reading their stories on the stage in March,” he said.
Organizers plan a bicentennial celebration that includes monthly events, some built around existing events such as the Tour of Homes and July 4.
Adding to the decorations downtown will be banners saluting Mineral Point families, similar to graduate banners.
Churches, community civic groups and students are among those who will help bring the celebration to life. Any group, business or organization is welcome to join in helping with or creating an event. Email mineralpointbicentennial@gmail.com with ideas.
A Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/MineralPointBicentennial and
the Chamber website has a bicentennial page at https://www.mineralpoint.com/bicentennial-celebrations The next planning meeting will be May 18 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.