Events/Project Management
Armory Memorial Park Dedication Day

The On Guard, the newspaper of the National Guard, May-June, 2002.

Armory Memorial Park was the first completed portion of the Peabody Essex Museum's $15 million expansion. The Park commemorates the birthplace of the United States National Guard (which traces its roots to the first militia muster on Salem Common in 1626) and more than 350 years of patriotic service to the nation by citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts. The Peabody Essex Museum hired Bonnie Hurd Smith to oversee the completion of the park's interpretive elements and to plan and execute its dedication.

On Saturday, May 4, 2002, Armory Park was dedicated with a day-long celebration of national proportion; 2,000 troops and dignitaries participated; over 5,000 attended.

Events included:

• Speeches and proclamations from dignitaries (including LTG Roger C. Schultz, Director, United States Army National Guard)
• Reenactment of the 1626 muster on Salem Common and the unveiling of the "First Muster" marker
• Parade of troops through Salem (troops and reenactors arranged by Mass. Army National Guard)
• Speeches at Armory Park and Dedication of the Park's Paul Revere Bell
• VIP luncheon
• Troops visit to Armory Park
• Afternoon concert on Salem Common by Mass. National Guard Band
• VIP late afternoon receptions
• Armory Park Ball

Tasks:

Working closely with the Peabody Essex Museum administration and the Massachusetts National Guard, we planned opening events and coordinated logistical details. Specifically, we:

• created and chaired the Armory Park Committee, comprised of representatives of the Mass. Army National Guard, the Second Corps Cadets, Salem's veteran's community and those of contiguous communities, the National Park Service, Essex National Heritage Commission, and Salem State College.

• created and chaired the Logistics Committee, comprised of representatives of the Mass. Army National Guard and Military Police, the Mayor of Salem's office, Salem Police, Salem Parks & Recreation, Salem Licensing Board, Salem Main Streets, Destination Salem, Salem Trolley, and Turner Construction

• worked with Essex County legislative delegation and community organizations to ensure their support and participation

• worked with historical societies and veterans agents in Essex County to complete the park's "Walkway of Heroes" that honors individuals and organizations who have served throughout 365 years of the county's history

• worked with the City of Salem and Historic Commission to install a new flag pole on Salem Common

• planned and executed a successful fundraising plan to pay for the event, including solicitation and fulfillment

• made dozens of appearances, with BG Albert A. Mangone of the Mass. Army National Guard, before civic groups throughout Essex County to promote the event and raise funds

• managed all administrative aspects of the project: correspondence, committee meeting minutes, responses to inquiries, fulfillment of invitations, reports, follow-up, etc.

• designed or coordinated with museum staff on collateral materials: logo, sponsor sheets, information fliers, poster, program book

• worked closely with Peabody Essex Museum staff (functions, media, marketing, administration) to ensure a coordinated and appropriate presentation