LYNN — The Historical Commission met Tuesday evening, slowly officializing itself with bylaw reviews but also discussing a potential 400-year celebration for 2029.
At Paul O’Leary’s first Historical Commission meeting as chair, one task immediately rose to the top of the agenda: reviewing and finalizing the Commission’s bylaws.
“The Commission had never had a set of by-laws or basic operating principles,” O’Leary explained.
To fill that gap, the Commission had been working closely with member Adam Donachie and his wife to draft the document from the ground up. The proposed bylaws were then submitted to the city’s attorneys for review.
After examining the draft, the commission voted unanimously to return the bylaws to the city attorney for a final review before moving forward.
Also in attendance was Jean-Marie Minton, the newly appointed president of the Friends of the Board of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum, the organization that fundraises to support the GAR. Minton raised the idea of planning for the city’s 400th anniversary, noting that although formal discussions are only just getting underway, the opportunity remains significant.
“I thought, wow, we’re coming up on a big anniversary here in 2029, and I learned quickly that I was the only one who was talking about it,” Minton said. She acknowledged the city would be behind in planning but emphasized that meaningful preparation is still achievable.
Minton stressed that a successful anniversary celebration would need to be a broad, community-driven effort rather than solely a city-led initiative. She described the vision as a partnership between municipal leadership, local arts organizations, and businesses, saying, “It is really a major collaborative effort.”
She added that while the city can play a leadership role, the responsibility ultimately belongs to residents and local leaders working together to secure funding, generate interest, and build momentum. Minton likened that process to creating something collective and meaningful, calling it “sort of to make a beautiful quilt… a quilt from the city of Lynn.”
Drawing on Lynn’s history, she noted that the city was built by skilled, hands-on workers and believes that same spirit still exists today. According to Minton, many residents are eager to showcase their city and its heritage, and the key challenge now is awareness and coordination.
“There are a lot of opportunities for Lynn to really shine, to really be an example of how we celebrate the past, the present, and the future,” she said.
To join this ongoing conversation of celebrating Lynn 400, residents may contact Minton at 617-751-0312.
