In celebration of Constitution Week, the Old Concord Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution have a display on the U.S. Constitution for the month of September at the Fowler library and at the Concord Free Library in the hallway leading to the children’s area. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, on August 2, 1956, signed into law September 17-23 to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. September 17 was chosen as the start of Constitution Week since it is the anniversary of the delegates signing the Constitution in 1787.
The display in both Concord libraries includes Howard Chandler Christy’s painting of the signing of the Constitution. The Fowler library branch also includes pictures of the 39 delegates who signed the Constitution. The Connecticut Compromise that broke the deadlock at the Constitution Convention, presented by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, is discussed, as well as the Electoral College map based on the compromise. The display at Fowler also contains a Lego display depicting delegates in discussion and notes from Thomas Jefferson’s letters to James Madison on a need for a Bill of Rights written while Jefferson was in France as the ambassador.
Old Concord Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is also providing libraries in the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord (Main & Fowler), Littleton, Maynard, and Stow with bookmarks printed with the Preamble to the Constitution for patrons (particularly children) starting on September 17. For more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution, contact Janine Penfield Regent, Old Concord Chapter, at oldconcordregent@gmail.com
