American bicentennial collection, 1973-1977
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: A variety of materials relating to Nashville and Tennessee celebrations of the American Revolution Bicentennial, compiled and collected by staff of the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library. Materials span from ca. 1973 to 1977. Nashville newspaper clippings comprise approximately one half of the collection. A small quantity of material consists of items related to specific activities and initiatives undertaken at the local level in Nashville or the Middle Tennessee region, or statewide activities and promotions. A number of special periodicals are included in the collection, mostly produced for a nationwide audience. These include issues of the "Bicentennial Times" produced by the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA); "American Issues" produced by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH); and a number of issues of "Common Sense" newspaper, produced by the Peoples Bicentennial Commission. The latter organization is of particular interest because of its overtly political nature, invoking the observance of the American bicentennial as an opportunity for Americans to reexamine the causes and principles of the Revolution. The PBC's newspapers make frequent claims that modern wealth, "big business" corporations, and capitalism represent the new "King George" and "tyranny" which hold ordinary Americans captive through economic inequality.

Cite as: American Bicentennial Collection, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Nashville Public Library does not have intellectual property rights to these materials. This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

Intentionally assembled by staff of the Special Collections Division;,ca. 1976.,Acc. RT-175

Associated Materials: The Tennessee American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Records (Record Group 57) are held by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Related Materials: A small quantity of material concerning the 1976 reenactment of the Donelson-Robertson voyage to settle Nashville, part of local commemorative efforts during the American Bicentennial year, can be found in the Series III. History portion of the Tennessee Ephemera Subject Files in the holdings of the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library.

In English.

Collected by staff of the Special Collections Division of the Nashville Public Library during the years of bicentennial events and planning, 1973-1976.

process;,2017;,Linda Barnickel

No further accruals are expected