The 166-page Lowell Bicentennial Commemorative Book documents 200 years of City history, as well as the yearlong efforts to make the Bicentennial a truly unforgettable celebration. (Photo Courtesy City of Lowell)

LOWELL — The City of Lowell turned 200 years old with a birthday that lasted an entire year, and now a hardcover book and massive bronze plaque commemorating the celebrations have been unveiled.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the City of Lowell and the Bicentennial Fundraising Committee gathered to commemorate the yearlong effort with the unveiling of a 145 by 93 inch bronze Bicentennial commemoration plaque that was donated to the City.

The plaque now adorns the wall just inside the Merrimack Street entrance to City Hall to provide a permanent thank you to all of the approximately 60 donors who provided $1 million to make the Bicentennial more than just a one-off event.

Shortly afterward, donors and leaders of current and former Lowell government, business and non-profit partners gathered in Memorial Hall of the Pollard Memorial Library to receive copies of a hardcover book commemorating every detail of Lowell’s 200 years of history and the Bicentennial celebration.

The 166-page book, coordinated by former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos and Bridget Cooley, Director of the Pollard Memorial Library, includes photos of major events, success stories, letters and intimate details from Lowell’s growing and innovative history, as well as an unflinching look at the city’s early ties to the southern slave trade, displacement of Native Americans, and organized labor disputes.

City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. engaged Panagiotakos, Mike Kuenzler, and Shelagh Mahoney to spearhead the Bicentennial Fundraising Committee to organize a yearlong Bicentennial celebration. This idea for a year-long celebration came into being after the Manager was advised by the leader of another Gateway City not to hold a one-off event. That city leader tried a single event to commemorate his city’s birthday, and was deluged by four days of heavy rain.

Due in part to the vision of the Lowell City leadership and the generosity of the donors, the Bicentennial Fundraising Committee raised over $1 million dollars, and used those funds to bring Buddy Valastro to Winterfest, and for an extended fireworks display at LeLacheur Park for the 4th of July, a Non-Profit Appreciation Cookout, a Luncheon/Dance at the Senior Center, and the City of Lowell’s first-ever drone show for Monster Bash on Oct. 24th, as well as a dedication plaque for Private John Landry at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium Hall of Flags at the upcoming Veteran Event Nov. 10th. The Bicentennial Committee also provided funding to small businesses across the city to host smaller, intimate Bicentennial events all year long.

“They raised over $1 million, and the greatest part is that they gave it all back to the City,” said Mayor Erik Gitschier.

“The outcome was far more than what we ever thought it could be,” Mike Kuenzler said. “I am proud of the fact that every event we have held was free to the citizens of Lowell, and everything was funded by businesspeople.”

Panagiotakos thanked numerous donors, and singled out one in particular for being a Little League coach, umpire, groundskeeper, PA announcer and for joining with other Highlands neighborhood parents to found the Highlands Players, which raised over $500,000 over the years for local charities through SRO variety shows. The same individual also served a City Councilor, Mayor, and mentor.

Edward “Bud” Caulfield received a standing ovation from the community leaders present at the unveiling.

“To me, he epitomizes the helping hands and the willingness to get things done of so many Lowellians who I have met in my 60-plus years here,” said Panagiotakos.

Former City Councilor and Register of Deeds Richard Howe also spoke about the city’s history and the way it was incorporated into the commemorative book that he contributed to.

“I want to thank everyone who made this Bicentennial celebration possible. We had big ideas, and it turns out our donors had even bigger ones,” said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “This yearlong effort truly showed the generosity and creativity of the Lowell community, and I am proud to call this city home.”

“This Bicentennial celebration enabled us to honor our past, strengthen our present and bring hope to our future, because you can’t truly appreciate where you are or where you’re going unless you really understand where you’ve been,” said Panagiotakos. “This Bicentennial Commemorative Book will help present-day Lowellians and future generations of Lowell residents with that special and much-needed understanding.”

Copies of the Bicentennial book will be donated to the Pollard Library, UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College and Lowell Public Schools libraries across the city.

To learn more about Lowell’s Bicentennial and see a full list of events, visit lowellma200.org.

Former state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos speaks to those gathered for the unveiling. (Photo Courtesy City of Lowell)