Celebrating the county’s birthday would include many activities.

WEST PARIS – Rick Taylor of the Donning Co. Publishers discussed with the Oxford County League of Historical Societies the possibility of producing a history of Oxford County in time for the bicentenary of the county in 2005. It was decided to form a committee to explore this possible project more fully.

The league met at the West Paris Historical Society on April 19 with President Bowman Sturtevant of the Hebron Historical Society in charge.

Larry Glatz of the Friends of C.A. Stephens suggested possible activities during 2005 in celebrating Oxford County’s 200th birthday. Among his suggestions were a re-enactment of the delivery of the county charter from Boston to Paris Hill, an antique auto, truck or tractor show, creation of a county quilt, publication of an Oxford County reader, an Oxford County “Explorer” contest, a golf tournament in each of the county’s five courses, creation of a “Molly Ockett Trail” brochure, a drive-about challenge tour to cover all 34 towns in the least amount of mileage, a school snowshoe event, a series of newspaper articles highlighting important persons, events or places in the county, a “So You Think You Know Oxford County” contest, and the creation of a Web site to keep the public informed about bicentennial events and programming.

The Bethel Historical Society is also expected to have an exhibit relating to the county’s history in 2005 as well as a lecture series on county history.

All the historical societies in attendance were urged to develop ideas and possible plans to make this a memorable celebration that would begin on March 4, 2005, the exact date when the charter arrived at the county seat in Paris.

Those wishing to discuss plans or propose ideas can contact the Oxford County Bicentennial, P.O. Box 172, Norway, ME 04268 or e-mail [email protected]