The Mass. Memories Road Show is a state-wide digital history project with the ambitious goal of visiting every Commonwealth community. On March 16, 2013, the MMRS will come to Lexington High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as a part of LexCelebrate! Incorporation Weekend, a Lexington 300^th Anniversary Celebration event.

“When you come, bring up to three photos that help tell your Lexington story. They can be old – new – yours – your family’s – as long as they are meaningful to you. The MMRS team will scan the photos and help you record your memories," Polly Kienle, Lexington's MMRS project coordinator, explains.

“We’ll fill a digital treasure chest, containing all our photos and texts to create a giant snapshot of our community. People can share the story behind their photos by making a video, having their own 'keepsake photo' taken, and getting advice from professionals on dating and caring for family photo collections," she continued.

Kienle is reaching out to community groups and individuals across town. She emphasizes that, “The MMRS is about more than documenting history – it’s a shared event that celebrates each person's family history and contribution to the community—whether they have lived there for generations or just moved to town. We want to bring Lexingtonians of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds together in one place at one time."

Jessie Steigerwald, Lexington 300^th Anniversary Celebration Committee member, explains: “MMRS was a perfect fit for Lexington– combined with our 300^th anniversary events, it provides a way to connect everyone in this busy town."  

“This project helps us celebrate and embrace the dramatic change in Lexington’s demographics. The MMRS will be a natural and important piece of our celebration, allowing all of our citizens to not only learn about history, but help create it,” Sue Rockwell, chair of the 300^th Committee, points out.

The Mass. Memories Road Show is a keystone program on LexCelebrate! Incorporation Weekend.

“During the weekend of March 16^th and 17^th, the town is invited to uncover the origins of our community, and the ways we have branched out and grown into a vibrant, diverse place since 1713” says Betty Gau, co-chair of the LexCelebrate! Committee. “MMRS is an active, participatory adventure we can all share.”

The MMRS is based in the University Archives & Special Collections at the Joseph P. Healey Library, UMass Boston and is co-sponsored by Mass Humanities. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/TBEfF5.

The Lexington 300^th Anniversary Celebration website provides more information: http://www.lexington300.org. Address questions to project coordinator Polly Kienle: polly.lex300@gmail.com.