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50th Anniversary Chair and Publications Director Mike Prescott shares the BSRA's history through a digital slideshow during the Anniversary Meeting.
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50th Anniversary Meeting
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Our 50th Anniversary Year

by Michael R. Prescott, 50th Anniversary Committee Chairman
(Originally published in Rollsign, November/December 2009 Issue)
 

The "crown jewel" of the Association's golden anniversary year—the Fiftieth Anniversary Meeting—came next. While a high turnout was anticipated, a whopping 150 people turned out to celebrate this milestone, including representatives from many area rail nonprofit historical groups. Speeches by BSRA President Bradley H. Clarke, Publications Director and 50th Anniversary Committee Chair Michael R. Prescott, and Rollsign Director Daniel T. Lenihan provided histories of the Association. Founding members Paul and Dave Harling spoke about the Association's origins and early years, and along with fellow founders Paul Miglierina, Charlie Reynolds, Jr., and D. Robert McCarthy, they received plaques commemorating their role in the Association's formation. Next, noted historian Ed Anderson provided the crowd with a memorable slide show on public transit in Boston in 1959—the year our organization was founded. Then came a special presentation by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (RRE), represented by Leigh Webb, the grant donor, and Bill Crawford, Award Committee Chair, giving the BSRA the annual H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award—which donated $10,000 to the BSRA for the restoration of the flip-over seats in streetcar No. 5706. The evening was capped off with a commemorative cake and refreshments, and a social hour that offered many a chance to reconnect with old friends, and for several generations of local transit enthusiasts to mingle and share their own experiences.

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