Lee: The Centennial Celebration and Centennial History of the Town of Lee, Mass. E-book. Formato PDF - 9780259635192

The idea of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the incorporation of Lee, so far as is known, originated with the late Rev. Nahum Gale, D.D., pastor of the Congregational church, who said, with his characteristic humor, to the editor of The Gleaner, "In 1877 occurs the Centennial of Lee, and you must show for it." The editor obeyed the injunction of his pastor, and the subject was duly ventilated in the village paper. As this is an era of Centennials, it was not difficult to create a public sentiment in favor of this local celebration, though, we are sorry to add, the author of the idea did not live to participate in the social Reunion of the town of Lee, which he had anticipated with so much pleasure, and of which, had his life been spared, he would have been the soul. It is due to Doctor Gale to say, that the enterprise was carried through substantially in the manner in which he blocked it out, when he first made the suggestion.

At the annual town meeting held in Lee, April 3, 1876, the following vote was passed on the article in the warrant: "To see what action the town will take with reference to the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town." "Voted, that the town celebrate its Centennial in an appropriate manner, and that a Committee of Thirteen be appointed to make all necessary arrangements to carry this vote into effect."