| AdminHistory | The Centenary Celebrations Committee was appointed on 15 September 1937 to consider proposals for the funding and organisation of the celebrations that would mark the centenary of the granting of the Charter of Incorporation on 31 October 1838 that conferred borough status on the town of Birmingham. The festivities and events were to last throughout July 1938, and continued into the autumn. Aside from the commemorative pageant at Aston Hall 'illustrative of the continuous history of Birmingham' and a corresponding royal visit, the celebrations were similar to those of the recent coronation of George VI (see BCC/1/CH Coronation Celebration Committee), of which it was decided the authority would augment the costs with a remuneration to the Lord Mayor for the year 1938 to the sum of £10,000.
The sub-committee also proposed that special exhibitions be co-ordinated by the City Museum and Art Gallery to mark the centenary, one focusing on Birmingham's historical development since the granting of the charter to take place during the July celebrations, and another larger exhibition later in the year, opening on Charter Day, 31 October 1938. The Centenary Celebrations Committee only appears to have met twice prior to the commemoration, once on the 15 September 1937, and again on 15 November 1937. The Centenary Celebrations Committee met one last time on 13 January 1939 to wrap up any other business, after which the committee and its sub-committees were disbanded. |