280 years ago, the Town of Douglas was written into existence out of the New Sherborn Grant. 30 years after that, the United States of America was written into existence out of British America. We’re hearing a lot about the “280th” and the “250th,” but I wanted to take a moment to reframe those numbers in human terms. A generation varies between 20 and 30 years, so let’s take the average and establish a “generation” as 25 years:
Taking that mathematical liberty, Douglas was formed 11.2 generations ago, and the U.S.A. was formed by their children 10 generations ago. 4 generations passed before the Civil War broke out, which was 6.6 generations ago. Almost 5 generations ago, the internal combustion engine was invented (and the Simon Fairfield Public Library was founded). Then we had the generations of the depression, world war, television, globalization, and internet.
All these generations have lived in very different worlds from us as well as from each other…despite the connection of living in the same town. But all of them were folk trying their best to find their place, find their people, and thrive as best they could. Just like us. If Douglas is a puzzle, it has taken many shapes over the years. But it’s pieces remain the same: you. And others like you. So I’m inviting you to express yourself and let us put the pieces together into something special: Douglas Undivided.
The way it works is simple: every person gets a puzzle piece. Whether you live here, go to school here, work here, come to book club here, or just happen to be visiting town, come to the Library and grab a piece. You can decorate it here with our supplies, or take it with you if you want to put more thought into it. Just bring it back before the end of 2026 and I will add it to the mural.
Email me at jsnook@cwmars.org if you want a bunch for your club, organization, church, business, etc., and I’ll prepare a display for you. We will also have them available before the 250th parade in front of the Library and after at Soldier’s Field.
Thanks for Reading,
Justin Snook