CHICOPEE, 25th ANNIVERSARY
1915
CHICOPEE, MA
Celebration Committee invited school children to submit designs for official medal; first prize of $5 won by 14-year-old Nora Fitzgerald. It developed, however, that because of involved design dies would cost more than anticipated. A "cheaper model" was selected, per Type I below, but "so many people expressed" desire for Fitzgerald medal that "her friends had a few made which were taken up immediately." Both medals were struck by Whitehead & Hoag.
TYPE I--OFFICIAL MEDAL
Photos courtesy of John Dean
Obv. City Seal within circle; outside, around City of Chicopee Town 1848: City 1890.
Rev. Torch in center of ribbons and wreath; to l. an ribbon 1890, to r. on ribbon 1915; below all 25th Anniversary / Chicopee / Chicopee Falls / Willimansett / Fairview / Aldenville / North Chicopee; small wreath below; microscopic Whitehead & Hoag Co Newark N. J.
HK-663 Bronze. 38mm.
HK-663a Silver-plated Bronze
TYPE II--FITZGERALD DESIGN
Obv. Within circle are a bicycle, calipers, dividers, auto, plough and wheelbarrow all bearing names of various firms; outside, around • Twenty-fifth Anniversary and Old Home Week July 3, 4, 5-1890-1915
Rev. Within circle are various products (2 swords, cannon, bicycle, lathe, etc.; man on horseback above) and names of various firms; outside, above Industrial Chicopee; below Past and Present.
HK-664 Brass. 38mm.
HK-662 to HK-662a HK-665 to HK-665a