250 Years and Counting

Toni Dattola on horseback presents the
Town Charter to Postmaster Ann Wentworth.

Newport, NH, celebrated its semi-quincentennial in October with a special pictorial cancellation. A visit from Governor John Lynch, barn dancing and a cake-eating contest contributed to an outsized milestone celebration with a small-town feel.

At the conclusion of a dance skit performed to the song “Mr. Postman," a rider on horseback delivered  the town charter to Postmaster Ann Wentworth. 

"I announced that 250 years ago, the mail would have arrived by horse or stage," said Wentworth, "so I delivered the town charter which was then read aloud by 'town cryer' Dan Cherry."