On the evening of the eighteenth of August, nineteen hundred and twenty -three, as part of the bi-centennial celebration there was staged a pageant entitled “Hampton, Yesterday and Today.” The pageant portrayed the first settling and later development of this section of Windham County. The first two episodes illustrated the hardship experienced by the Pioneers in conquering the wilderness, the climate and the Indians. The third episode dealt with the Revolutionary period, and the fourth showed the dress and pleasures of 1830. The fifth and last episode illustrated allegorically the present day interests.

Through the kindness of Mrs. Frederick W. Davis the pageant was given on her lawn, which provided a beautiful background of trees and shrubs, with the chapel showing through them. A high screen of boughs extending from the chapel to the front of the stage formed a splendid entrance from which issued the players and dancers.

The lighting effects were produced by properly placed automobiles which focused their headlights upon the stage, while a spotlight with colored screens was thrown upon individual features. The music throughout the evening was furnished by piano, violin and cornet, which with the artistic costuming made the dancing most effective. The entertainment was opened with a spoken prelude by Rev. A. Avery Gates and each episode was announced by the Herald of the Pageant, Roger Wolcott Davis, Esq. (Some of the main characters were Mrs. Maude Hyde Grant, J. A. Estabrooks, Mrs. Arthur Pearl, Mrs. Annie Edmond, Mrs. Jessie Burnham, Mrs. Albert Hoffman, Mrs. James L. Goodwin, Miss Mildred Burnham).

The Spirit of the Wilderness, costumed in shades of green and silver, with flowing hair, danced in speaking – “This is our earth, most friendly earth and fair. This is our home. Oh birds and trees and flowers. Here are the voices of the wondering winds and here the sun sets, quietly at eventide…”

Finale – Characters of all the episodes were grouped in a large semi-circle at the rear of the stage – Indians, Pioneers, Revolutionary and 1830 period, with Trees, Rivers, Mist Maidens, Daisies, Roses and Butterflies interspersed. The Herald announced each interest as they appeared in the center of the stage. First the Spirit of the Church in Cassock and carrying the white silk Church flag with its gold cross taking position on one side. Next came the Spirit of the State in classic costume, bracing the flag of Connecticut and taking position opposite the spirit of the Church. Then in order came the Spirit of the Town in white and wildflowers; the Spirit of Community in white; Spirit of the Grange bearing insignia; Spirit of Art with palette and brushes; Spirit of Farm in straw hat and overalls carrying a hoe and sheaf of corn; the Spirit of Education in cap and gown; the Spirit of Welfare as a Red Cross Nurse; the Spirit of Drama in filmy stage costume; the Spirit of Music bearing a lyre; the Spirit of Play in appropriate costume. These characters saluted the flags and alternately took places to form a small half circle about the Spirit of the Church and Spirit of State. The Spirit of Patriotism next announced, came to the center of the front costumed in white with blue stars and red stripes saying as she advanced: “In strength, in power with loyalty…The child, Hampton has grown…America all else above: America, beloved America .”

As these last lines were given, America, impersonated in red, white and blue costume and carrying a large National flag, marched to the center, followed by six veterans of the World War in uniforms of all branches of the service. The spirit of Patriotism unfurled the flag between herself and America. The War Veterans stood at rigid salute. All the others on the stage waved small American Flags and sang, as the Hampton Ladies Band played the “Star Spangled Banner” as a finale.

The final tableau holding pose, one hundred and fifty participants, before an audience of over six hundred people, who, having remained intensely interested spectators continuously for an hour and a half, slowly dispersed.

Mrs. J. W. Cartwright from “Hampton Remembers”