A year-long event designed to celebrate Barrington's 300th anniversary will kick off on Saturday, March 18 at a special preview party.

The event, which will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m., is open to the public and will be held at the McCulloch Center for the Arts at St. Andrew's School. It will include a display of images from the new book "Barrington", which was written by the Barrington Preservation Society. There will also be music, wine and other beverages, and appetizers.

"Barrington 300 is a citizens committee organized to celebrate 300 years of Barrington's history and progress," said longtime resident and Barrington 300 committee member Bonnie Warren. "Our town is constantly re-inventing itself. It began as a rural Congregational outpost of western Baptist Swanzey, Massachusetts, in 1717;  Then it was incorporated as part of Warren, Rhode Island in 1746-47; then it was re-incorporated in 1770 as Barrington, Rhode Island, primarily as a result of no bridges and difficult transportation problems. Barrington became the 'breadbasket' for Warren merchants and there was little growth."

A group of volunteers has been meeting regularly and working hard to organize a full calendar of events to celebrate the town's 300th anniversary. 

Some of the events planned are a Picnic Pow Wow at Haines Park; a town wide heritage weekend, summer beach concerts, and a Barrington 300 gala event at Rhode Island Country Club in October. 

The actual 300th birthday party will be held at the town hall on Saturday, Nov. 18.

According to the Barrington 300 group, the town was founded in 1717 rather than 1770 as shown on the signs at the entrances to town — 1770 was, in fact, the date of Barrington's refounding after 23 years as part of Warren. 

"The Town Calendar for 2017 displays the portrait of Viscount John Shute Barrington, for whom our town was named," stated a press release. "Lord Barrington was a powerful English politician and theologian, and the brother of Samuel Shute, Governor of Massachusetts. The calendar cover also includes a transcript of the November 18th, 1717, creation of 'Barrington' by the Massachusetts House of Representatives."

After local historians discovered that Barrington's founding date was actually 1717, a group of volunteers went to work planning a tricentennial. In Aug. 2016, Barrington 300 was officially made a town administrative committee and charged with creating a calendar of event. There are approximately 50 volunteers helping with the effort.

"This represents a unique opportunity to unite our community through the celebration of its 300-year history with many town-wide activities," stated the release. "2017 promises to be an exciting year for Barrington. It offers a great opportunity for the community to learn about Barrington's heritage and participate in this Tricentennial Celebration!"

Preview party details

• When: Saturday, March 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

• Where: McCulloch Center for the Arts, St. Andrew’s School

• Tickets: $35 per person (send to  Town of Barrington, PO Box 262, Barrington, RI 02806 — memo line should include "Barrington 300")

• More information: Visit barrington.ri.gov

Calendar of Events

• Barrington 300 Preview Party; Saturday, March 18

• East Bay Roots: Finding your Family in Barrington and Beyond - A FREE Workshop; Saturday, April 29

• Timeline Exhibit, Barrington Library, 1st Floor; Monday, May 1 - Friday, Sept. 1

• Memorial Day Parade, County Road; Monday, May 29,

• Town Arts Festival, Town Hall Lawn; Sunday, June 11

• Heritage Weekend #1 - Townwide; Saturday, June 17 - Sunday, June 18

• Door and Window Box Contest - Townwide; Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, July 8

• Bicycle Tour - Townwide; Saturday, July 22

• Beach Concerts - Barrington Town Beach; July 2017

• Townwide 24-hour Photo Contest; Saturday, Aug. 5

• Picnic, Pow Wow & Plummage in the Park:  Norman Bird Sanctuary & Eastern Medicine Singers - Haines Park; Saturday, Aug. 12

• Beach Concerts - Barrington Town Beach; Aug. 2017

• Sidewalk Sale - Townwide; Saturday, Sept. 16

• Heritage Weekend #2 - Townwide; September

• Moonlight Tour - Sowams Woods; Wednesday, Oct. 4

• Barrington 300 Gala; Saturday, Oct. 21

• “Future of Barrington” Forum - Town Hall; Wednesday, Nov. 1

• 300th Birthday Party - Town Hall; Saturday, Nov. 18