Reflecting on Quincy’s 300th Anniversary Project: A History of Collaboration
- mdaponte
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Mirage Design was thrilled to partner with the City of Quincy, Massachusetts, to create an exhibit that celebrated the city’s rich history and the spirit of collaboration that defined the 1925 300th anniversary. This historic event was more than just a celebration; it symbolized the city’s deep pride, unity, and legacy. The exhibit, showcased in the museum room at Quincy City Hall, offered a captivating look at Quincy’s past as part of the lead-up to its 400th anniversary in 2025.
While we were eager to contribute to such a meaningful project, we faced a significant challenge: a tight timeline. With less than a month to bring the exhibit to life, we had to quickly move through conceptualizing visuals, designing, creating proofs, printing, and installing everything in time for the public unveiling.
In the end, the process underscored an important lesson—when collaborators share a common vision, extraordinary outcomes are possible.
Partnering with the City Historian
At the core of the exhibit was a meaningful partnership with Quincy’s city historian. Collaborating with someone so intimately connected to the city’s past was invaluable. The historian provided rich text that uncovered key moments, personal stories, and rare photographs from the 1925 celebration. These elements became the foundation of our design, ensuring both historical accuracy and visual engagement.
Partnering with the Right Fabricator
Creating an exhibit from scratch with a tight timeline is no easy feat. But with the right fabricator, we gained a true partner who helped us avoid potential pitfalls early on. Our fabricator joined the project from the outset, conducting careful measurements, assessing the walls the pieces would be mounted on, and evaluating the lighting. Their insights allowed us to make important adjustments that enhanced the exhibit’s overall impact. They weren’t just handed the final files—they were integral collaborators throughout the entire process.
The Vision Behind the Exhibit
The 300th anniversary of Quincy in 1925 wasn’t just a milestone—it was a grand cultural celebration that unified the entire city. The community came together for a massive parade with over 10,000 participants, a three-hour pageant, and various other festive events. Our goal was to not only highlight the historical importance of this event but to capture the pride and collaborative spirit that defined Quincy during this extraordinary time.
At Mirage Design, we worked with the historian and fabricator to create an exhibit that was both educational and immersive—one that transported visitors back to the excitement, energy, and unity that filled Quincy in 1925. We wanted visitors to feel the pulse of that celebration, not just learn about it.
Drawing inspiration from the visual aesthetics of the era, we carefully selected a color palette that reflected the vibrant hues of the 1920s, such as deep blues, golden yellows, and bold orange-reds. The typography, too, was reflective of the time, incorporating typefaces reminiscent of turn-of-the-century newsprint and Art Nouveau designs.
Filling the Museum Room at Quincy City Hall
The museum room at Quincy City Hall provided an ideal space for this exhibit. The large, open room allowed us to create an immersive experience that engaged visitors from all angles. We filled the space with a variety of elements, including large image-wrapped walls featuring vintage photographs and text panels that described the significance of the 1925 celebration.
The team divided the exhibit into distinct sections, each telling a different part of the story. One section focused on Quincy at the time, setting the stage for the 300th anniversary. Another highlighted the 1925 celebration, with displays about the grand parade, the pageant, and the key figures involved. A third section explored the lasting legacy of the celebration, examining how it shaped Quincy’s future and how the spirit of unity and pride still resonates today.
Throughout the exhibit, we used a mix of photographs, artifacts, and graphics to bring the story to life. Many of the historic images had never been displayed before, and we had the opportunity to digitize and enlarge them to enhance the experience. Each image was paired with a text panel that provided context and helped visitors understand the significance of the event and its impact on the city.
The Power of Community Collaboration
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing how the exhibit reflected Quincy’s strong sense of community. Working closely with the city historian and the staff at Quincy City Hall, we quickly realized the importance of involving local residents in preserving and celebrating their history.
By incorporating artifacts from families and businesses that were part of the 1925 celebration, we added a personal, local touch to the exhibit. This collaborative effort not only enriched the experience but also brought the exhibit to life in ways we couldn’t have achieved on our own.
We also learned that the 1925 celebration was much more than a party—it was a collective effort driven by local leaders, businesses, and citizens from all walks of life. Our design aimed to capture this sense of community pride and demonstrate how Quincy’s people played an essential role in bringing the event to life.
Key Lessons Learned from Designing the Quincy 300th Anniversary Exhibit
Through this project, we gained invaluable insights that will inform our future work. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Collaboration is Key: Working closely with the historian and the fabricator (even on preparation & installation) ensured the exhibit was not only historically accurate but well put together. In the end the project cleaner and far more impactful when starting with a team that shared the same vision.
Design with the Audience in Mind: Engaging visitors is essential. By considering how the visitors would view the exhibit and visual storytelling, we were able to captivate a range of visitors—from history enthusiasts to those simply curious about Quincy’s past.
Celebrate Local Pride: A great exhibit does more than present facts—it celebrates the emotional connection people have to their community. This project reaffirmed the power of design in honoring a city’s heritage and fostering unity around a shared history.
Storytelling is Essential: An exhibit is more than just a collection of displays; it’s an opportunity to tell a compelling story. By weaving together historical narratives, personal anecdotes, and visuals, we created an experience that resonated with visitors on a deeper level.
Mirage Design is incredibly proud of our work on the 300th Anniversary Exhibit. It stands as a tribute not only to a significant historical event but also to the community that made it possible. Through this collaboration, we were able to share the inspiring story of a city coming together to celebrate its past, honor its future, and embrace the enduring spirit of its people.
As Quincy now celebrates its 400th anniversary, we hope that this exhibit serves as a lasting reminder of the pride, unity, and passion that shaped the city’s first 300 years. It’s a testament to the power of design in preserving and bringing history to life for future generations.
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