American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California

Agency History

The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California (ARBCC) was officially established in 1967 by ( Stats. 1967, ch. 1425). Under the law passed, the Commission was to be comprised of twenty members, ten of which were to be appointed by the Governor, five by the Speaker of the Assembly, and five by the Senate Rules Committee. The Chairman of the Commission Charles Conrad (1968-1973) and later Richard Pourade (1973-1976) was also selected for that position on the basis of an gubernatorial appointment.

In order to handle the day-to-day operations of the Commission, as well as to brief the Commissioners on the nature and contents of program proposals being constantly submitted, an Executive Director, Albert Johnson, was selected by the ARBCC in November of 1972. Until Director Johnson assumed his duties, ARBCC Chairman Charles Conrad, from 1968-1972, directed the proceedings of the Commission from his Assembly office in the State Capitol Building.

As prescribed by law, the purpose of the Commission was to provide for, assist, sponsor, and promote Statewide and local celebrations, ceremonies, and observances, and to encourage the creation of exhibits and publications, with the expressed purpose in mind of commemorating and publicizing the Bicentennial of the American Revolution. A further reading of the statute makes the point clear that in regards to local Bicentennial observances, the Commission was to serve not in a managerial capacity but simply as an advisory group that would lend assistance and expertise when called upon.

The ARBCC officially closed its doors due to lack of funding on December 21, 1976; programs still in the process of winding down after that time were delegated to the State Department of Parks and Recreation.

From the guide to the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California Records, 1968-1977, (California State Archives)