Bridgeport Centennial, Inc. was the sponsor of the 1936 Bridgeport Centennial Half Dollar, but it was much more than just a coin sponsor. The group traces its roots to December 1935 and the 60-member Plan and Scope Committee that was created to develop a tentative celebration plan for the city's centennial and to create a preliminary budget for its planned events; the half dollar was included in its plan.
1936 Bridgeport, CT Centennial Half Dollar
A smaller Executive Committee was formed in January 1936, at which time the schedule of events developed by the Plan and Scope Committee was approved and the group was incorporated. In addition to the commemorative half dollar, significant projects sponsored by Bridgeport Centennial included: the Centennial Exposition (see link below for my post about it), the Centennial Historical Pageant (program below), and
The Story of Bridgeport, a well-written volume that traces Bridgeport's history from its origins through the Centennial The group also was responsible for creating the Offical Centennial Emblem.
Bridgeport Centennial Emblem
At the center of the Emblem is the Seal of the City of Bridgeport, with a surrounding rim that features the inscription "1836 - BRIDGEPORT CONNECTICUT - 1936 - CENTENNIAL."
The Seal has been slightly modified/modernized, but, at the time of the Centennial, the Seal featured an eagle with outstretched wings perched on a globe atop a shield (at center). Within the shield was depicted a rising sun (at the top) with an arm swinging a sledge hammer below it. To the left of the shield (viewer's perspective) was seen a sailing ship with a harbor scene behind it; in the distance was seen a church spire. To the shield's right was depicted a bridge with a train engine below it and mills/factories in the background along the waterfront. Bridgeport was/is a city located on the coast of Connecticut along the Long Island Sound and has a rich maritime history. (Not clearly visible on the badge presented below, the eagle held a ribbon in its beak with the inscription "INDUSTRIA CRESCIMUS" (in English: "BY INDUSTRY WE THRIVE").)
Below the shield was an anvil on a plinth. Below the plinth was presented a cog and cornucopia. To the left of the plinth was presented an early, horse-drawn fire engine; to the right was depicted an early sewing machine (Bridgeport was once a leading manufacturer of such machines).
Modern Seal of Bridgeport, CT 
(Image Credit: City of Bridgeport, https://www.bridgeportct.gov.)The Emblem was seen/used on multiple items produced by Bridgeport Centennial, Inc. It was featured on the lid of the coin distribution boxes (see below), within the program for the Historical Pageant (see below), on the front cover of
The Story of Bridgeport, on adhesive labels, on pinback buttons and on a medal/hanging badge worn by Centennial officials during some sponsored events. The badge is not frequently encountered, as it appears it was produced in limited quantities. (its engraving is definitely less refined vs. the half dollar!)
1936 Bridgeport, CT Centennial Emblem Badge
1936 Bridgeport, CT Centennial Emblem on Half Dollar Distribution Box
1936 Bridgeport, CT Centennial Emblem on Historical Pageant Program - Front Cover
For more on the Bridgeport Centennial Exposition, see:
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1936 Bridgeport, CT Centennial - Cousin (for Exposition)For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Bridgeport, CT half dollar, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 04/13/2022 2:28 pm
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