The Barrington 300 Committee selected artist Ted Hail to design this stunning medallion for Barrington’s Tricentennial celebration. Ted wrote about what inspired the choice of images on this celebratory coin: “I wanted something old and something new.” Old is represented by the gables of our landmark 1888 Town Hall. New is represented by the 2014 Barrington Bridge. The river under the bridge, and the Lantern of the 1856 Nayatt Point Lighthouse in the bottom of the outer ring, represent Barrington’s maritime heritage as a bayside town. These images are modeled in sharp relief and completed with the legend, “Barrington Tricentennial 1717–2017.” On the back simple text recounts the complex history of the town: “1717–1747, Barrington, Mass. 1747–1770, Warren, R.I. 1770–2017, Barrington, R.I.” The solid brass medallion measures two and one-half inches across, and was produced by Barrington Manufacturing Company.

Ted is a Barrington native and graduate of RISD, class of ‘74, where he majored in Illustration. Ted works in pencil, pastels, oil and watercolor paints, and acrylics. He recently retired from a long career as a graphic designer for Amica Insurance Company and is now writing a novel. The images have a personal meaning for Ted: “When the Town Hall was the Library, I used to dodge Mr. and Mrs’s Riccio’s dancing school by reading books on marine life in the basement and I would stand outside to hear the twelve o’clock whistle echoed by the one in Warren across town.” About the bridge, Ted said, “I would ride my bike “Red Lightning” and stop at the top of Barrington Bridge to look at red sponges growing on the piers and boats going under the bridge.” The Barrington bridge also symbolizes connection—between people, places, religions and work—from 1717 to 2017. Crossing rivers has been an important need in our area from the early colonial settlement era down to the present. It is a fitting symbol for our Tricentennial medallion.