First Sinclair Clan Gathering 1984
Brucemore, Cedar Rapids, IA
By Gloria Bouschor-Yours Aye Editor

    BRUCEMORE - The home of Thomas Sinclair family and 
now a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

     The lawns of Brucemore (the Sinclair-Douglas Mansion) reverberated with the skirling of the great Highland Bagpipes and dancing feet and the laughter and conversation of friendly people.  Then silence--the gathering of the Sinclairs was a fond memory.
    The first Clan Gathering of the Sinclairs of the United States was held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on August 10th-12th, 1984.  It was a great success, and those in attendance enjoyed meeting and conversing with Clansmen from all over. The engrailed cross flew from the flagpole and Scottish and Sinclair banners graced the entry area. The reception on Friday night was embellished by sumptious platters of fruit and cheese, and cold carafes of wine served in the elegant ding room of Brucemore.  Brucemore - the home of the Thomas Sinclair family and now a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
   On Saturday morning, the Board of Governors met and made some decisions as to the future of your Assoc.  David Sinclair Bouschor was elected for a 3-year term as President, and a program for obtaining new members, and expanding the role of Clan Sinclair at Highland Games was discussed.  Later in the morning a General Clan meeting was held at Sinclair Auditorium on the Coe College campus.  Beginning with a slide presentation on Sinclair Castles, the clansmen decided to have clan gatherings in conjunction with Highland Games every 4 years.  
    Saturday afternoon found Sinclairs touring the Sinclair mansion, and piping and Highland dancing.  The sound of the piping, singing to the countryside was thrilling.  Our clan piper piped a few tunes with his father, David Bouschor and then piped for the dancing of his sister, Diana.  The flashing of the red and green tartans midst the lush green surroundings of Brucemore made for a memorable occasion.
    On a clear sunny Sunday morning, the Sinclairs trooped to a special service at the Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church.  The Rev. John Sinclair of Edina, MN gave the message, entitled "Belonging to Three Families" --the human family, the Sinclair family, and the family of Faith.  It was a memorable occasion.  The gathering finished with a brunch at Stouffers Five Seasons Hotel.  With the singing of Auld Lang Syne, it all became a memory.  Many warm memories linger, many new friendships flowered, truly this was a most successful event.

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To those who might be interested, Clan Sinclair USA chose Cedar Rapids for it's first USA clan gathering.  This was in 1984, which goes back to a significant happening in the Lower family life, which saw us sell our home in Carmichael and purchase a new 40-foot travel trailer, which was our home on the trip East. While there,  we invited our favorite aunt, Marian Sinclair, and we all had a marvelous time at the various functions, especially the formal dinner held at the T. M. Sinclair mansion, and the morning at the Sinclair chapel of the local college.

    Tom Sinclair was a leading citizen of Cedar Rapids, giving much to the church and college in his time.  He embarked on the construction of his mansion, but was killed in a fall in a grain silo in his factory and never lived to live in his grand new house.  His widow completed the house and grounds in the following years.
   Our first Clan USA president, David Sinclair Bouschor has much more interesting data on Tom the industrialist and benefactor and I'm sure would be glad to share it.  All I kept were the few pieces of writing he provided
at the banquet, the rest slowly washing out of my old grey mind. 

 Cheers,  Ray Lower