BOSTON (WWLP) – State leaders launch Massachusetts 250, an initiative to promote the history of the Revolutionary War.
On Tuesday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Mayor Michelle Wu, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts 250 Commission Co-chairs State Senator Paul Mark and State Representative Mindy Domb, and state and local officials kicked off the event outside the Boston State House.
Costumed Revolutionary War re-enactors gathered outside the State House for the ceremony.
Paul Revere was back in Boston, but this time he rode his horse up Beacon Hill to the State House steps to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Revere’s ride kicked off Massachusetts 250, a tourism initiative that includes re-enactments, parades, historic house tours, and more.
Massachusetts was one of the original U.S. colonies and has made history by being the state with many “firsts’, such as the first ride of the revolution. Massachusetts 250 recognizes that Massachusetts not only was the first to start to have the first public park but also the first institution of higher learning, Harvard University, and the first to recognize marriage equality.
Governor Healey explained that Massachusetts is honoring the first 250 years of our history by looking back on all of the “firsts” Massachusetts has celebrated over the years, “First in freedom! First in education! First in healthcare! First in innovation! We celebrate that history, we honor that history, and every day we’re also making history.”
Western Massachusetts Senator Paul Mark is one of the co-chairs of the Revolution 250th Commission along with western Massachusetts Representative Mindy Domb. Senator Mark explained the importance of celebration America’s origins in this state.
“This country was conceived here in Massachusetts. And what a great opportunity here on the 250th anniversary coming up of that conception, that we’re going to showcase and spotlight what makes Massachusetts still great.”
The celebration also featured the Massachusetts innovation of a robot dog, as well as a colonial music performance and a speaking program. All Massachusetts 250 celebrations are leading up to the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the fourth of July in 2026.
The state is supporting small towns who want to join in on the celebrations
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, awarded $1.5 million to organizations across the state to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
“That will maybe tell some untold stories and invite people behind the scenes to learn more about the sights people manage across the state. So hopefully people will start packing their bags and come learn the authentic story of revolution in Massachusetts,” said Travel & Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox.
The Office of Travel and Tourism said they expect to present another round of grants later in the year. Jonathan Lane is the Executive Director of one of the organizations putting on Massachusetts 250 and he explained what kind of projects small-town and western Massachusetts historical societies have put on to join in on the celebrations, “They’re looking to do essentially small events, trying to engage with speakers, they’re trying to tell underrepresented stories.”
Massachusetts 250 Grant Awardees:
- 1Berkshire, Pittsfield
- Boston 4 Foundation, Boston
- Carlisle Historical Society< Carlisle
- Charlestown Historical Society, Boston
- City of Cambridge, Cambridge
- City of Chelsea, Chelsea
- City of Fall River, Fall River
- City of Salem, Salem
- Congregational Library & Archives, Boston
- Essex National Heritage, Inc., Salem
- Explore New Bedford, New Bedford
- Framingham History Center, Framingham
- Freedom Trail Foundation, Boston
- Freedom’s Way Heritage Association, Devens
- Friends of Doherty Park, Boston
- Hingham Historical Society, Hingham
- Historic New England, Haverhill
- Lexington Historical Society, Lexington
- Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston
- Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket
- Museum of Old Newbury, Newburyport
- North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Salisbury
- Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth
- Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, Hadley
- Somerville Museum, Somerville
- Springfield Preservation Trust, Springfield
- The Concord Museum, Concord
- The Innovation Trail of Greater Boston, Boston
- The Museum of Printing, Haverhill
- Town of Arlington, Arlington
- Town of Concord, Concord
- Town of Visitors Center, Lexington
- Town of Weymouth, Weymouth
- USS Constitution Museum, Boston
- Visit North Central Massachusetts, Fitchburg
- WBUR, Boston
Towns that want to get involved can email the commission, co-chaired by western Massachusetts lawmakers, Senator Paul Mark and Representative Mindy Domb at massachusetts250@mass.gov.
View article: https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/massachusetts-launches-initiative-to-promote-american-revolution-anniversary/
