“The British are coming!” Paul Revere’s alert on his famous Midnight Ride in 1775 was shouted again by a man on horseback barreling past the State House on Beacon Street.
Massachusetts 250, a statewide tourism initiative for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution kicked off Tuesday, with Governor Maura Healey and other state leaders announced grant funding for cities, towns, and organizations to start planning their own celebrations.
Dubbed MA250 for short, the Massachusetts initiative is being planned as part of America 250, a national initiative in which states are encouraged to host events for roughly two years leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Surrounded by historical reenactors wearing tri-cornered hats, and serenaded by the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums, Healey proclaimed the Commonwealth was ready for a revolutionary celebration.
“Massachusetts, we’re a state that led in the past, and now, invents, in the future,” Healey said, standing in front of the State House, where a MA250 banner hung from the portico. “We’ve led the revolution to make America an inclusive and just democracy and with Massachusetts 250, we’re going to build on that.”
Healey announced the first of two rounds of statewide grants, ranging from $7,500 to $75,000, to fund ongoing celebrations and programming leading up to July 4, 2026. A total of $1.5 million in grants was awarded to 37 towns and organizations in an effort to encourage statewide participation.
“The more people who get involved, the bigger the boost it will be for our state,” Healey said.
The towns of Concord and Lexington, home to some of the most iconic battles of the American Revolution, were among the grant recipients, along with cities and towns north and south of Boston, local historical societies, and museums.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that MA250 is also about putting stories front and center that were previously never told.
The Museum of African American History, with locations in Boston and Nantucket, was awarded $75,000 to improve “Black Voices of the Revolution,” a digital exhibition enhanced by previously unseen objects and AI features.
The Friends of Doherty Park was awarded $10,000 for the creation of a Paul Revere Lego mosaic to be constructed with Charlestown Boys and Girls Club and revealed at the Battle of Bunker Hill Day Parade.
“What makes Boston and Massachusetts so special is that we have always been the place that people come with big ideas to change the world,” Wu said.
Volunteers passed out red, white, and blue MA 250 pins, and groups held signs that read “Massachusetts is a state of firsts.”
“How many states can say they invented democracy, marriage equality, and basketball?” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll as the crowd cheered.
Massachusetts got a jump-start on the national celebration, with America 250 taking part in the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 2023, that drew thousands to watch the grand reenactment of tea dumped into Boston Harbor.
A second round of grant funding will be announced closer to 2026. “Everyone should start planning some type of event,” Driscoll said.
Guests invited to the kickoff said they are excited for the celebration ahead.
“We’re here to show that history is alive with Massachusetts students,” said Ilyse Rubin, a teacher at Stoneham High School who attended with some students.
“It’s really cool that we get this opportunity to come here,” said Stoneham student Margaret Tilden, 15. “We’re celebrating Massachusetts and it’s a very historical place that should be celebrated.”
View article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/17/metro/mass-250-tourism-initiative/
