The 250th Anniversary Reenactment of The Battle of Bunker Hill aims to accurately portray the events and faithfully represent the people involved in the conflict of June 17, 1775. Our mission is to celebrate and commemorate the actions and sacrifices of the men and women of all sides of the Battle of Bunker Hill through careful research, public demonstrations, civic engagement and educational outreach. Through these means, we endeavor to increase understanding of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and to bring to life the stories and voices of those long gone or purposefully excluded: when you see us, think of them.
The event takes place at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. Visit https://discovergloucester.com/250th-battle-of-bunker-hill-reenactment-in-gloucester-ma/ for information on parking and shuttles to the event.
Though we would love to have Bunker Hill 250 happen in Charlestown, there just isn’t a location in the city where it would be geographically possible to hold such a program. We encourage all participants to visit the Bunker Hill monument and museum (located at: Bunker Hill Museum Address: 43 Monument Square, Charlestown, MA 02129).
Recreating the Battle
The first pitched battle of the American War for Independence was fought in stages. Our reenactment of the battle will do the same. The recreated battle will be broken up into a series of vignettes and lectures, as well as the tactical demonstrations. Beginning each morning, Colonial forces will race to build fortifications atop the hill as the Royal Navy bombards the American position to soften its defense in preparation for amphibious assault. British soldiers will then be ferried to the beachhead before charging the American lines – attacking the hill three times before taking it through bitter combat.
Before and after the tactical demonstrations, interpreters portraying specific historical figures will give context to the events of June 1775, detailing how the battle transformed their lives and our nation. Between each action, visitors will have the opportunity to meet reenactors and learn about the perspectives of the people they portray.
Event Schedule:
Saturday, June 21
The Navy Approaches:
Half Moon Beach
8 – 11:30 am
As the battle looms, the waters around Charlestown neck fill with Royal Navy vessels, sent to bombard the fortifications into submission and land troops for the eventual assault.
Join Royal Navy sailors and the crews of the tall ships Story, Ardelle, Isabelle, and Lynx, as they discuss the roll of the navy in the Battle of Bunker Hill as well as 18th century warfare.
Civilians Under Siege & the Military on the Move
The Marketplace
All Day
The citizens of Boston were able to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill from the rooftops and hills of the City. They had been under British occupation since the enforcement of the Boston Port Act a year earlier had shut down nearly all commerce to the town causing many to leave.
Interpreters will explain civilian and military life in Massachusetts in the 1770s. Through a diversity of perspectives across race, gender, class, and politics, you will learn about the dynamic lives of 18th century Bostonians, British military officers, and Provincial leaders.
The Preparation:
The Redoubt
9 – 10am
In the evening hours of June 16th, 1,200 American soldiers leave their camp at Cambridge to cross the neck onto the Charlestown peninsula. These hardened men from the country took on the work of fortifying Bunker Hill. As dawn broke, British cannons from ships and Cobb’s Hill (Boston) open fire to try to halt the work.
Join the soldiers as they construct the fortifications with hand tools from the period. Learn about the backgrounds and motivations of these Americans.
The Landing
Half Moon Beach
10 – 11am
General Gage forms British soldiers from the Boston garrison to land on the tip of the Charlestown Peninsula and form for a plan to drive the American’s from their fortifications on the Hill. As the British soldiers land, sharpshooters from Charlestown take pot shots at them. In response British soldiers set fire to Charlestown to drive off the sharpshooters, additionally using the smoke to mask their movements.
Watch as British sailors and soldiers from Boston land in the harbor in 18th century boats on the Charlestown Peninsula (Half-Moon Beach) forming for their assault on the American positions.
The Flanking Attack
Cressy Beach
1 – 2 pm
While the British Marines make a frontal assault on the redoubt as a faint, the elite soldiers of Gage’s force (Grenadiers and Light Infantry) attempt to flank the American fortifications by attacking down a beach on the Mystic River. These soldiers charge down the beach opposed by New Hampshire soldiers under Stark at a rail fence. The New Hampshire soldiers give an incessant fire which shatters the attack and drives back the Grenadiers and Light Infantry.
Watch as Britain’s elite soldiers assault American flank positions (Cressy Beach).
The Main Assault
Bunker Hill
4 – 5 pm
With the flanking attack on the beach broken, General Howe rallies the Marines along with the remaining Grenadiers and Light Infantry to make a head-on assault at the amin redoubt and rail fence of the American line. They are slowed in their advance by the numerous farmers’ fences, taking heavy casualties and fall back. Major John Pitcairn of the Marines is fatally wounded by Salem Poor. Howe has his men drop their packs and advances in column to negate American artillery fire. The advance in a final assault. The Americans, having run out of powder, begin throwing rocks in a desperate attempt to slow the British. Out of powder and overwhelmed the Americans flee the hill. General Joseph Warren of the American forces is killed in this final assault.
Watch as American militia soldiers defend their fortifications against the attacking British soldiers.
Sunday, June 22
The Navy Approaches:
Half Moon Beach
8 – 11:30 am
As the battle looms, the waters around Charlestown neck are filled with Royal Navy vessels, sent to bombard the fortifications into submission and land troops for the eventual assault.
Join Royal Navy sailors and the crews of the tall ships Story, Ardelle, Isabelle, and Lynx, as they discuss the roll of the navy in the Battle of Bunker Hill as well as 18th century warfare.
Civilians Under Siege & the Military on the Move
The Marketplace
All Day
The citizens of Boston were able to observe the Battle of Bunker Hill from the rooftops and hills of the city. They had been under British occupation since the enforcement of the Boston Port Act a year earlier had shut down nearly all commerce to the town causing many to leave.
Interpreters will explain civilian and military life in Massachusetts in the 1770s. Through a diversity of perspectives across race, gender, class, and politics, you will learn about the dynamic lives of 18th century Bostonians, British military officers, and Provincial leaders.
The Preparation:
The Redoubt
9 – 10am
In the evening hours of June 16th, 1,200 American soldiers leave their camp at Cambridge to cross the neck onto the Charlestown peninsula. These hardened men from the country took on the work of fortifying Bunker Hill. As dawn broke, British cannons from ships and Cobb’s Hill (Boston) open fire to try to halt the work.
Join the soldiers as they construct the fortifications with hand tools from the period. Learn about the backgrounds and motivations of these Americans.
The Landing
Half Moon Beach
10 – 11am
General Gage forms British soldiers from the Boston garrison to land on the tip of the Charlestown Peninsula and form for a plan to drive the Americans from their fortifications on the Hill. As the British soldiers land, sharpshooters from Charlestown take pot shots at them. In response British soldiers set fire to Charlestown to drive off the sharpshooters, additionally using the smoke to mask their movements.
Watch as British sailors and soldiers from Boston land in the harbor in 18th century boats on the Charlestown Peninsula (Half-Moon Beach) forming for their assault on the American positions.
The Main Assault
Bunker Hill
1 – 2 pm
With the flanking attack on the beach broken, General Howe rallies the Marines along with the remaining Grenadiers and Light Infantry to make a head-on assault at the amin redoubt and rail fence of the American line. They are slowed in their advance by the numerous farmers’ fences, taking heavy casualties and fall back. Major John Pitcairn of the Marines is fatally wounded by Salem Poor. Howe has his men drop their packs and advances in column to negate American artillery fire. The advance in a final assault. The Americans, having run out of powder, begin throwing rocks in a desperate attempt to slow the British. Out of powder and overwhelmed the Americans flee the hill. General Joseph Warren of the American forces are killed in this final assault.
Watch as American militia soldiers defend their fortifications against the attacking British soldiers.
