Events

Across the State of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. Bookmark this page to join events and celebrations statewide.

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Protest and Promise – The American Revolution in Lexington

Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA, United States

After years of tension between Great Britain and its North American colonies, a skirmish on the town green in Lexington, Massachusetts broke long-held bonds and ignited the American Revolutionary War. In an unprecedented moment in 1775, ordinary people in Lexington made extraordinary choices. An entire community—women, men, black, white, young, old, enslaved, and free—helped spark […]

FREE

The Continental Arsenal at Springfield Exhibit

Springfield Armory National Historic Site One Armory Square, Springfield, United States

Established by General George Washington and General Henry Knox in 1777, the Continental Arsenal at Springfield was a critical part of the supply network for the fledgling Continental Army. The enlisted men and officers assigned there fabricated and supplied all manner of military supplies throughout the Revolutionary War. Explore rarely seen collections and historic documents […]

Free

Witness: Hingham in the Age of Revolution

Hingham Heritage Museum Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, United States

As the Nation marks 250 years of independence, Witness: Hingham in the Age of Revolution explores how one New England town experienced the ideas, contradictions, and upheavals of the American Revolution. Through the lives of Hingham’s residents– white and Black, free and enslaved– this immersive new exhibit traces the ups & downs forging of a […]

Forging Independence | Building a Nation

New Bedford Whaling Museum 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the New Bedford Whaling Museum will open a new suite of conjoined galleries in that explore stories of independence, struggle, and citizenship in the region during the late colonial and early Republican period (1760-1830). Forging Independence | Building a Nation introduces connections between historical events […]

The Revolutionary Journey of William Rotch Sr.

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum County Street 396, New Bedford, MA, United States

A special exhibition of selections from the Historical Graphic Novel Quaker Whaler Traitor Spy! by Dr. Sarah Crabtree, Illustrated by Melissa Philley. William Rotch was one of the unluckiest men of the eighteenth century. Accused of treason four times by three governments in two decades (1775 – 1795), he became a cautionary tale for any […]

$4 – $65

Picturing the Revolution

Flynt Center of Early New England Life Old Main Street 37, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

Throughout the American War for Independence, scores of images circumnavigated the globe, fighting their own battles to establish a comprehensible narrative for the momentous events occurring in British North America. Differences in politics, disruptions in communication, and the delay of thousands of miles of distance produced competing and often contradictory accounts. Some images became enduring […]

General Admission

Dressing the Revolution: Fashion and Politics 1760–1789

Flynt Center of New England Life Old Main Street 37, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

The exhibition includes more than 20 garments, accessories, textiles, and prints that illuminate the complex role of clothing at the time of the American Revolution. By posing new questions about fashion’s relationship with class, race, and gender, Dressing the Revolution: Fashion and Politics 1760–1789 places clothing at the center of the political debates, shedding light […]

General Admission

A Town Divided: Deerfield in the Age of Revolution

historic deerfield 84B Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

This exhibition explores how a rural Massachusetts community responded to the upheaval of the late 1760s through the 1780s. Using objects, documents, and personal narratives, it will present multiple perspectives on how Deerfield residents embraced, rejected, or questioned Revolutionary ideals. While many associate the Revolution with Boston or battlefield sites, A Town Divided brings the […]

General Admission
Event Series Myth and Memory: Stories of the American Revolution

Myth and Memory: Stories of the American Revolution

Historic New England - Eustis Estate 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, United States

𝘔𝘺𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺: 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 brings together material from Historic New England’s vast permanent collection of objects and archival materials to explore the multifaceted history of the American Revolution as it played out in New England. These objects tell the stories of everyday people whose lives were linked by the shared experience […]

$20
Event Series Yarmouth in Revolution Exhibit : the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum

Yarmouth in Revolution Exhibit : the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum

Captain Bangs Hallet House & Museum Strawberry Lane 11, Yarmouth, Massachusetts, United States

To mark the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Captain Bangs Hallet House Museum will present a special exhibition during the summer of 2026. “Yarmouth In Revolution” will look at what life was like for the townspeople living through the pivotal years of the American Revolution. We will focus attention on their daily lives: […]

Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum Glendale Road 9, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

In commemoration of America’s 250th founding, Norman Rockwell Museum will present Visions of a Nation: 250 Years from Revolution to Rockwell, from June 6 to October 26, 2026. This sweeping exhibition will portray how artists—from the Revolutionary era to today–emblazoned the ideals and evolving story of America. Organized around nine foundational themes, Visions of a […]

Remembering the Revolution

Heritage Museums & Gardens Grove Street 67, Sandwich, Massachusetts, United States

How do we remember the American Revolution? In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Heritage Museums & Gardens presents Remembering the Revolution, a site-wide exhibition exploring what life was like for everyday New Englanders during America's founding era. Drawing from Heritage's collections, the exhibition examines the experiences of […]

Free with Museum admission

In Defense of our Just Rights & Liberties: Amherst in the Revolution

Amherst History Center 45 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA, United States

This exhibit gives guests an opportunity to learn how the Revolutionary War played out in Amherst - directly from the voices of the residents who lived through it. Through primary source documents, the exhibit brings visitors on a journey from the Declaration of Independence in Amherst to the stirrings of revolution and eventual outbreak of […]

$5
Event Series America at 250 at the MFA

America at 250 at the MFA

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, United States

A silver bowl. 17-foot-wide painted room divider. A charismatic silversmith considering his craft. A towering mahogany desk and bookcase. Certain paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and works on paper from the MFA’s Art of the Americas art collection, along with the artists who created them, played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the […]

76 Reading Frederick Douglass Together events in 2026

We believe Frederick Douglass’ words belong in public spaces. Every year we provide grants to support readings of his influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in town squares, community centers, churches, museums, libraries, parks, and more. This year, we’re proud to share that a record-high 76 readings will take place across […]

Songs of Liberty

Old Sturbridge Village 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA, United States

A 25-minute live performance explores how music carried revolutionary ideas through taverns, homes, and meetinghouses across New England—often faster and with greater impact than the written word. A cast of musicians, joined by a Massachusetts Minuteman storyteller, will perform songs from the Revolutionary era with a contemporary folk-rock twist, highlighting enduring themes of liberty, resistance, […]

Included with general daytime admission or membership.

Voices of a Revolution

Old Sturbridge Village 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA, United States

Visitors will step into a rural Massachusetts community and meet six Revolutionary-era residents—a printer, housemaid, lawyer, shopkeeper, tavern keeper, and farmer’s wife—each navigating the growing conflict in their own way. To make the experience even more immersive, guests will have an opportunity to learn about a specific person and build their own character, allowing them […]

Included with general daytime admission or membership.

Independence on Martha’s Vineyard: Then, Now & Forever

Vincent House Main Street 99, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Independence on Martha’s Vineyard: Then, Now & Forever is an immersive exhibition that explores how independence has shaped the Island over 250 years. Through historic objects and storytelling, this exhibit reveals the distinct culture of self-determination and the lasting influence of Revolutionary ideals on Vineyard life. Exhibit open Tuesdays-Saturdays, July 4-September 5: 11:00am-2:00pm. The Vincent […]

$10
Event Series Salt and Survival: The Untold Story of the Revolution

Salt and Survival: The Untold Story of the Revolution

Jericho Historical Center Old Main Street 90, Dennis, Massachusetts, United States

School lessons about the American Revolution often focus on the Boston Tea Party—but far fewer people learn about the importance of salt. Cod fishing, Cape Cod's biggest industry, relied on salt for preserving fish for export. British blockades, designed to cripple coastal communities, were preventing salt being imported. In response, colonists relied on the sun […]

Free

Sail Boston 2026 Harbor Spectacular + Suite Stay at Boston Marriott Long Wharf

boston marriott long wharf State Street 296, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Witness a maritime spectacle that draws visitors from around the world as the Tall Ships return to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston 2026, part of Massachusetts’ 250th celebration. As night falls, fireworks illuminate the waterfront, adding to the festive atmosphere throughout the city. This Moment includes a two-night suite stay at Boston Marriott Long Wharf, […]

Event Series Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vincent House Main Street 99, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Meet historian Norah Van Riper in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, for Independence on Foot, a spirited walking tour exploring Martha’s Vineyard’s revolutionary past. Beginning at the Vincent House Museum, this 90-minute walking tour connects Edgartown sites, stories, and civic ideals - bringing the Island’s role in the American Revolution and its independent spirit to life. Participating […]

Event Series Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vincent House Main Street 99, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Meet historian Norah Van Riper in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, for Independence on Foot, a spirited walking tour exploring Martha’s Vineyard’s revolutionary past. Beginning at the Vincent House Museum, this 90-minute walking tour connects Edgartown sites, stories, and civic ideals - bringing the Island’s role in the American Revolution and its independent spirit to life. Participating […]

Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply

USA 250 Urban Naturalist Walk

Franklin Park Zoo 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA, United States

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a special nature walk highlighting the landscapes, stories, and living heritage that have shaped our nation since its founding. As we explore the trails, we’ll connect the natural world around us to 250 years of American history, discovering the plants, wildlife, and ecosystems that have witnessed generations of change.

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Regiment Monument] Tremont Street 139, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston’s newest official Freedom Trail Tour! The Foundation’s Rainbow Revolutionaries Tours illuminate the lives, loves, and fights for liberty of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, and explore how queer individuals have been making history for centuries. Uncover the history of Boston Marriages, political milestones for LGBTQ+ rights, and the storied romances of some of Boston’s most famous […]

Event Series Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Indian House Memorial Old Main Street 107, Deerfield, MA, United States

We are proud to introduce our most ambitious exhibit ever, titled “Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State,” made possible by a grant from Massachusetts 250 and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). Through rare artifacts, photographs, and documents, this exhibit will tell the story of Massachusetts brewers from the Pilgrims to […]

$5
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49

Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps

Springfield Armory National Historic Site One Armory Square, Springfield, United States

Please join us for a free A250-themed musical performance from the Plymouth Fife and Drums Corps hailing from Plymouth Michigan!

Free
Event Series A Stake in the Ground: 1774

A Stake in the Ground: 1774

historic deerfield 84B Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

Staged at Historic Deerfield, A Stake in the Ground: 1774 is a series of three site-specific plays, set in Deerfield, MA, on the eve of the American Revolution. Each performance includes all three plays and will end with a post-show conversation. In the summer of 1774, seeds of revolution begin to germinate in Deerfield when […]

$15 – $25
Event Series My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

Colonial Chorus Players (Reading) Main Street 1149, Reading, Massachusetts, United States

Free Admission! Time Travel Theatrical Presents My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams written by Peter Manos Based on actual letters between President John Adams and his wife Abigail Produced/Directed by Laura J. Bilodeau Featuring: Katie Broach and Jim Hunt Carla Perrotta and Peter Cavicchio Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatic […]

Free
Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00

Rum, Ropes & Stories

Renaissance Boston Seaport District Congress Street 606, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Set sail for an evening of local discovery as the Renaissance Boston Seaport District invites you to explore the stories behind Boston’s historic harbor. On Monday, July 13 from 5–7 PM, gather in Capiz, where a local historian will bring Boston’s maritime past to life—timed with the excitement of Tall Ships arriving in the city. […]

Finding Your Revolutionary War Ancestors

Agawam Public Library Cooper Street 750, Agawam, MA, United States

Join the Agawam Public Library for an evening of digging for your roots as Genealogist Dave Robison shows us how research our Revolutionary War relatives. In this semiquincentennial year of our country, learn where to look for records and how to interpret historical documents. Get started on your genealogy journey and connect with your family […]

Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

North Andover Historical Society 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, United States

The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free

Sail Boston Cup

Lopresti Park Sumner Street 33, Boston, MA, United States

In honor of the FIFA Wold Cup being played at Boston Stadium, the Navy Tall Ship Crew and Cadets will play in a competitive 5 versus 5 Soccer Tournament in East Boston.

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Patriots of Color Exhibition

Patriots of Color Exhibition

Family Heritage Experience Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]

$10 – $12
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00

Vineyard Preservation Trust: 250 Years Later: Thoughts on the American Revolution with Nathaniel Philbrick

Vineyard Preservation Trust, Old Whaling Church Main Street 89, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and the Vineyard Preservation Trust, join acclaimed historian and bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick for an evening at the Old Whaling Church. Known for works such as Bunker Hill, Valiant Ambition, and In the Heart of the Sea, Philbrick brings fresh perspective to the American Revolution 250 years on. With […]

$30
Event Series My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

51 Walden Performing Arts Center Walden Street 51, Concord, MA, United States

Free Admission! Time Travel Theatrical Presents My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams written by Peter Manos Based on actual letters between President John Adams and his wife Abigail Produced/Directed by Laura J. Bilodeau Featuring: Katie Broach and Jim Hunt Carla Perrotta and Peter Cavicchio Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatic […]

Free
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

North Andover Historical Society 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, United States

The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Patriots of Color Exhibition

Patriots of Color Exhibition

Family Heritage Experience Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]

$10 – $12
Event Series American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of the Berkshires

American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of the Berkshires

Norman Rockwell Museum Glendale Road 9, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

History & Art Series: This summer when America is celebrating its 250th anniversary, join us for this historical and civic education program to learn how the Berkshires played a pivotal role in the founding of our nation. "American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of the Berkshires" examines the history of the American Revolution and its reverberating […]

Link to the event listing to see pricing options.
Event Series American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of the Berkshires

American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of the Berkshires

Norman Rockwell Museum Glendale Road 9, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

CHOOSE from 11 am or 5:30 pm sessions Every Wednesday in July; A Berkshire History Course This summer when America is celebrating its 250th anniversary, join us for this historical and civic education program to learn how the Berkshires played a pivotal role in the founding of our nation. American Stories: Rebels and Revolutionaries of […]

$40
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00

Vineyard Preservation Trust: A Revolution Worn: Clothing that Marked Cultural Change in America

The Carnegie Heritage Center North Water Street 58, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Join us at the Carnegie Heritage Center, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, for A Revolution Worn. From revolutionary-era liberty caps to modern protest fashion, this illustrated talk with live models explores how clothing and etiquette have expressed cultural change across 250 years of American history. Presented by protocol expert Sharon-Frances “Shances” Moore, the program reveals how what […]

Enslavement and Freedom: Elizabeth Freeman and the American Revolution

The Mount Massachusetts 2, Lenox, MA, United States

In 1781, an enslaved woman named Elizabeth Freeman heard the words “all men are created equal” read aloud from the Declaration of Independence and resolved to claim that promise for herself and other enslaved people. Known as Mum Bett, Freeman had been enslaved in Sheffield, Massachusetts. She sought the help of Stockbridge attorney Theodore Sedgwick, […]

Free
Event Series History Uncorked: A Summer Lecture Series at the Nickerson Mansion

History Uncorked: A Summer Lecture Series at the Nickerson Mansion

The Mansion at Ocean Edge Main Street 2907, Brewster, MA, United States

Visit Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club this summer for History Uncorked — a series of four evening lectures held inside the historic Nickerson Mansion in Brewster, Cape Cod, in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Led by Ocean Edge's resident historian Renee Dee and Cape Cod historian David Martin, Ph.D., each talk explores a different […]

Colonial Dance

Tapley Memorial Hall 13 Page Street, Danvers, MA, United States

Darlene Wigton, director of the Lexington History Museums Colonial Dancers, will give a brief talk on the history of social dance in the American Colonies. We will be treated to a demonstration of 17th and 18th century English Country Dance, followed by instructions for anyone who would like to join in. On Sunday afternoon we […]

Free
Event Series My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams

51 Walden Performing Arts Center Walden Street 51, Concord, MA, United States

Free Admission! Time Travel Theatrical Presents My Dearest Friend: A Play About John and Abigail Adams written by Peter Manos Based on actual letters between President John Adams and his wife Abigail Produced/Directed by Laura J. Bilodeau Featuring: Katie Broach and Jim Hunt Carla Perrotta and Peter Cavicchio Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatic […]

Free
Event Series Sail Boston Fireworks

Sail Boston Fireworks

Fan Pier, Boston Harbor Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Fireworks will illuminate Boston Harbor and the Tall Ships below twice during Sail Boston. The fireworks will launch from a barge located off of Boston’s Fan Pier.

Free
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

North Andover Historical Society 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, United States

The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Patriots of Color Exhibition

Patriots of Color Exhibition

Family Heritage Experience Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]

$10 – $12
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Salt and Survival: The Untold Story of the Revolution

Salt and Survival: The Untold Story of the Revolution

Jericho Historical Center Old Main Street 90, Dennis, Massachusetts, United States

School lessons about the American Revolution often focus on the Boston Tea Party—but far fewer people learn about the importance of salt. Cod fishing, Cape Cod's biggest industry, relied on salt for preserving fish for export. British blockades, designed to cripple coastal communities, were preventing salt being imported. In response, colonists relied on the sun […]

Free
Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00

Cape Cod and Islands in the Revolution

Falmouth Museums on the Green Palmer Avenue 55, Falmouth, MA, United States

Cape Cod and Islands in the Revolution –A new illustrated book about the events of the Revolutionary War on Cape Cod and the Islands provides an overview of key events for our region between 1761 and 1783, eventually leading to national Independence. An overview of highlights from the book will be presented as part of […]

Author James L. Nelson discusses his book “George Washington’s Secret Navy”

Topsfield Town Library 1 South Common St, Topsfield, MA, United States

As part of the Topsfield Library's Rev 250 programming marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and with tall ships visiting Boston for Sail Boston 2026 , we are excited to host author James L. Nelson to discuss his book George Washington's Secret Navy. ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1775, General George […]

Free

Popular Music & Veterans

Agawam Public Library Cooper Street 750, Agawam, MA, United States

The Agawam Public Library is pleased to welcome back Jon and Li Waterman for an evening of live music and military history. In their program, “Popular Music and Veterans”, Jon and Li Waterman supplement their well-received "Roots of American Popular Music" program with an exploration through songs of some of the experiences and sacrifices of […]

Free

Prepared for War: Sudbury and the Massachusetts Militia on the Eve of Lexington and Concord

Sudbury History Center and Museum Old Sudbury Road 288, Sudbury, Massachusetts, United States

Join us on July 16th for a fascinating evening lecture on Sudbury and the Massachusetts Militia on the eve of Lexington and Concord! In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered towns across the Colony to prepare for war with England. In response, the Colony entered a wartime phase that included creating minute companies, stockpiling […]

$5

Revolutionary Legacies | History Happy Hour

Concord Museum 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, United States

Celebrate the Museum’s special exhibition, Revolutionary Legacies, with a special guided tour following a festive happy hour of wine, beer, and light refreshments in the Museum’s courtyard. Reflect on the nation’s founding principles, their continuous reinterpretation over the past 250 years, and consider what they mean today through textiles, ceramics, and relics from the 19th […]

$15 – $25

Concord Band Summer Concert at 51 Walden: “Boston Liberties”

51 Walden Performing Arts Center Walden Street 51, Concord, MA, United States

The Concord Band, directed by James O’Dell, will be performing at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord on Thursday, July 16 at 7:15pm. The theme of this concert is “Boston Liberties” and will feature pieces commissioned by the Band, as well as spirited works by John Philip Sousa, Clare Grundman, and Jay Chattaway. The […]

free (donations gratefully accepted)
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free
Event Series The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

North Andover Historical Society 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, United States

The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free

Chasing Liberty: Black Newburyporters and Privateers in Highland Cemetery

Highland Cemetery Hill Street 21, Newburyport, MA, United States

Join Ghlee Woodworth for a walking tour focused on the memorials of Newburyport’s Black community and Revolutionary privateers. Wander through Newburyport’s historic Highland Cemetery with a special guide - noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native. During this special event, Woodworth will focus on the memorials of Newburyport’s once-thriving Black community, […]

$10 – $20

Chasing Liberty: Black Newburyporters and Privateers in Highland Cemetery

Highland Cemetery Hill Street 21, Newburyport, MA, United States

Join Ghlee Woodworth for a walking tour focused on the memorials of Newburyport’s Black community and Revolutionary privateers. Wander through Newburyport’s historic Highland Cemetery with a special guide - noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native. During this special event, Woodworth will focus on the memorials of Newburyport’s once-thriving Black community, […]

$10 – $20
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Patriots of Color Exhibition

Patriots of Color Exhibition

Family Heritage Experience Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]

$10 – $12
Event Series 1776 at The Mission House

1776 at The Mission House

The Mission House Main Street 19, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

Join Mark Wilson, Director of Historic Collections, for a special curator’s tour focused on life in Revolutionary Stockbridge and uncover a powerful chapter in the history of The Mission House. Explore historic spaces, artifacts, and stories drawn from the site’s rich history, and discover how global events reverberated through this Berkshire community. Learn about Dr. […]

$5
Event Series Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Indian House Memorial Old Main Street 107, Deerfield, MA, United States

We are proud to introduce our most ambitious exhibit ever, titled “Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State,” made possible by a grant from Massachusetts 250 and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). Through rare artifacts, photographs, and documents, this exhibit will tell the story of Massachusetts brewers from the Pilgrims to […]

$5
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vincent House Main Street 99, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Meet historian Norah Van Riper in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, for Independence on Foot, a spirited walking tour exploring Martha’s Vineyard’s revolutionary past. Beginning at the Vincent House Museum, this 90-minute walking tour connects Edgartown sites, stories, and civic ideals - bringing the Island’s role in the American Revolution and its independent spirit to life. Participating […]

Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00
Event Series A Stake in the Ground: 1774

A Stake in the Ground: 1774

historic deerfield 84B Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

Staged at Historic Deerfield, A Stake in the Ground: 1774 is a series of three site-specific plays, set in Deerfield, MA, on the eve of the American Revolution. Each performance includes all three plays and will end with a post-show conversation. In the summer of 1774, seeds of revolution begin to germinate in Deerfield when […]

$15 – $25
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free

HOLD THESE TRUTHS: Lara Downes and Friends at MASS MoCA July 18

1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247 Mass MoCA Way 1040, North Adams, Massachusetts, United States

Pianist Lara Downes presents a poignant and probing concert that marks America’s 250th anniversary by celebrating the power of music to express the core essence of our founding promise featuring Theo Bleckmann, 9 Horses (Joseph Brent, Sara Caswell, and Andrew Ryan), and Vuyo Sotashe. With this nuanced exploration through the American musical landscape, Downes captures […]

Event Series The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

The Aspirations of Ordinary People – Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective

North Andover Historical Society 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, United States

The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply
Event Series 1776: Declaring Independence

1776: Declaring Independence

Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history. In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten […]

Free

Newburyport’s Revolution: From High Street to the Waterfront

Museum of Old Newbury 98 High Street, Newburyport, United States

Follow Newburyport's road to revolution through merchant mansions, taverns, privateering, shipmasters, and Market Square. Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth for a walk from the 1808 Cushing House down State Street into the commercial and maritime heart of Newburyport. Hear how taverns, merchant mansions, privateering fortunes, shipmasters, and public spaces helped shape the city […]

$10 – $20

Newburyport’s Revolution: From High Street to the Waterfront

Museum of Old Newbury 98 High Street, Newburyport, United States

Follow Newburyport's road to revolution through merchant mansions, taverns, privateering, shipmasters, and Market Square. Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth for a walk from the 1808 Cushing House down State Street into the commercial and maritime heart of Newburyport. Hear how taverns, merchant mansions, privateering fortunes, shipmasters, and public spaces helped shape the city […]

$10 – $20

America Through Animals: Exploring 250 Years of History at Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA, United States

Led by historian Rory Browne (D.Phil), this tour will uncover connections between the Zoo’s animals, landscapes and America’s past, from the colonial era and the founding of the nation to westward expansion, scientific discovery and the dawn of the modern age.

Event Series Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays

Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays

Custom House Maritime Museum Water Street 25, Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States

FREE outdoor and indoor activities for kids all summer long Building on the success of the Road to Revolution partnership programs, each Saturday from now until the end of September, the museum will host children’s outdoor and indoor programming. The hugely successful Discovery Center experience will extend out onto the lawn with 15 new activity […]

Reading and Celebration of the Declaration of Independence

Greylock Glen Center Gould Road 165, Adams, Massachusetts, United States

Join us as we celebrate the birth of our country with our community at the beautiful Greylock Glen Center, situated at the base of Mount Greylock, the tallest mountain in all of southern New England. Join other attendees while dressed in colonial era clothing. Commemorate and celebrate the birth of our country with our community […]

Free

Picnic on the Common

Stoneham Town Common Church Street 68, Stoneham, MA, United States

In celebration of America 250, the Stoneham Historical Society and Museum in partnership with the Stoneham Historical Commission invites you to "Picnic on the Common" on Saturday July 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. So pack a picnic basket or pick up something to go from your favorite local Stoneham eatery, grab a […]

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Patriots of Color Exhibition

Patriots of Color Exhibition

Family Heritage Experience Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]

$10 – $12
Event Series Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Regiment Monument] Tremont Street 139, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston’s newest official Freedom Trail Tour! The Foundation’s Rainbow Revolutionaries Tours illuminate the lives, loves, and fights for liberty of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, and explore how queer individuals have been making history for centuries. Uncover the history of Boston Marriages, political milestones for LGBTQ+ rights, and the storied romances of some of Boston’s most famous […]

Event Series Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State

Indian House Memorial Old Main Street 107, Deerfield, MA, United States

We are proud to introduce our most ambitious exhibit ever, titled “Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State,” made possible by a grant from Massachusetts 250 and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). Through rare artifacts, photographs, and documents, this exhibit will tell the story of Massachusetts brewers from the Pilgrims to […]

$5
Event Series AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage

Nobility Hill Historic District Stoneham, Massachusetts, United States

In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades. This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]

$4.49
Event Series Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vineyard Preservation Trust Walking Tour: Independence on Foot

Vincent House Main Street 99, Edgartown, Massachusetts, United States

Meet historian Norah Van Riper in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, for Independence on Foot, a spirited walking tour exploring Martha’s Vineyard’s revolutionary past. Beginning at the Vincent House Museum, this 90-minute walking tour connects Edgartown sites, stories, and civic ideals - bringing the Island’s role in the American Revolution and its independent spirit to life. Participating […]

Event Series Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour

Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, United States

Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]

$35.00
Event Series A Stake in the Ground: 1774

A Stake in the Ground: 1774

historic deerfield 84B Old Main Street, Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States

Staged at Historic Deerfield, A Stake in the Ground: 1774 is a series of three site-specific plays, set in Deerfield, MA, on the eve of the American Revolution. Each performance includes all three plays and will end with a post-show conversation. In the summer of 1774, seeds of revolution begin to germinate in Deerfield when […]

$15 – $25

Writing a Revolution: The Letters of John & Abigail Adams 1773-1776

Abigail's Tea Room at The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Congress Street 306, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

From the “destruction of the tea” to the Declaration of Independence, witness the founding of a nation through the eyes of one of colonial America’s most iconic couples. John Adams will take part as a delegate in the First and Second Continental Congresses in Philadelphia, while his wife, Abigail, remains in Massachusetts as the American […]

$25
Event Series Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy

How Do You See the World? experience Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy. This free exhibit is part of the interactive […]

Free

Printing Revolution

1699 Isaac Winslow House 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, United States

Andy Volpe will present a slide lecture titled "Printing Revolution," which has a dual significance, referring to both the printing press and the "Revolutionary" nature of what was printed. The program will concentrate on the events leading up to the American Revolution and the printing of the Declaration of Independence. It will also discuss the […]

Free
Event Series Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Collecting Wonders: Tomorrow’s Discoveries

Harvard Museum of Natural History Oxford Street 26, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

When you imagine a museum, you might picture cases of artifacts. But the objects on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History are a tiny percentage of the total collections. Behind the scenes, experts care for 26 million specimens. These objects form the basis for studying life on Earth. They are records of the […]

Regular museum admission rates apply

Headquarters of a Revolution: Washington’s Arrival in Cambridge

Longfellow House-Washington Headquarters Brattle Street 105, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Explore the people, ideas, and questions that shaped General George Washington’s first revolutionary headquarters 251 years ago this July. Choose your path through this free, all-ages event featuring historic house and outdoor walking tours; family activities; film screenings; living historians, a Story Walk, and more. Free and open to all! The house at 105 Brattle […]

Free
Event Series The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement

Old State House 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, United States

Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 […]

Event Series Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Freedom Trail Foundation Rainbow Revolutionaries Tour

Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Regiment Monument] Tremont Street 139, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston’s newest official Freedom Trail Tour! The Foundation’s Rainbow Revolutionaries Tours illuminate the lives, loves, and fights for liberty of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, and explore how queer individuals have been making history for centuries. Uncover the history of Boston Marriages, political milestones for LGBTQ+ rights, and the storied romances of some of Boston’s most famous […]

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