"People, Plants & Revolution" Public Art Banners and Audio Tour
2025-04-04 - 2025-05-31 | Town of Arlington, MA, Massachusetts Avenue 730, Arlington, MA, 02476, United States
April 4 to May 31, 2025
Public Art: Commemorative Banners and Audio Tour
Arlington Center, outside along Mass Avenue
People, Plants & Revolution is the theme for a series of colorful banners and an audio tour commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Arlington, MA. Organized by ArtsArlington, the banners portray the landscape elements and important plants that shaped life in 1775 in Menotomy, as the town was known at the time, a colonial farming village. Learn more about these plants and how people lived, interwoven with revolutionary history, by listening to the audio tour – available anytime and anywhere at www.PlantStories.us. The original silkscreen art used to make the banners is on view at 13FOREST Gallery (through May 23) and the Old Schwamb Mill (through May 31). See versions of the banners up close at Robbins Memorial Town Hall (through September 6) on the second floor. All of the banners and text versions of the audio tour are available at https://artsarlington.org/plants-and-people/.
About the Artists
ArtsArlington’s Public Art Curator Cecily Miller invited artists Suzanne Moseley and Liz Shepherd to design commemorative banners; they were assisted by Lily McDonald and Andrew Palladino.
Suzanne Moseley is an experimental artist, working in printmaking, cyanotype and sculptural formats. She often collaborates, recently with co-artist Liz Shepherd. Her work is in private collections, is often grant-funded and has been exhibited in the US and abroad. Her sculptures from repurposed materials, created with fellow artist Adrienne Shishko, have been featured in Fiber Art Now, The Boston Globe, and New Visionary Magazine. Her ability to work collaboratively garners its own attention, with invitations to discuss her experience, most recently at Berklee College of Music, Harvard Art Museum’s Maker Space and for an upcoming program on Newton Cable News.
Liz Shepherd produces large-scale sculptural installations, which bring to mind ideas about the earthly and the divine. She uses printmaking to enhance objects made of wood or paper. She also produces small, hand-pulled print editions. In the past 15 years she has exhibited in the United States and internationally. Shepherd’s work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Edinburgh College of Art, Syracuse University, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Hanoi (Vietnam) Contemporary Art Centre and the Bernard Zuckerman Museum of Art in Kennesaw, Georgia as well as numerous corporate and private collections. Originally from New York City, Shepherd now lives in Boston. She received her MFA in 2006 from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, which awarded her the prestigious Traveling Fellowship in 2015.
About the Audio Producer
Molly Edwards, Ph.D. produced the audio tour portion of this project. Dr. Edwards is a plant biologist turned science communicator who goes by Science IRL (‘in real life’) online. She is dedicated to telling stories that showcase the humanity and joy of being a scientist and foster a sense of belonging in STEM. In 2022 she received her Ph.D. from Harvard University, where she studied the wild and wonderful petals of columbine flowers. During graduate school she realized her science video hobby was quickly becoming a passion project that would shape her future career. Upon graduating she founded Science IRL Productions and now works with scientists and artists to bring STEM stories to life through digital media.
About ArtsArlington
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture – ArtsArlington for short – serves as the umbrella organization for all town-related arts and culture activities. Our mission is to cultivate a sustainable and supportive environment for the arts, enliven public space with accessible creative experiences to strengthen and enrich our community, create opportunities for artists, and invigorate the local economy. Our Public Art Curator, Cecily Miller, organized four projects to commemorate Arlington250 including these commemorative banners as well as work by Nilou Moochhala, Christopher Frost, Asia Kepka, and the fiber artists of Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilting Guild. See https://artsarlington.org

Untold Stories: Public Art Commemorating Arlington 250
2025-04-05 08:00 - 2025-05-23 17:00 (America/New_York) | 13 Forest Gallery, Massachusetts Avenue 167a, Arlington, MA, 02474, United States
On view April 5 – May 23, this 13Forest Gallery exhibition spotlights three major public art projects commissioned by Arts Arlington and planned by Public Art Curator Cecily Miller to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and the critical role of Arlington (formerly the Village of Menotomy) on its very first day of fighting, on April 19, 1775.
Featured artists in the exhibition include Chris Frost and Asia Kepka, Nilou Moochhala, and Suzanne Moseley and Liz Shepherd.
Sat April 26, 4-6PM, “Telling Stories”, talk by curator Cecily Miller and the artists of Untold Stories
Sat May 10, 4-6PM, Show and Tell – a demonstration of natural dyeing techniques and sustainability practices in art and fashion with Asia Kepka.

Arlington Restaurant Week
2025-04-12 - 2025-04-21 | Massachusetts
Arlington Restaurant Week
Sunday, April 12-Monday, April 21
Arlington’s diverse cuisine, representing all corners of the world, will be on display during Arlington Restaurant Week. Running from Sunday, April 12 through Monday, April 21, Arlington Restaurant Week will encompass Patriots’ Day Weekend 2025 and will celebrate 250 years since the Battle of Menotomy which took place at the beginning of the American Revolution. Participating restaurants will feature culinary specials and entertainment.
Arlington offers a thriving arts scene, boutique galleries, independent theaters, diverse dining, public art and access to the Minuteman Bikeway all within five square miles. This blend of history, natural beauty and vibrant arts makes Arlington a destination for foodies and history buffs just in time to kick off the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.

"Bedford Answers the Call" Exhibit Grand Opening
2025-04-12 08:00 - 14:00 | Bedford Historical Society, South Road 16, Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730, United States
Join us for the grand opening of “Bedford Answers the Call” at our Open House on April 12th from 8 – 10:15 a.m. and immediately following the Pole Capping Day parade and ceremony.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first day of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, we’ve created a collection of artifacts and stories specific to Bedford. Two rooms of the Historical Society Museum feature our town’s response to the urgent midnight call to arms: “The British are coming!”
Also, visit our satellite displays at the Bedford Free Public Library, 7 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA, to learn about the history of the present-day Bedford Minuteman Company.

Woburn's Historic Battle Road Reenactment
2025-04-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Woburn’s Historic Battle Road, Russell Street 223, Woburn, MA, 01801, United States
Join us for Woburn’s Historic Battle Road Celebration! This special event will honor the courage and legacy of Woburn’s Minutemen, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. We will unveil a new monument along Battle Road to commemorate Woburn’s important contributions to the Revolutionary War. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting day of remembrance and community pride!

HistoryFest
2025-04-12 09:00 - 16:30 | Westfield State University, Western Avenue 577, Westfield, Massachusetts, 01085, United States
Join the Pioneer Valley History Network for a gathering of local history enthusiasts, including local historians, public history professionals, genealogists, preservationists, academics, and others, in one place for one day of sharing. This is a one-day, conference-style event, a grassroots, democratic way to gather and share ideas and information. The topics that are presented are the ones the presenters are passionate about and range from hands-on history, revolutionary ideas, haunted history, and more. Traditional and non-traditional presentations abound.

Pole Capping Day - Colonial Reenactment of a Call to Patriots in Bedford
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:30 | Town of Bedford, Mudge Way 10, Bedford, Massachusetts, 01730, United States
Join the Bedford Minuteman Company and Minuteman Companies from the area as they converge on Willson Park in Bedford to commemorate the spirit and courage of the patriots who sparked the American Revolution. Pole Capping Day is considered the start of the Patriots Day celebration in the region.
The Liberty Pole Capping and Raising is a reenactment of a practice in Colonial America signifying dissatisfaction with varied rulings and conduct of the English government of that date. It is meant to be commemorative of the spirit of liberty exemplified by Bedfordians and other colonials in the early phases of the War for Independence.
This ceremony features a march, displays of musketry, and music of the period performed by the men and women of the many Minuteman Companies that come to participate. But the main event – which draws not only spectators, but also the soldiers of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot, intent on stopping the defiant rabble-rousing – is the raising of a tall wooden pole, which is climbed by a Bedford Minuteman and affixed with a red knitted cap.
Along with the event, there is a traditional Pancake breakfast and other activities to help kick off a Patriots Day celebration to remember.

Walking Tour: Explore Revolutionary Hingham
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Huzzah! Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world” with a revolutionary tour. In this 55-minute guided walk, you’ll see surviving homes from the 1700s and discover how ordinary Hinghamites survived the tumultuous years before, during, and after the American Revolution. This tour is perfect for history lovers of all ages!

Open House at Meriam's Corner (Minute Man NHP)
2025-04-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Minute Man National Historical Park, 74 Liberty Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Visit the Nathan Meriam witness house and talk with costumed park staff about the Meriam family and the importance of the crossroad near their home on April 19, 1775. In the early afternoon of that fateful day, Militia soldiers arriving from Reading, Chelmsford, and Billerica attacked retreating British soldiers near this home. From Meriam’s Corner to Charlestown the fighting raged continuously for 8 hours and roughly 16 miles. Today, this important home marks the beginning of the “Battle Road.”
Parking:
Meriam’s Corner Parking Lot: 751 Lexington Road, Concord, MA.
Overflow parking available on the day of the event.
This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park

Battle Road Memorial Dedication & Woburn’s 250th Anniversary Celebration
2025-04-12 11:00 - 14:00 | Woburn’s Historic Battle Road, Russell Street 223, Woburn, MA, 01801, United States
Join us as we commemorate Woburn’s rich Revolutionary War history with the unveiling of the new Battle Road Memorial Area! This special event will honor the brave men of Woburn who marched on April 19, 1775, with a brand-new monument, interpretive signage, and a dedicated space for reflection.
Event Highlights:
– Monument Dedication – Honoring the legacy of Woburn’s role in the Revolutionary War
– Interpretive Signage – Learn about the historical significance of Battle Road
– Live Music & Entertainment – Featuring performances by local artists
– Colonial Games & Entertainment – Fun, interactive activities for all ages
– The Lion’s Club will be firing up the grill with hamburgers and hotdogs for guests
– Distinguished Speakers – Hear from local leaders, historians, and community members

Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts
2025-04-12 11:00 - 16:00 | Congregational Library & Archives, Beacon Street 14, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, “Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts.” The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections.
By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified, sacred rebellion. Through sermons, books, poems, songs, and letters, Congregationalists shared their stories, reflected on their moral obligations to each other, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many, especially those on the margins.
These discussions shaped the legacy of Congregationalism and the way the Revolutionary War is remembered today, 250 years later.

Start the Press! Celebrating the Newspaper That Sparked a Revolution
2025-04-12 12:00 - 16:00 | American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, 01609, United States
Join the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) for a free community open house commemorating 250 years since Boston printer and patriot Isaiah Thomas brought his printing press and newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, to Worcester–a move that helped shape the American Revolution. Thomas’s original eighteenth-century press, which he named “no. 1,” is housed at AAS, the national research library of American history he founded in 1812. During the open house, visitors of all ages will be able to view “No. 1” and learn about its remarkable history, as well as try their hand at operating a full size, exact replica of the press. Other activities included guided behind-the-scenes tours showing how AAS stores and preserves its vast collections of original printed materials from before 1900, exploring and touching a variety of early American publications, and more. Complimentary refreshments will be available. All are welcome!
On April 16, 1775, printer Isaiah Thomas smuggled his printing press out of Boston to Worcester so it wouldn’t be seized by the British. Three days later the Battles of Concord and Lexington started the American Revolution. On May 3, 1775, with his press safely in Worcester, Thomas produced the first thing ever printed in the city: his newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, which included his eye-witness account of the battles. The Spy became known as one of the most important newspapers in the colonies, instrumental in garnering support for the war for independence.
Thomas would later found the American Antiquarian Society, a national research library that collects and makes accessible to all more than four million original printed, handwritten, and visual sources from North America before 1900.

Prescott's Ride & The Lincoln Alarm (Minute Man NHP)
2025-04-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Hartwell Tavern, 35 Virginia Road, Lincoln, MA, 01773, United States
“LISTEN my children, and you shall hear. Of the midnight ride of…” Samuel Prescott?
On the evening of April 12, 2025 join National Park Rangers as we commemorate and explore the true story of the famous midnight ride 250 years ago. On April 19th 1775 a midnight alarm spread across Massachusetts about the impending march of British soldiers from Boston to Concord. In 1860, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized the story of Paul Revere and his midnight ride but what about the many other alarm riders that evening?
Contrary to Longfellow’s poem, Revere never made it to Concord. A British patrol captured Revere and others at the boarder of Lexington and Lincoln, Massachusetts near 1:00 am. Riding alongside Paul Revere, Concord local Samuel Prescott made a daring horseback escape and spread the alarm onward. Prescott returned to the main road near Hartwell Tavern, spreading the alarm to Lincoln before riding off to Concord. Join National Park Rangers for a nighttime open house and immersive 250th living history experience at Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Schedule of Events:
6 PM- Hartwell Tavern Open House
Join Park Rangers and Living Historians and explore the true story of the midnight ride.
8 PM- Immersive Park Ranger Program
Experience the excitement of April 19, 1775, when the midnight alarm swept through Lincoln, Massachusetts.
9 PM- Site closed
Parking:
Hartwell Tavern Parking Lot: 112 North Great Road, Lincoln, Ma.
This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park
