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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Lexington’s Patriots’ Day celebration commemorates the opening moments of the American Revolution with moving reenactments, solemn ceremonies, and vibrant community events. At dawn, the Battle Green comes alive as militia and British regulars recreate April 19, 1775. Parades, historic homes, music, and family activities follow, honoring courage, sacrifice, and civic pride while welcoming visitors to […]
1776 was more than a turning point; it marked the birth of a new world order. A bold line was drawn as ordinary people made extraordinary decisions, declaring independence from the most powerful empire on earth. Driven by youthful fire, they believed in the promise of liberty more than they feared the cost of pursuing […]
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 […]
This ongoing exhibit highlights Lexington’s pivotal role in the American Revolution as the site of the conflict’s opening battle and a powerful symbol of colonial resistance to British rule. Lexington’s significance lies not only in this first battle but also in what it represented. The town embodied the colonies’ growing determination to defend their rights […]
Diorama Drop-Off: April 10-18 Public Voting: April 21 - May 9 Create a patriotic PEEPS scene in celebration of the Revolutionary Library Crawl and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! A diorama is a miniature model with three-dimensional figures. Create a diorama that depicts a scene from the past 250 […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
To celebrate Patriots’ Day, the Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, Lexington, MA, will host its annual Patriots’ Day Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 18 from 6:00 to 10:00 AM in the parish hall. We are located just past the bike path, across from the Lexington Visitor Center. A complete breakfast including pancakes & […]
Presented by the “Backroads of the South Shore,” a consortium of 20 non-profit organizations operating in 12 towns from Weymouth to Plymouth, this year’s South Shore History Symposium will once again feature presentations from five prominent local historians. In keeping with the 250th commemorations of 1776, the symposium will focus on “The Revolution, Independence, and […]
Step inside historic colonial-era homes on this new tour, offered April 18th only! In the 1600s, colonists from England settled an area of the North Shore region of Massachusetts and named their new town after their British one—Andover. Also encompassing the town of North Andover, which was established in the 1850s, the history of the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Road Where It Happened: Revolution Comes to Menotomy, Present Day Arlington • How did prehistoric geological forces create the landscape of Menotomy? • Did the narrow corridor of Battle Road between steep hillsides at the Foot of the Rocks influence the outcome of the American Revolution? • Who were the people of Menotomy who […]
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 […]
Fall River invites families to experience history in motion. Ride to Freedom: A Revolutionary Family Celebration brings together storytelling, hands-on activities, and live reenactments to mark the spirit of Paul Revere’s midnight ride—right here in the Spindle City. Designed for all ages, this event transforms a day out into an interactive journey through the Revolutionary […]
Celebrate Patriots’ Day weekend with the Arlington Historical Society at the historic Jason Russell House & Museum with FREE guided tours, sponsored by Leader Bank. Visitors are invited to explore the site of the largest skirmish of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War and one of Arlington’s most important historic landmarks. Free tours […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
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. […]
Celebrate Patriots’ Day weekend at an indoor beer hall at Arlington Town Hall, featuring craft beer from Arlington Brewing Company. This family-friendly event will include live music, games, and arts and crafts for children. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local businesses. This collaborative event is hosted by the Arlington Historical Society, […]
Much of the common knowledge of the Springfield Armory begins in 1794 when the manufacture of new muskets began. Lesser known is its history as the Continental Arsenal, a military ordnance depot established in 1777 by General Henry Knox, who called the site "one of the most proper spots in America on every account." Join […]
Join us at the Museum of Printing for Andy Volpe’s "Printing Revolution" lecture —press freedom and colonial resistance before Independence. Andy Volpe's "Printing Revolution" presentation, takes a look not only at the printing press and printing technology being considered "revolutionary", but also looking at what was printed. Including the idea of Freedom of the Press, […]
Join Hub Town Tours for a special commemoration of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere that began in Boston on April 18, 1775! We'll travel the Freedom Trail in Downtown Boston and the North End and share the gripping story of a small colonial town careening toward war with the British Empire. This historic walking […]
Step inside historic colonial-era homes on this new tour, offered April 18th only! In the 1600s, colonists from England settled an area of the North Shore region of Massachusetts and named their new town after their British one—Andover. Also encompassing the town of North Andover, which was established in the 1850s, the history of the […]
