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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Get ready for the Revolutionary Library Crawl! Beginning April 21st, visit ten libraries throughout Northeastern MA as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of The American Revolution. Visit an information desk at any of the participating libraries to pick up a crawl passport, complete an activity, and earn a passport stamp. Enjoy unique activities, history, and […]
Jump aboard the 90-minute Revolutionary Line Trolley Tour! Travel back to the night of April 18, 1775, and experience the Redcoats’ march to Lexington and Concord, along with the midnight ride of Paul Revere as he warned residents of Somerville, Medford, and beyond of imminent danger. Hear vivid, hyper-local stories that connect your surroundings to […]
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 […]
Jump aboard the 90-minute Revolutionary Line Trolley Tour! Travel back to the night of April 18, 1775, and experience the Redcoats’ march to Lexington and Concord, along with the midnight ride of Paul Revere as he warned residents of Somerville, Medford, and beyond of imminent danger. Hear vivid, hyper-local stories that connect your surroundings to […]
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. […]
Vocabulary.com describes an “assortment” as “a bunch of different things all together, whether they’re the same sort or not.” “For example,” says Society President and Bedford Town Historian Sharon McDonald, “an assortment of chocolates would be a box of cherry-filled, nut, caramel, coconut, and orange crème candies. Using her engaging story-telling style, McDonald’s “Bedford Assortment” […]
Jump aboard the 90-minute Revolutionary Line Trolley Tour! Travel back to the night of April 18, 1775, and experience the Redcoats’ march to Lexington and Concord, along with the midnight ride of Paul Revere as he warned residents of Somerville, Medford, and beyond of imminent danger. Hear vivid, hyper-local stories that connect your surroundings to […]
Laughter meets revolutionary spirit in BLO’s staging of Donizetti’s glorious comedy. Inspired by the life of Deborah Sampson, the Massachusetts revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for independence, this production transports us to Revolutionary-era Boston, telling a heartfelt tale of love and loyalty to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. With a new English […]
Join Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribal member 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 in a talk about the erasure of Native voices in Sudbury. Expanding on her research on the Indigenous history of the town during its origins, Jasmine will discuss the impact of colonial hero stories and the birth of newfound nationalism even before the period of the Revolutionary […]
Hundreds of flickering candles will create a serene ambiance, offering a magical, immersive escape for the evening. America’s rise to independence coincided with Europe’s own awakening in an age of revolution. Mozart was a practicing Freemason and defended the principles of equality and that music should be accessible for all people. Although he depended on […]
