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 Hinghamโs residentsโ white and Black, free and enslavedโ 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 โ 1795), he became a cautionary tale for any […]
Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) โ one of the only women to found a worldwide religion โ 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 communityโwomen, men, black, white, young, old, enslaved, and freeโhelped 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 […]
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 fashionโs relationship with class, race, and gender, Dressing the Revolution: Fashion and Politics 1760โ1789 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 […]
๐๐บ๐ต๐ฉ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐บ: ๐๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ฆ๐ท๐ฐ๐ญ๐ถ๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ brings together material from Historic New Englandโs 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 […]
Join us for MA250: Harbor of Courage, commemorating the first naval engagement of the American Revolution and one of Massachusettsโ defining moments. Set on Fairhavenโs scenic waterfront, this event will bring history to life with: - A Revolutionary War encampment showcasing period life - Food trucks offering treats and bites for all ages - Cannon […]
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 […]
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 cityโs untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary. […]
The Boston Tea Party Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will host an America 250! commemoration on May 17, 2026, honoring Captain James Mugford and the Continental schooner "Franklin." In May 1776, Captain Mugford captured the British powder ship Hope, securing 1,500 barrels of gunpowder for the Continental Army. Two days later, […]
A New Date for Our Annual Parade Mark Sunday, May 17 on your calendars for the 250th Anniversary Salute to Service Parade. This year, we moved the date a week ahead to Armed Services Weekend. We are excited to share that this yearโs parade will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration […]
๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ธ by Peter Abair The Kingโs troops march. Villagers are awakened in the night. A people are torn from their mother country. History comes alive, as Peter Abair, Sudbury author of the novel โEach Hath a Hand,โ shares the stories of the people and events that swept both sides to a […]
