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 […]
To honor this revolutionary history, we are crafting a free historic statewide event, titled “Brewing the Revolution.” This scavenger hunt will bring participants to historic Revolutionary taverns and brewing sites across the state. The Scavenger hunt will take place from May 24th-June 27th, 2026 and is open to everyone ages 13 and up, free to […]
Inspired by the profound words of the spiritual “Were You There?” this two-day event brings together film, music, and dialogue to illuminate the often-overlooked stories of Black revolutionary women throughout history. Day One: Screening & Conversation A thought-provoking film screening, followed by a lecture and discussion, invites audiences to engage with these narratives and their […]
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 […]
RED SOX TO DISPLAY REPLICA OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT FENWAY PARK Framed Archival Print on Display in the Volvo Royal Rooters Club Today, June 14 through July 4 as Part of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary Celebration The Boston Red Sox today announced that a framed replica of the Declaration of Independence, generously gifted […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
" Lost Liberties - Broken Promises" a yearlong exhibit focusing on the enslaved, indigenous, displaced Loyalists, and veterans of Weston who were on the wrong side of history.
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: […]
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 […]
April 1776. The British army has finally left Boston. Now, nearly a year after his death, friends and family can finally hold a funeral for Dr. Joseph Warren. Inside King’s Chapel, his brother, his fiancée, and his good friend Paul Revere gather to mourn Warren and to make sense of their loss. Outside the Chapel, […]
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 […]
Launched in 1970, Mohawk Trail Concerts has concerts every Saturday evening in the acoustically excellent Charlemont Federated Church. This year to celebrate our nation's birthday, each concert will feature at least one piece by an American composer.
Sunday, June 14 --Roots and Branches: A Panel on the Deep and Revolutionary Soccer History of MA The Franklin Historical Museum is hosting a World Class array of experts to delve into the rich, regional history of soccer, which includes the Oneida Football Club that inaugurated organized "foot ball” of all kinds on American soil […]
Enjoy two days of exclusive access to stunning gardens in greater Newburyport and Amesbury. The Museum of Old Newbury invites you to enjoy this year's Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2026. This year's theme is 250 Years of Growth, an homage to the originality and innovation of American gardens, and […]
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 […]
Visit some of Douglas' Revolutionary War Patriots final resting places and hear thier stories. Special Ceremony by SAR Color Guard at 2pm-3pm. June 14, 2026 with tours at 10:30am, 12noon, 3pm and 4pm. Tours limited to 12 people per group. Location: Douglas Center Cemetery--Rt 16 across from the Douglas Town Common. Parking is available at […]
Visit the final resting places of some of our Revolutionary Patriots, and hear their stories on a walking tour of Historic Douglas Center Cemetery opened in 1746. Tours are 10:30am, 12 noon, 3pm & 4pm With a Patriot Grave marking Ceremony by the CTSSAR at 2:30pm Tickets are required for tours. Douglas Center Cemetery (Rt […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Sunday, June 14 --Roots and Branches: A Panel on the Deep and Revolutionary Soccer History of MA The Franklin Historical Museum is hosting a World Class array of experts to delve into the rich, regional history of soccer, which includes the Oneida Football Club that inaugurated organized "foot ball” of all kinds on American soil […]
On a hot summer evening in 1976, the Cambridge City Council faced a packed hearing room—and a decision that would echo across the globe. At the center of it all stood Mayor Al Vellucci: sharp-tongued, fearless, and ready to take on science itself. The issue? A new biohazard lab designed for groundbreaking recombinant DNA research—celebrated […]
Join the Acton 250 Committee and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area in a play recounting when the Acton Town Meeting put its support behind the proposed Declaration of Independence that took place on June 14th, 1776. Based on historical research, Acton, along with several communities, will take part in this series commemorating the momentum behind […]
The community is invited to the Flag Sojourn 250 ceremony on National Flag Day, Sunday, June 14th, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Plimoth Patuxet is hosting the ceremony on the pier of the Mayflower II on Water Street in Plymouth, Mass. The special U.S. flag used in this ceremony has traveled to every U.S. cemetery overseas, […]
Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street 250 years ago, their descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This free, all-ages event is marking its fifth year in 2025! Denise Washington (#Pop-Up Poetry Series), a descendant of Darby Vassall, has curated […]
On a hot summer evening in 1976, the Cambridge City Council faced a packed hearing room—and a decision that would echo across the globe. At the center of it all stood Mayor Al Vellucci: sharp-tongued, fearless, and ready to take on science itself. The issue? A new biohazard lab designed for groundbreaking recombinant DNA research—celebrated […]
