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 […]
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 […]
This exhibit gives guests an opportunity to learn how the Revolutionary War played out in Amherst - directly from the voices of the residents who lived through it. Through primary source documents, the exhibit brings visitors on a journey from the Declaration of Independence in Amherst to the stirrings of revolution and eventual outbreak of […]
We believe Frederick Douglass’ words belong in public spaces. Every year we provide grants to support readings of his influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in town squares, community centers, churches, museums, libraries, parks, and more. This year, we’re proud to share that a record-high 76 readings will take place across […]
In Hatfield's oldest cemetery, the Hill Burying Ground, are 217 graves of people who were living in Hatfield during the Revolutionary War. Each one has been flagged with their name and age, including the handful of babies born in 1776 or before the war ended in 1783. This is an on-going installation, and will be […]
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 […]
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.
A silver bowl. 17-foot-wide painted room divider. A charismatic silversmith considering his craft. A towering mahogany desk and bookcase. Certain paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and works on paper from the MFA’s Art of the Americas art collection, along with the artists who created them, played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the […]
A 25-minute live performance explores how music carried revolutionary ideas through taverns, homes, and meetinghouses across New England—often faster and with greater impact than the written word. A cast of musicians, joined by a Massachusetts Minuteman storyteller, will perform songs from the Revolutionary era with a contemporary folk-rock twist, highlighting enduring themes of liberty, resistance, […]
Visitors will step into a rural Massachusetts community and meet six Revolutionary-era residents—a printer, housemaid, lawyer, shopkeeper, tavern keeper, and farmer’s wife—each navigating the growing conflict in their own way. To make the experience even more immersive, guests will have an opportunity to learn about a specific person and build their own character, allowing them […]
The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality […]
This isn’t just any Fourth of July—2026 marks 250 years since the American Revolution ignited… and Fairhaven is marching straight into history. Join us for a truly historic celebration as we honor America’s birthday and Fairhaven’s Revolutionary legacy with our annual Fourth of July Parade & Cannon Ceremony, part of the statewide MA250 commemoration. PARADE […]
This year Williamstown celebrates on Friday AND Saturday (July 3 and 4). The fun kicks off Friday at Williamstown Historical Museum with family activities, food, exhibits, and performances featuring Barrington Stage Company, Green Mountain Boys family-friendly demos, Berkshire Fife & Drum Corp, Flatbed Jazz Band, special tours, and more. Continue across the road at Waubeeka […]
Plymouth’s Annual 4th of July parade’s theme for 2026 is 250 Years & Beyond to celebrate our country’s birth. The day begins with the parade starting from Mayflower Business Park in North Plymouth to Plymouth Rock, with an Patriotic evening concert with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra and finishing with fireworks over Plymouth harbor at dusk. […]
Did you know the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in Boston for the first time by a Boston Tea Party Participant? Join interpreters of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for a daily reading of the sacred founding document. Wednesday, July, 1st through Sunday, July, 5th at 9:05am.
Join us in celebration of Independence Day! Experience fife and drum music, cannon demonstrations (weather permitting), performances, and a parade. Make a tri-corner hat, hear special readings of poetry and the Declaration of Independence, play games, marvel at the work of our skilled artisans and tradespeople, and more! Also, be sure to visit the Richardson […]
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 […]
Visitors can enjoy free admission to the Museum on the Fourth of July and enjoy special family activities and food trucks. Hear a gallery talk on with Museum staff on the Revolution and its legacy at 12pm. Visitors will: -See the original Paul Revere lantern and dozens of objects that witnessed the founding of our […]
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 […]
Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage […]
If you will be in the Boston area for July 4, we hope you’ll join us for our annual Independence Day celebration! Throughout the day, there will be dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence in the sanctuary, complete with booing and hissing at the mention of the king. In our courtyard, the delightful musical […]
The public is invited to join the Freemasons of West Boylston, MA as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, America’s 250th birthday and the beginning of our nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations. Bring your family to this outdoor event before your other celebrations (Rain or Shine) to hear a […]
All are welcome to read a part in this year's Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence, the document that led to the formation of these United States. Please arrive at the Rotary Pavilion at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers by 10:30 if you wish to participate. Reading begins at 11:00 a.m. Sponsored by […]
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 […]
Lend your voice to these live public readings of the Declaration of Independence 250 years after it was adopted. The 11 a.m. reading will be under the tent on the Peace field grounds. The 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. readings will be held at the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill, the Adamses’ home during the […]
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 […]
Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. • Community picnic - BYOB (Bring Your Own Basket) • Reading of the Declaration of Independence • Archeological dig at the Thomas Smith House • Dedication of time capsule • Bell ringing at 2 pm - BYOB (Bring […]
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 […]
The Amherst Historical Society will be presenting a communal reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon on Saturday, July 4th from the steps of the Amherst Town Hall. The event will be marked by the ringing of church bells throughout the town at noon, followed by a summoning of the community to Town Hall […]
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. […]
Mayor Tom Koch & the City of Quincy proudly invite residents and visitors alike to celebrate Quincy’s rich maritime heritage in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Held along the Marina Bay Boardwalk, the Quincy Maritime Festival returns as a free, family-friendly Independence Day weekend celebration showcasing the City’s deep connection to the sea, shipbuilding, and […]
Lend your voice to these live public readings of the Declaration of Independence 250 years after it was adopted. The 11 a.m. reading will be under the tent on the Peace field grounds. The 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. readings will be held at the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill, the Adamses’ home during the […]
Lend your voice to these live public readings of the Declaration of Independence 250 years after it was adopted. The 11 a.m. reading will be under the tent on the Peace field grounds. The 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. readings will be held at the Adams Farm at Penn’s Hill, the Adamses’ home during the […]
Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the "Big Dig"—and concludes at Fan Pier in […]
This dramatic presentation, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. Across the colonies, and particularly in Massachusetts, towns debated what freedom meant to them, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in […]
Celebrate July 4th with the Boston Pops and maestro Keith Lockhart and special guest stars. 2026 marks the 51st year of the Fireworks Spectacular and Lockhart’s 30th anniversary as Pops conductor. This event is free and open to the public.
See the City of Fall River, MA fireworks display in honor of the 4th of July from the deck of the USS Massachusetts (BB-59). Tickets are $15.00 per child ages 4-12 and $18.00 per adult ages 13+ (price does not include Fare Harbor processing fees). Gates open at 7:00 PM. All guests will need to […]
