Concord 4th of July
Old North Bridge Old North Bridge, Concord, MA, United StatesConcord Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Concord Reading of the Declaration of Independence
The Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston, MA is a cherished tradition that brings history to life. Held annually, this event gathers crowds in historic locations such as Faneuil Hall or the Old State House to witness the powerful words of the founding document being recited. With passionate speakers and a reverent atmosphere, this reading commemorates the spirit of liberty and serves as a reminder of the ideals that shaped the nation's journey towards independence.
4th of July Parade and Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Declaring Independence, Then and Now
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Powder Alarm, the Somerville Museum is partnering with the City of Somerville to produce a re-enactment of the historic event, followed by a living history fair. The fair will include docent tours of the Powder House, activity tables, and even a scavenger hunt of the park! The re-enactment […]
This year marks the Bicentennial celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of the United States! Throughout his yearlong tour of all 24 states, Americans honored Lafayette with a parade and great fanfare at almost every stop he made. Local craftspeople also produced many types of commemorative memorabilia, such as the pictured drum, baby […]
On Saturday, September 7th at 10am in the Old Burying Ground join the Arlington 250th Committee and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot during the unveiling and commemoration of the memorial to the fallen British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Menotomy on April 19th, 1775. Welcome Angela Olszewski Co-Chair, Arlington […]
Learn about Marbleheaders during the Revolutionary War and visit various historic sites in town during this weekend-long event. Pick up a program book and experience Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various sites in the Historic District. Meet the wife of war hero, James Mugford; explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s Regiment; meet diarist Ashley Bowen portrayed by […]
On October 7, 1774, ninety chosen representatives met at Salem in defiance of General Gage’s order. They elected John Hancock to serve as chairman. They resolved to form themselves into “a Provincial Congress...to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures […]
The 2024 Massachusetts Provincial Congress “Exploring Democracy – Our Rights and Our Responsibilities” October 11, 2024 9:30am – 4:30pm First Parish in Concord and The Wright Tavern *Register here to attend* In October 1774, the political conflict between Great Britain and Massachusetts reached a crisis. Parliament enacted the “Intolerable Acts” to punish the province for […]
Commemorating a milestone of the American Revolution, January 1, 1776, when General Washington raised a new American flag over the highest point of the American fortifications surrounding the then-occupied City of Boston. Featuring a procession from City Hall in Somerville to Prospect Hill Park, followed by an hour-long program of activities. Numerous city officials, the […]
Join us for a special ceremony commemorating Samuel Whittemore. Learn the story of Whittemore’s courageous acts on April 19, 1775 as the oldest known combatant in the entire Revolutionary War! Remarks at his monument in Whittemore Park will be followed by an open house and refreshments in the Dallin Museum and Cutter Gallery. This program […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of “Leslie’s Retreat,” a pivotal moment that marked Salem’s first stand against British authority and helped spark the American Revolution. On February 26, 1775, just weeks before the shots at Lexington and Concord, Salem witnessed what could have been the first battle of the American Revolution. When […]
Celebrate History with us! The Revolution Ball is a colonial dress/black tie evening of live music, dancing, food, and drinks. The event celebrates the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Leslie's Retreat from the Salem gunpowder raid of 1775. In February of 1775, Colonel Alexander Leslie and his British regulars were sent to raid the […]
The Acton 250 Committee presents Acton’s celebrated historians Anne Forbes, Bill Klauer and Bob Pion who will discuss recent learnings of Acton’s Black residents in honor African American History Month. Black citizens were among the residents here when Acton first became a Town in 1735, and several fought in the Revolution at the Concord Bridge […]
Historian J.L. Bell will tell the thrilling story of Leslie's Retreat, the first armed resistance to the British crown, and its connections to Marblehead. On Sunday, February 26, 1775, about 250 British soldiers marched through Marblehead, sent by the royal governor to search for weapons. When that column of redcoats stalled at a drawbridge in […]
Join us for a ceremonial lighting of the Concord250 Lantern, a 10-foot-tall commemorative lantern inspired by the historic signal light of April 19, 1775 housed today in the Concord Museum. The community lighting will take place on the grounds of the Museum where together we will light the way toward liberty and justice for all. […]
Concord-Carlisle High School & Lexington High School Bands present 250th Celebration Concert; working title: Sound Revolutions Including world premieres of new works commissioned to commemorate this historic occasion CCHS Auditorium, March 4th, 7pm Details coming soon
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, Essex County entered a wartime phase that included creating minute-man companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
The producers of From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and The Story of America the Beautiful are pleased to announce a Premiere screening of the film on March 13, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Falmouth Public Library. Writer and Director, John de Graaf, Bates’s biographer Melinda Ponder, and local author Leonard Miele will […]
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds Historic Newton celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Join us in exploring what life was like in 18th-century New England. Reenactors will scatter the museum exhibits and grounds to create an immersive experience of revolutionary life. Guests can participate in hands-on period-specific activities and listen to reenactors debate politics, […]
Join Paul Revere (as portrayed by Michael Lepage) by fireside at the Wayside Inn for a spirited review of the notoriously inaccurate Longfellow poem that immortalized his Midnight Ride. Heavy hors d’oeuvres included with the price of a ticket. Drinks available for purchase at the bar. Tickets $25.00 via Resi: https://resy.com/cities/sudbury-ma/venues/longfellows-wayside-inn/events/paul-revere-fireside-chat-2025-03-20?seats=2&date=2025-03-07 Members of The Wayside […]
Showcasing the creative energy of quilters near and far, Quilts 250 will display as many as 250 quilts that visually express through fabric and thread themes related to our country’s founding and evolution and the dynamic range of quilting arts in the last 250 years. The show is sponsored by the Concord 250 Celebrations Committee […]
Throughout February and March of 1775, the people of Massachusetts were preparing for war. The Provincial Congress organized a network of intelligence to monitor the British Army and the military supplies throughout the province. Aware of the rebel operations, the British Army conducted military intelligence missions into the Massachusetts countryside. These efforts would see moments […]
The Evacuation Day Cruise is a two-hour excursion through the Boston Harbor that tells the story of the Siege of Boston (June 1775 to March 1776). Park rangers will provide historical narration of events as we pass key landmarks, all while navigating the waters the British used to evacuate town. The trip will begin at […]
Join historian Patrick Browne as he explores the tension and resistance to British rule in Duxbury and on the South Shore of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period. This talk will be held in person and broadcast online. Dr Browne will highlight the unique loyalty of Duxbury's neighbor Marshfield to the Crown, including its request for […]
Join us for a special Sunday afternoon tea party at the Museum of Old Newbury to explore a tea mystery. For generations, Newburyporters claimed to have been the first to protest onerous British tariffs by destroying tea imported from British India. Before Sam Adams's band dunked that tea in Boston harbor, as the Clipper City's […]
In observance of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, Norumbega Harmony, a vocal group specializing in early American shape-note music since 1976, will present a concert of the era’s patriotic and religious tunes. Songs by William Billings of Boston, along with his associates Oliver Holden of Charlestown, Daniel Read of Connecticut, […]
Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution. On the morning of April 19, 1775, colonial militia and British Regulars exchanged the “shot heard ’round the world” on Lexington Green, marking the very beginning of America’s fight for […]
Two hundred years ago, on 19 April 1775, American history changed. Colonial forces faced the British army at Lexington & Concord … and won. Word spread rapidly, and two regiments of Plymouth “Minute Men,” led by Colonel Theophilus Cotton, rallied to the Patriot cause. For the next six years, Plymoutheans participated in America’s battle for […]
Groton Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary! Take a walk back in time and discover Groton’s contributions to America’s independence, the battles in Concord, MA, and Boston’s Bunker Hill. Program Schedule 1 p.m. Minutemen with Fife & Drum Gather on the Minuteman Common, Groton Center 2 p.m. Joshua Vollmar Lecture at Lawrence Academy (Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center) […]
Two hundred years ago, on 19 April 1775, American history changed. Colonial forces faced the British army at Lexington & Concord … and won. Word spread rapidly, and two regiments of Plymouth “Minute Men,” led by Colonel Theophilus Cotton, rallied to the Patriot cause. For the next six years, Plymoutheans participated in America’s battle for […]
What better way to honor the generation of 1775 than to enjoy the ales and ciders many of them drank to drown out the latest outrages from Great Britain? Brandeis Professor Dan Breen will deliver a captivating lecture on New England's tavern culture and its relevance to the Revolution. Discover how long-gone or remarkably remaining […]
The Battles of Lexington and Concord erupted on April 19, 1775, pitting the brave Massachusetts militia against the formidable British forces. This confrontation followed the dramatic Midnight Rides and the urgent Lexington Alarm, which mobilized the countryside in preparation for the impending advance of British troops toward Concord. Tensions reached a breaking point when British […]
Join us for Woburn’s Historic Battle Road Celebration! This special event will honor the courage and legacy of Woburn’s Minutemen, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. We will unveil a new monument along Battle Road to commemorate Woburn’s important contributions to the Revolutionary War. Stay tuned for more details […]
Visit the Nathan Meriam witness house and talk with costumed park staff about the Meriam family and the importance of the crossroad near their home on April 19, 1775. In the early afternoon of that fateful day, Militia soldiers arriving from Reading, Chelmsford, and Billerica attacked retreating British soldiers near this home. From Meriam’s Corner […]
Join us as we commemorate Woburn’s rich Revolutionary War history with the unveiling of the new Battle Road Memorial Area! This special event will honor the brave men of Woburn who marched on April 19, 1775, with a brand-new monument, interpretive signage, and a dedicated space for reflection. Event Highlights: – Monument Dedication – Honoring […]
Join the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) for a free community open house commemorating 250 years since Boston printer and patriot Isaiah Thomas brought his printing press and newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy, to Worcester--a move that helped shape the American Revolution. Thomas's original eighteenth-century press, which he named "no. 1," is housed at AAS, the national […]
“LISTEN my children, and you shall hear. Of the midnight ride of…” Samuel Prescott? On the evening of April 12, 2025 join National Park Rangers as we commemorate and explore the true story of the famous midnight ride 250 years ago. On April 19th 1775 a midnight alarm spread across Massachusetts about the impending march […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
On April 19th, 1775 a contingent of about 120, British Soldiers marched over the North Bridge to Barrett’s farm in search of military arms and supplies. During this open house program explore the interior of this 319 year old home, talk with park staff about military preparations in 1775, and learn the story of Rebeckah […]
This special event will open the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library's newest gallery exhibition, “Protest & Promise: The American Revolution in Lexington." This exhibition explores how ordinary Lexingtonians protested for their rights and helped fuel the movement for American independence, as well as how the choices made at Lexington in 1775 became an important […]
The Museum of Our National Heritage opened on April 20, 1975. The museum, now known as the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, was a Bicentennial gift to the nation from the Scottish Rite Freemasons of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Join us on Sunday, April 13, 2025, to kick off the museum's 50th anniversary celebration! […]
Embark on an exclusive culinary revolution! The Inn at Hastings Park, Boston area's only Relais & Châteaux property located in historic Lexington, MA, and Executive Chef Alissa Tsukakoshi, in partnership with the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs of Boston a modern eight-course paired menu inspired by Colonial flavors, honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution Chaîne […]
Exhibition: April 14 - June 14, 2025 Opening Reception April 14, 6 p.m. The Umbrella Arts Center in historic Concord Center will commemorate the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution and “the shot heard round the world” with an ambitious outdoor/indoor public and gallery art exhibition, Weaving an Address, curated by artist Marla McLeod. For the […]
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the “two if by sea” lantern signal, Lanterns & Luminaries 2025 will be a unique event filled with commemoration, inspiration, and celebration. Filmmaker Ken Burns will accept the Third Lantern Award, which is presented annually to an individual who embodies the values symbolized in Old North Church’s iconic […]
Join the Acton 250 Committee for this 21+ after-hours event celebrating the Acton Minutemen! We will be featuring the Acton 250 Isaac Davis Brown Ale from Dirigible Brewing, food and more! FREE ADMISSION! Acton 250 Merchandise will also be available for purchase. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank with support from the Discovery Museum. For more […]
Event starts at 6 PM until 8:30 PM at the Discovery Museum, Acton. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank and the Discovery Museum. A 21+ event celebrating Acton’s Minute Men. Featuring light apps and Acton 250 Committee’s Isaac Davis Brown Ale in collaboration with Dirigible Brewing Company, Littleton, MA. 6:45 Presentation 1, on Upper Floor: The […]
Chelsea artist Max Pro explores personal and cultural ties between Chelsea and the Caribbean in a compelling presentation on the history of Cuba. The Cary family, whose historic home serves as the backdrop for this event, lived in Chelsea while also overseeing plantations in Grenada and other Caribbean islands. Their story is intertwined with the […]
As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield we invite you to come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of the soldiers who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of […]
Join Paul Revere House staff people as they review the story of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride on the 250th anniversary of his now famous adventure. Learn new angles to the story that you may have never learned in school and discover how the humble silversmith became famous long after his death at the venerable age […]
Lexington was preparing for battle long before British soldiers arrived on April 19th, 1775. The day before, Paul Revere and William Dawes, fellow Sons of Liberty, rode hard from Boston, arriving in town just before midnight. Their destination: the home of Reverend Jonas Clarke, cousin to patriot leader John Hancock. Their mission: To warn John […]
Join Hub Town Tours for a special commemoration of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere that began on April 18, 1775. We will travel the iconic Freedom Trail through Downtown Boston and explore the gripping story of a small colonial town careening toward war with the British Empire. This historic walking tour highlights Boston's principal […]
Samuel Prescott, it is thought, arrived in Acton, after alarming and leaving Concord, where he awoke Captain Joseph Robbins, one of Acton’s militia leaders, at about 3 in the morning of the 19th. Upon hearing the news, Captain Robbins had his 13-year-old son saddle up their horse, whereupon the young boy took off with (or […]
Encounter Paul and Rachel Revere in their home as he prepares to depart on his Midnight Ride. Tour the museum’s Visitor Center, where museum staff will share the full story of Revere’s adventures on April 18, 1775. This Open House is FREE but admissions will be limited by the space constraints of the historic home. […]
On the evening of April 18, 2025, Boston will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary Midnight Ride, a pivotal moment in American history. Through immersive activities, participants can engage directly with historic and cultural sites in the North End and Charlestown to be a part of Boston’s revolutionary legacy. Follow Paul Revere’s departure […]
Join Ghlee Woodworth and Bethany Groff Dorau for a fascinating journey through history as we explore the Old Hill Burying Ground. Discover the stories of the men and women who played a vital role in the Revolutionary War. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the past and uncover the secrets buried in this historic […]
To kick off Boston’s Patriots’ Day weekend celebrations in partnership with the City of Boston, Old North Illuminated will stage a free reading of the hit play Revolution’s Edge behind Old North Church on Paul Revere Mall. Mayor Michelle Wu and other local officials will attend the play and give remarks to commemorate this historic […]
The Old North Church is offering a traditional Lantern Service on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:00pm in honor of the 250th anniversary of the “two if by sea” signal from the church’s steeple on the eve of the American Revolution. Dr. Heather Cox Richardson, acclaimed author and professor of history at Boston College, will […]
All are invited to the Battle Green on Friday evening, April 18th to honor those who perished in the Battle of Lexington 250 years ago. This brief commemoration will be part of the annual Good Friday Procession which will commence from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam Street at approximately 8:15 pm. The eight […]
Join fellow history lovers for a pre-dawn journey to the 250th-anniversary reenactment of the "shot heard `round the world" - the battles of Concord & Lexington! Following the 6 a.m. reenactment (the actual time these events occurred in 1775), enjoy a hearty breakfast on historic Lexington Green. Options include a plated breakfast at the iconic […]
The Lexington Minute Men will conduct the 250th Anniversary Reenactment of the Civilian Evacuation of the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Lexington on the Lexington Battle Green on Saturday, April 19, 2025. According to the Lexington History Museums, on the night of April 18, 1775, over 700 British soldiers were sent from Boston […]
On this day celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the Inn at Hastings Park’s Town Meeting Bistro will be offering a special Patriot’s Day buffet and á la carte Champagne brunch. Available from after the Battle of Lexington reenactment and before the Town of Lexington’s Patriots’ Day parade. 6 a.m. – 12 […]
The Lexington Visitors Center is holding extended hours on Saturday April 19 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. During this time, the Center will be open for anyone looking to purchase unique Lexington gift items, view our famed diorama depicting the Battle of Lexington, and explore history of the U.S.S Lexington.
April 19 Patriot’ Day: 6 a.m.: Dawn Salute (Muster at Buttrick Hillside at 5:45am, 6am Dawn Salute) 8:30 a.m.: Parade Begins 9:30 a.m.: North Bridge Ceremony MID-DAY: Parade Ends 1 - 7:30 p.m.: Concord250 Block Party Concord Museum: Free admission all day Minute Man National Historical Park events happening all day 7:30 - 8:45 p.m.: […]
APRIL 19 PATRIOTS’ DAY: 6:00AM: DAWN SALUTE (Muster at Buttrick Hillside at 5:45am, 6am Dawn Salute) 8:30AM: PARADE BEGINS 9:30AM: NORTH BRIDGE CEREMONY MID-DAY: PARADE ENDS 1-7:30PM: CONCORD250 BLOCK PARTY CONCORD MUSEUM: Free admission all day MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK events happening all day 7:30-8:45PM: CONCORD250 “PATRIOTS LIGHT, including DRONE SHOW at 8:15PM Visit […]
250 years ago Needham residents helped repel British attacks on Lexington and Concord. The Needham Militia’s 12.6 mile march to join the battle started at the Townsend Green (Nehoiden and Central Ave) and ended in Arlington by the Jason Russell House (which still stands). The fighting in Arlington was some of the heaviest of the […]
Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution. On the morning of April 19, 1775, colonial militia and British Regulars exchanged the “shot heard ’round the world” on Lexington Green, marking the very beginning of America’s fight for […]
This is the signature living history event at Minute Man National Historical Park, featuring hundreds of volunteer reenactors. Throughout the day, learn about the events of April 19, 1775, from many points of view. Enjoy a full schedule of living history programs and demonstrations, including a fast-paced tactical demonstration along a restored stretch of the […]
Old Parish Preservation Volunteers (OPPV) of Norwood, Massachusetts will be hosting a ceremony in Old Parish Cemetery on Saturday, April 19, 2025 beginning at 10:00 am. This event will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the sixty men from South Dedham (now Norwood) who answered the alarm of April 19, 1775. Twenty of these men are […]
On Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m., East Longmeadow will celebrate the anniversary of the American Revolution with a ceremony on the lawn in front of Town Hall. The American Legion will parade from their Legion Hall and the Historical Commission will remember the minutemen who lived in what would become our town and others […]
Hosted by the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this public ceremony will include a tree dedication service, U.S. Flag rituals, patriotic music by the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps, and participation by the Lexington Minute Men.
The Agawam Historical Association will host an 18th century encampment and militia muster with the 25th Continental Regiment and Green Valley Homestead reenactment groups at the historic Thomas Smith House, 251 North West Street, Feeding Hills on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the […]
11 a.m. Children’s Workshop in the Meeting House Hat making. Children (and others) will make paper tri-cornered hats and be given a “Capt. Bancroft’s Company” flag. Demonstrations by reenactors during this time. 12:40 p.m. The story of Martin Herrick and the Lynn End Militia. 12:45 p.m. The arrival of Martin Herrick Immediately following: March to […]
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