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 […]
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 […]
To mark the 250th anniversaries of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States, a coalition of local non-profits and government agencies will present Washington in American Memory, a seven-part speaker series. Explore the 19th century origins of preservation at Mount Vernon, current conservation work, and the estate’s future, featuring: -Doug Bradburn, President […]
Legal scholar Gerard Magliocca explores Justice Robert H. Jackson’s landmark concurring opinion in the Steel Seizure Case, illuminating its enduring framework for presidential power. This forum connects constitutional history to current debates, examining how Jackson’s analysis continues to shape limits on executive authority in times of crisis. Members Free | $10 Non-Members | Free Virtual
A panel discussion with the organizers behind Kurt Russell’s visit to Arlington, exploring how the Hollywood actor and descendant of Jason Russell came to rediscover his family’s connection to the Jason Russell House, site of the largest skirmish of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.
Join us for the compelling story of the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the hundreds of civilians trapped inside Boston. Regardless of their political allegiance, these non-combatants faced a daily struggle to secure supplies to support their families, avoid the abuses of His Majesty’s forces and protect their personal and real […]
Join us for the compelling story of the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the hundreds of civilians trapped inside Boston. Regardless of their political allegiance, these non-combatants faced a daily struggle to secure supplies to support their families, avoid the abuses of His Majesty’s forces and protect their personal and real […]
Free, virtual program; registration required About the Author: Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and a Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Marla Miller's primary research interest is U.S. women's work before industrialization. Her book The Needle's Eye: Women and Work in the Age […]
For lovers of history and great storytelling, this event will take you to the outbreak of the American Revolution in April of 1775. What compelled the British government to send troops to Massachusetts? What drove the people of Massachusetts to rise against London's authority? What would you do if the alarm bells were sounding in […]
It is often said that the army marches on its stomach and it’s just as true during the 18th century as it is today. But how was the army supplied with that food? How was it cooked/processed? And what ways did the food that housewives cooked/processed/preserved in their homes support the Continental Army as it […]
Join the student artists featured in the new special exhibition Revolutionary Legacies, along with Curator David Wood and Curator and Director of Exhibitions Christie Jackson, for a gallery talk at 11:30 am on May 1. Free with Museum admission. Members visit free.
The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth and the Yarmouth Senior Center invite you to meet five leading historians and authors from the Cape and Islands Historians Committee, for a lively roundtable discussion, based on their recent book, "The Revolutionary War on Cape Cod and the Islands." Moderated by Steven Flack (Co-Chair HSOY Programs), we’ll explore […]
Join Sara Georgini, Series Editor, Papers of John Adams, for a gallery talk on the exhibition From Yorktown to the Hotel d’York: Winning Peace. Visitors are invited to explore the rest of the exhibition and ask questions. Attendance is free. Please visit here to register: https://www.masshist.org/events/gallery-talk-may-1-2026
Join us at Goats To Go farm in Georgetown , MA for a morning of history, community, and adorable goats! This is a fundraiser and all ticket sales will be going to the Georgetown Historical Society. Start your morning with a Goat Social + Breakfast Charcuterie Board, enjoying delicious bites while meeting our playful goats. […]
In celebration of America250, the Sudbury Historical Society (SHS) will proudly present the Sudbury Witness House Tour on Saturday, May 2nd! Experience some of the oldest homes in Sudbury that witnessed 1776: the momentous year of the ratification of the United States Declaration of Independence and one that recalls the town spirit in Sudbury through […]
The American Revolution comes to life during this year’s Liberty Pole Day reenactment featuring Col. Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment and the Middlesex County 4‑H Fife & Drum Corps. The program honors America’s 250th with a tribute to the Alden House’s role in the Revolution. Visitors are invited to step back in time to explore a […]
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 GNBCS for a glorious afternoon of American music in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! This year’s spring concert at the beautiful Grace Episcopal Church will include classical selections such as Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” and Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts,” spirituals and Americana songs such as “Down in […]
The award-winning historical performance ensemble Musicians of the Old Post Road presents "Ben Franklin's Musical Curiosity." Delve into the fascinating history of Franklin’s musical circles, both at home in America and in Paris at the soirées of composer Anne Brillon de Jouy. Enjoy an alluring bouquet of songs and instrumental works! Program includes songs by […]
Join local historian Tom Ragusa and DCR staff for a FREE guided hike along the Great Road, “Ye Trodden Path”—or the Knox Trail in Otis State Forest. Meet at the Upper Spectacle Pond Dam on Webb Road in Sandisfield, MA, 1 mile off Cold Spring Road. In Colonial times, the Great Road connected Springfield and […]
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight for a compelling forum on the evolving meaning of American independence. Drawing on his scholarship on Frederick Douglass, Blight will explore how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have been interpreted and contested over time. Professor Blight will discuss Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is […]
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, visitors are invited to handwrite the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution in the Courtyard of the Central Library, in Copley Square. This program aims to create time and a quiet space to reflect and deepen one's understanding of these historic documents. All […]
An estimated 300 houses survive in Marblehead, MA from before the time of the American Revolution (even if modified by later generations) out of perhaps 525 or so that existed as the war began, when Marblehead was still the sixth most populous metropolis in British North America. And because it is estimated that more than […]
A chocolate mill opened in Boston in the late 1700s, setting the stage for New England’s enduring love affair with sweets. Over the following centuries, the region has become home to an extraordinary variety of baked, fried, dipped, sugared, and frozen confections. Massachusetts gave us candy classics like Necco Wafers, Sky Bars, and Junior Mints. […]
How to Feed an Army "In search of a bit of gravy" with food historian Stacy Booth ~ How was the Continental Army was supplied with food? ~ How was food cooked and processed? ~ How was it different from what soldiers ate at home? ~ How was their diet and and food production different […]
Join a member of the Adams Papers staff for a gallery talk on the exhibition 1776: Declaring Independence. Visitors are invited to explore the rest of the exhibition and ask questions. Attendance is free. Please visit here to register: https://www.masshist.org/events/gallery-talk-may-8-2026
Join Sandwich Glass Museum Curator, Bonnie Lilienfeld, for an inside look at the role glass played in the life of Yarmouth colonists, including the lesser-known glass tax imposed on them along with the famous tax on tea!
Join the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth and Sandwich Glass Museum Curator, Bonnie Lilienfeld, for an inside look at the role glass played in the life of Yarmouth colonists, including the lesser-known glass tax imposed on them along with the famous tax on tea!
Join author Karen Warfield as she presents a glimpse at life in colonial times here in Agawam. Beginning with a dramatization of a young colonial woman, Karen will introduce us to her historical fiction novel which begins in Agawam, MA and meanders through Hartford, CT and down to the area of Gales Ferry. The book […]
Join author Karen Warfield as she presents a glimpse at life in colonial times here in Agawam. Beginning with a dramatization of a young colonial woman, Karen will introduce us to her historical fiction novel which begins in Agawam, MA and meanders through Hartford, CT and down to the area of Gales Ferry. The book […]
Historian Beverly Gage discusses This Land Is Your Land, a sweeping examination of American democracy, protest, and power. Drawing on vivid stories and deep research, Gage traces how struggles over rights, belonging, and national identity have shaped the nation and why those struggles continue to matter today. Supported in part by Mass Humanities. Members Free […]
Experience the untold stories of courage and conviction from five remarkable women who witnessed and shaped the American Revolution. Presented by Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions. Step back in time and discover the untold stories of five courageous women – both patriot and loyalist, both American and foreign-born – who witnessed, chronicled, and in some […]
Well-known local author Sally Cabot Gunning celebrates colonial women in this anniversary year.
Educational Programming delivered in first person (Sandy IS Martha Washington, as if it were 1784): Spend time with Mrs. Washington as she completes dressing for her day in this interactive and informative program. During the time together, Mrs. Washington will share news of her family, and how the current events that her husband is so […]
Join the Braintree Historical Society for the third of it spring lecture series where Chris Griffin will introduce us to King George III, the country's last king.
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 honor of America’s 250th anniversary and Boston’s celebration, join us for special fireside chats in our lobby with Historian Daniel Berger-Jones, a prominent Boston-based storyteller and reenactor who founded the Boston History Company. Daniel specializes in bringing local history to life through interactive, theatrical walking tours, lectures, and podcasts. Gather to recount tales of […]
Join us for MA250: Harbor of Courage, commemorating the first naval engagement of the American Revolution and one of Massachusetts’ defining moments. Set on Fairhaven’s 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 […]
Step inside historic colonial-era homes on this new tour, offered May 16th only! When it comes to colonial America, Plymouth, Massachusetts, needs no introduction. A bedrock community of the New World, it is a must-see place to explore some of the country's earliest architecture. Today, it is the largest town in the Bay State, with […]
Join us on a ride through the historic towns of Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Bedford, and Carlisle on the second annual Paul Revere’s Bike Ride for the Concord Museum. Starting at the Concord Museum near the historic town center, cyclists can choose to ride a 19 or 32 mile loop on paved roads, passing many Revolutionary […]
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 […]
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 […]
The American Revolution has been contested since its very beginning. During the Revolution, contemporaries looking to understand what independence meant had to shift through disinformation and journalism rife with as many opinions as today. In the war's aftermath, narratives of the Revolution went through continuous reinterpretations in response to political and social changes. From the […]
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through an art-making opportunity, reflect on what the document means 250 years later and how the American Revolution relates to other protest movements and revolutions that have occurred in the United States. We will have supplies available to use and staff […]
Join Revolutionary War reenactor Steve Joanis to learn about what 18th century soldiers wore and how the uniform changed over time. After this presentation, you'll have a better idea of: Revolutionary War soldiers' clothing & how it changed during the war What's in an 18th century soldier's pack What they carried
Soldiers & Sailors is a historical narrative that offers a local perspective on the American Revolution, featuring images by South Dennis artist Howard Bonington and others. Researched and written by Diane Rochelle of the Dennis Historical Commission, the book includes an appendix of brief biographies of East Precinct Patriots buried in Dennis cemeteries, accompanied by […]
GLOBALIZING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION May 21, 2026, 4pm When we think of the American Revolution, we often picture a parochial drama: thirteen colonies squaring off against the British Crown in a spirited bid for independence. But this version of the story is only half the truth—and perhaps not even the most interesting half. In this […]
Join the Boston Public Library's Special Collections for a talk from scholar Dr. Leon Jackson entitled David Walker’s Declaration of Independence: Building Community and Fighting Racism in Antebellum African American Boston as part of the on-going commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. When it first appeared in Boston 1829, David Walker’s […]
Celebrate Emerson’s birthday and follow the footsteps of writers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau! Enjoy the spring weather and learn about the friendship of two notable observers of nature from a museum interpreter. 1-mile walk, uneven and unpaved terrain, rain or shine. Meet at the Concord Museum. In partnership with the Ralph Waldo […]
Celebrate Deborah Sampson Day at the Eustis Estate with this family-friendly event! Bring a picnic and watch an immersive performance about the life of Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguised herself to enlist in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. After the show, History at Play’s Judith Kalaora will lead a Q&A, both in […]
Celebrate Deborah Sampson Day at the Eustis Estate with an immersive performance and exclusive after-hours access to the museum. Deborah Sampson disguised herself to enlist in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. History at Play’s Judith Kalaora tells her story with a powerful one-woman show. Ticket includes admission to our current exhibition, Myth and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Often have been told in detail the bloody events that took place in Menotomy (Arlington) on the first day of the American Revolution. But how did Menotomy, then a rural precinct of Cambridge, recover from the shocking episodes and carry on while war was still raging mere miles away in Boston? Join the Arlington Historical […]
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 […]
Illustrated Talk. Hear how, on his 27th birthday in May 1776, Captain James Mugford of Marblehead became an early Revolutionary War hero and martyr, killed in combat by the British in retaliation for audaciously -- and fortuitously for Commander-in-Chief Washington and his army -- capturing a 300-ton British supply ship a day or two before. […]
This program was rescheduled from its original date of 20 October 2025. Many of us give only a moment’s thought about the environment when considering the War of Independence: the slope of Breed’s Hill, the ice-choked Delaware River, and diseases such as smallpox. But what might we gain by connecting biology, ecology, and geology to […]
Illustrated Talk. Hear how, on his 27th birthday in May 1776, Captain James Mugford of Marblehead became an early Revolutionary War hero and martyr, killed in combat by the British in retaliation for audaciously -- and fortuitously for Commander-in-Chief Washington and his army -- capturing a 300-ton British supply ship a day or two before. […]
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 […]
Annual Meeting of the Agawam Historical Association featured presentation: Meet John Adams: A Lively and Revolutionary Conversation with America’s Second President Following the election of officers & directors and a short business meeting, George Baker will transport audience members to the Revolutionary era with his engaging and entertaining portrayal of President John Adams. Wearing historically […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Upton Historical Society invites the public to step back in time with a special narrated bus tour to one of Upton’s earliest surviving workshop buildings — the 1788 Seth Wood Boot Shop and the Old First Cemetery founded in 1735. Interpreters will be on site to tell these stories. The tour will take place […]
