The Concord Museum will offer free admission for visitors to visit the immersive April 19, 1775 gallery to see one of the original “One if by land, two if by sea” lanterns hung in the North Church as a signal on the night of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride.
The National Parks of Boston and Plays in Place are excited to announce the production of the first play in the Suffrage in Black and White series At the Massachusetts State House, on February 21, 1838, exiled Southerner Angelina Grimké becomes the first American woman to address a legislative body. Her powerful speech about abolition […]
The National Parks of Boston and Plays in Place are excited to announce the production of the first play in the Suffrage in Black and White series At the Massachusetts State House, on February 21, 1838, exiled Southerner Angelina Grimké becomes the first American woman to address a legislative body. Her powerful speech about abolition […]
To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th-century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units – the forerunner of today’s National Guard. Militia musters often saw the various militia companies of several towns coming together for a regimental muster. These would have been grand spectacles with townspeople coming […]
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 […]
Living History Timeline Exhibition and Encampment Event Experience the uniforms, equipment, music, and lifestyles of soldiers from the Ancient Roman Legions thru Vietnam eras, encamped on historic Redway Plain! Walk among the camps and time travel through history to experience what life was like during many eras of history all at one event! Various demonstrations, […]
Living History Timeline Exhibition and Encampment Event Experience the uniforms, equipment, music, and lifestyles of soldiers from the Ancient Roman Legions thru Vietnam eras, encamped on historic Redway Plain! Walk among the camps and time travel through history to experience what life was like during many eras of history all at one event! Various demonstrations, […]
Come join us in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! We can’t wait to share our new Colonial Style Brown Ale brewed with molasses. Food truck: Twizted Pickle; Hand Crafted Sandwiches and Pickle Specialty Food Truck
Named a best book of the year by The Wall Street Journal, one of the most acclaimed and original colonial historians of our time, Mary Beth Norton, shares her landmark text 1774: The Long Year of Revolution chronicling the changes that occurred from December 1773 to April 1775—from the Boston Tea Party to the Battles […]
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 […]
What makes someone who becomes famous, famous? Harvard law professor, public intellectual, and bestselling author Cass Sunstein offers clear and surprising answers in his new book How To Become Famous: Lost Einsteins, Forgotten Superstars, and How the Beatles Came to Be. Using modern data analysis techniques to show the role of accident and serendipity in […]
Historian Mary Fuhrer returns to explore this critical point in Acton history in the next edition of the Acton 250 lecture series. Remote Participation: You can participate in the Q&A using ZOOM http://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOM or watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Please see https://www.actonma.gov/250 for all programming information and a link to our commemorative store. What happened in Acton on that fateful day, […]
The 98th Hingham Historic House Tour features six private homes once occupied by American Revolutionary War Patriots. Each of the stunning private homes featured on the tour, as well as the Society’s two House Museums: the Benjamin Lincoln House, and The Old Ordinary, in addition to the Old Ship Meeting House were all built before […]
Join the Acton 250 Committee and the Acton Memorial Library for this 21+ after hours library event featuring the Acton 250's Isaac Davis Brown Ale from Dirigible Brewing, the Acton Minutemen, colonial music, the unveiling of the new Isaac Davis Plow mural, food and more! Free entry. Merch available for purchase. A portion of ale […]
Renowned presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky, joins us for a conversation on John Adams’ five year-battle to defend the presidency. 1797 wasn’t too different from 2024, with pandemics, battles over immigration and citizenship, legislation to limit free speech, foreign interference in national […]
Tour the site of the Great Salem Fire, October 6, 1774 with retired park ranger, Curtis White. The fire destroyed shops, a meeting-house, dwellings, and the Custom House. Was the fire a diversionary tactic to deter the arrest of Massachusetts delegates who met in defiance of the Massachusetts Government Act? The 1.25-mile walking tour will […]
Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. in South Acton. Register at ActonMemorialLibrary.org
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 […]
The renowned author of the classic “The Minutemen and their World” will share the unique conflicts and changes Acton and Concord citizens experienced in their economic and social lives that led up to dramatic events of 250 years ago. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7-8:30 PM Room 204, Acton Town Hall https://www.actonma.gov/250
Discover Boston’s rich 400-year African American history! Many vibrant Black communities flourished in Boston stretching back to early colonial times. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6 PM Acton Memorial Library
Concord Events happening November 9, 10, and 11 to honor our Veterans
Northeastern University Professor Malcolm F. Purinton discusses the role of the tavern in local society as the colonies headed into the American Revolution. There were few places more important in colonial and revolutionary America than local community taverns that played witness to local, regional, and national events in American history. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7PM Acton […]
Join us for a special award ceremony followed by a conversation between two Pulitzer Prize-winning biographical authors. In recognition of her career as an essayist and award-winning author, Stacy Schiff will be presented with the William Hickling Prescott Award for Excellence in Historical Writing by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in […]
A talk by Andover independent historian Chris Boehmer Sunday, November 24 ~ 1:30-3:00pm Not all Native Americans in Massachusetts were invited to celebrate the harvest with English colonists. Some were enslaved by the colonists. In Andover in the 17th and 18th centuries, wealthy white families commonly enslaved one or more Africans or Native Americans. In […]
Congregational churches could be found in nearly every town across New England in the 1770s. The stories of Patriot ministers who inspired their congregations to Revolution have long been told. Increasingly we are learning more about the experience of the people sitting in the pews and how being part of a Congregational church community shaped […]
Native people remained in distinct communities during Revolutionary times. They sought to secure their rights, although in vastly diverse ways. Over a 30- year career, Professor Daniel Mandell has produced a body of work that tells the story of New England Native Americans from the time of first European contact through the formation of the […]
A talk by Joann Michalik If you missed our 18th century tavern night in April, here's your chance to experience it . . . with a holiday twist. The introduction of stage coaches along major roadways leads to taverns as inns, houses of entertainment and political headquarters. Learn about the role of rum in the […]
A once-in-a-lifetime paint restoration project is currently underway at the Old North Church in Boston! Expert conservators are painstakingly removing layers of white overpaint to reveal some of the church’s colonial-era artwork. By the spring of 2025, the team will uncover 16 angels in the balcony arches that were painted in the late 1720s and […]
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 the first talk in our "Religion of Revolution: lecture series with historian, Dr. Katherine Carté. The Revolutionary War transformed religious life in America, not just for New England, but everywhere. Remembering New England’s important role in this national tale shows just how revolutionary—and how conservative—the era was. For most of the eighteenth […]
Akhil Amar, preeminent legal scholar and author of The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840, joins us at the Concord Museum for a timely conversation on the US Constitution, exploring the formative decades after its ratification and its resonance today.
Joel Bohy will present a study of the arms and ammunition used by both British and provincial forces on April 19, 1775, as well as the battle damage that remain. Using modern shooting incident reconstruction, archaeology, live fire studies, and new research, we can shed new light on the heavy fighting along the route of […]
In the 18th century, newspapers and pamphlets were crucial in spreading information and stoking the fires of conflict during the revolutionary period. Although printing was primarily seen as a masculine profession, women—such as widows, wives, and daughters—stepped up to embrace the responsibilities of a free press. These women not only set the type for the […]
Concord Carlisle Adult Continuing Education offers online course: Concord250 Event, CCACE: “Understanding Town History for the Big 250!” with Victor Curran
"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 […]
Meet music history’s rebels and revolutionaries, from Monteverdi and Beethoven to our contemporaries and witness how, by breaking the rules, these composers changed the course of history. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Concord’s role in the American Revolution, the program will feature the world premiere of Unrest by local composer and CCM faculty […]
Hingham Historical Society kicks off the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with Lincoln Day 2025 - a community celebration of civic engagement. Lincoln Day celebrates civic engagement and reflects on the lives and legacies of General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) and President Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865). Born more than 70 years and 1,000 miles […]
"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 early American colonies faced significant cash problems, and various solutions were devised to address them. Money, or the lack of it, was a persistent issue in colonial America. The colonists were subject to British rule, where gold and silver were the official legal tender; however, British coins circulated only infrequently in the colonies. Lacking […]
USS Constitution Museum Come join us during February Vacation Week as the Museum hosts its annual LEGO®️Maritime Festival!!! As we count down to the Navy’s 250th Birthday, we are introducing special edition LEGO Kits of USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young and USS Nantucket! Come visit and let your creativity flourish as part of our Ship […]
In celebration of Presidents’ Day, historic guests, creative activities, live musical performances as well as Museum tours will bring the JFK Library to life in new ways for all ages. Enjoy performances of campaign songs and maker activities to highlight President Kennedy’s time in the White House, with additional elements focusing on democratic values and […]
Hannah Mather was 13 years old when she helped her uncle, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson, escape from the sacking of his mansion during the Stamp Act riots, and 22 when she smuggled letters to Patriot leaders during the Siege of Boston. Hear from Hannah herself (portrayed by Mehitabel Glenhaber) about her experiences coming of age […]
Designed to bring our oldest historic house to life by offering opportunities to engage with reproduction objects in each room and to consider 17th and 18th century life from a kids-eye-view, the approximately 30-minute tour is aimed at families. Tours at 10:30, 11:30, & 2:30 are included in the price of admission.
Hannah Mather was 13 years old when she helped her uncle, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson, escape from the sacking of his mansion during the Stamp Act riots, and 22 when she smuggled letters to Patriot leaders during the Siege of Boston. Hear from Hannah herself (portrayed by Mehitabel Glenhaber) about her experiences coming of age […]
Before Lexington and Concord, there was “Leslie’s Retreat” – a confrontation between Salem residents and British soldiers in February 1775. Essex Heritage and its partners are inviting the public and media members to learn about this historic event, which is part of ongoing efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. On February […]
History Alive, Inc is pleased to present their second installation of a fashion show of ideas from history, "Fashioning for Freedom, Layers of Liberty." This special performance, in partnership with the Salem Human Rights Commission and the North Shore Juneteenth Association, presents a celebratory runway of Black creativity and activism from New England's past three […]
Join us at 9:30am at St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church on Saturday February 22. 2025 to learn the history behind Leslie’s Retreat, and to hear from current elected officials. On February 26, 1775, Salem witnessed what could have been the first battle of the American Revolution. This event marked Salem’s first armed resistance to British […]
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 […]
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Hingham during the American Revolution? Take on the roles of real people Hinghamites and explore the Old Ordinary House Museum through their eyes to experience daily life for families on the wartime homefront. This fun and family-oriented experience is perfect for family members of […]
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 […]
Held in Salem’s Historic Old Town Hall, step back into Salem on the eve of the American Revolution for the anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat and Revolution 250! Its autumn of 1774, Salem is the seat of the newly appointed Royal Governor, General Gage- welcomed by some, resented by others. With their local government severely constrained […]
It’s Autumn, 1774. Massachusetts is confined, punished & neglected by the Royal Government. Tyranny sparks hopes of Revolution! When Patriots meet secretly in Salem, enslaved Africans want to take the talk of Liberty at face value. Can they? Join the forbidden assembly! Attending “In Open Rebellion” is your chance to imagine yourself amidst Salem’s Patriots, […]
Step back in time and converse with two of the Revolution’s most influential writers: John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren! Through a combination of first-person narratives and actual primary source documents, Mercy and John will share how their friendship developed, grew, fractured, and ultimately healed through their correspondence. In 1805, Warren published the first history […]
For MA250 The Umbrella has programmed two events – a stage company production and an exhibit – to celebrate and amplify voices that have not historically been a part of the revolution story…which is in line with the celebration goals of the 250 plans. An indigenous theatre-maker journeys across geographic borders, personal history, and Cultural […]
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
Nationally renowned sculptor Meredith Bergmann, an Acton resident, has created inspiring monuments to great Americans: FDR, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, and many more. Her artistic process includes learning about each figure as she creates each bronze statue. Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784), whose bronze statue appears in the Boston […]
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 […]
Concord Chamber Music Society Presents: Wendy Putnam, violin & Vytas Baksys, piano March 9, 2025, 3pm, at Lexington’s Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Tickets available to purchase beginning August 5, 2024: concordchambermusic.org/putnam-baksys Description: An intriguing program of works by American composers that includes a tribute to the American Revolution with Vieuxtemps’ Souvenir d’Amerique – […]
In January 1773, Massachusetts slaves submitted the first of four petitions that decade to the legislature of the colony requesting their release from bondage. Around the same time writers such as Phillis Wheatley and Caesar Sarter began to attack both slavery and the slave trade in print. Many scholars have discussed these individual writers and […]
Have you tried the Acton 250 Committee’s Isaac Davis Brown Ale? If not, or if you have and just want more, join us March 13 at Dirigible Brewing Company as they reintroduce our commemorative ale in time for the 250th celebration of the American Revolution. This ale is representative of one beer style available to […]
Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. Without the ability to vote or to own property, Deborah […]
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 […]
The Carlisle Colonial Faire will be held at the First Religious Society's Union Hall (27 School Street) on March 15th. The event will feature a minutemen muster re-enactment on the town common, as well as colonial themed demonstrations and handmade colonial style crafts by local artisans. The Historical Society will also be displaying several unique […]
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, […]
Title: Wood Type Use, History, and Identification lecture and workshop, 1 pm Event leader: James Grieshaber Cost: Free with Museum admission Date: Saturday March 15 Start time: 1 pm This lecture will cover aspects of wood type history, as seen through the lens of the historic Wood Type Pattern Library of Virgin Wood Type. James […]
“A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color” is a two-hour live event dedicated to uncovering and honoring the often-overlooked contributions of Black and Indigenous patriots both during the American Revolution and the long struggle for continued expansion of freedom and liberty over the past 250 years. This event will take place at the Umbrella […]
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds Attend the historic cocktail party of the year! Enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, take guided tours of the exhibits, and listen to museum educators and reenactors discussing more intriguing topics of the 18th-century. Alcohol production and consumption, card games and gambling, and historical undergarments galore! Learn 18th-century tavern games and enter […]
Wayland and Sudbury and the Dawn of the American Revolution Presentation by Jane Sciacca On April 19, 1775, more than 300 men from Sudbury (modern Wayland and Sudbury) marched off to Concord to confront British troops on the first day of the American Revolution. What led to their brave deeds that day? What manner of […]
Set in the late 18th century, this forum presents a fictional dialogue featuring Martha Washington (portrayed by Sandy Spector), the First Lady, and Mercy Otis Warren (portrayed by Michele Gabrielson), a prominent playwright and activist. In a cozy parlor setting, they discuss their friendship, their respective roles during the revolutionary era, and the challenges they […]
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 […]
Parish Hall, First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord To mark 250 years since the start of the American Revolution, CWC member Diane Taraz traces the road to rebellion with songs enjoyed by ordinary people, especially those often overlooked, such as women and people of color. She presents lively ballads, serene hymns, bold marches, […]
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. […]
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's legendary midnight ride! Join us at The COOP for a special evening with Kostya Kennedy, author of The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America. Book signing to follow! RSVP link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ride-kostya-kennedy-at-the-coop-tickets-1280779167969?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
The Milldames of Concord are pleased to invite you to an enlightening lecture by the renowned Concord historian Dr. Robert A. Gross. This event promises to be an exceptional opportunity to delve into the rich history of Concord with one of its most distinguished scholars. Event Details Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Time: 4:00 pm […]
Be among the first to explore this exhibition, which charts major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution. The stories behind Paul Revere’s ride, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and more are illustrated through rare letters, diary accounts, and artifacts from the MHS collection. Plus, enjoy […]
The best-selling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters reclaims the daring freelance sailors who proved essential to the winning of the Revolutionary War. The heroic story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the Revolution has been told before, yet missing from most maritime histories of America’s first war is the ragtag fleet of […]
The first of three 250th special exhibitions at the Concord Museum, Whose Revolution will highlight the competing and contradictory meanings of revolution during the period leading up to the war. Through maps, documents, furniture, and other objects, this exhibition will explore the gradual shifts that led to broader support for independence. It will examine the […]
Meet at the Concord Town House to celebrate an auspicious moment in our history: March 29th marks 145 years to the day that Louisa May Alcott, famed authoress of Little Women and hundreds of other literary works, became the first woman of Concord to cast a vote in a Town election! Join in the excitement […]
The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration. Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff […]
March 29 - March 30 (All Day Event) Saturday March 29, 2025 8 PM (7:15 PM pre-concert conductor talk) Sunday March 30, 2025, 2:30 PM Past, Present, Encore! We are delighted to embark on our second season with Music Director Zeke Fetrow and invite you to join us for a fascinating 2024-2025 season showcasing beloved […]
The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration. Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff […]
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 the book launch of the Concord Museum’s publication Eyewitness to Revolution: The American Revolution Collection at the Concord Museum. Written by David Wood, the book tells the story of the Revolution through the Museum’s unparalleled collection of objects related to the early days of the American Revolution. David will be joined in […]
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 […]
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 p.m. The eight […]
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, the colony entered a wartime phase that included creating minute companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join […]
Make plans to join us at 14 Beacon to celebrate the opening of our new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The evening will feature an opportunity to visit the exhibition and curator’s comments from New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and "Sacred Rebellion" curator, Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American […]
Michael D. Hattem, Historian of the American Revolution and Historical Memory, will speak about the importance of the memory of the Revolution, specifically on how events in Concord have been perceived nationally. Bio: Michael D. Hattem is a historian of the American Revolution and popular memory. He is the author of The Memory of ’76: […]
Arlington 250 Kickoff Party at the Capitol A day of family fun, history, and entertainment in celebration of the American Revolution In honor of Arlington's rich historical significance and its pivotal role in the American Revolution, join us for a day filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment. This festive and free event will take place […]
Doors at 6 p.m./Presentation at 6:30 p.m. Join us as we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution by learning about our local revolutionary heroes buried in North Andover's First and Second Burial Ground. Who were they? What was their previous fighting experience? What drove them to war? David Blauvelt is the Coordinator of […]
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 […]
The Concord Museum, the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society, and the Massachusetts Historical Society will hold a conference in April 2025 on the theme “1775: A Society on the Brink of War and Revolution”. Held at the Concord Museum, the conference marks the 250th anniversary of the battles of Lexington […]
What challenges did New England society face in 1775, and how did they impact the outbreak of fighting in Concord and Lexington? The Concord Museum, the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society, and the Massachusetts Historical Society invite you to a conference on April 10-11, 2025 on the theme “1775”. […]
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 […]
The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00PM, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic […]
Arlington Restaurant Week Sunday, April 12-Monday, April 21 Arlington’s diverse cuisine, representing all corners of the world, will be on display during Arlington Restaurant Week. Running from Sunday, April 12 through Monday, April 21, Arlington Restaurant Week will encompass Patriots’ Day Weekend 2025 and will celebrate 250 years since the Battle of Menotomy which took […]
Join us for the grand opening of “Bedford Answers the Call” at our Open House on April 12th from 8 – 10:15 a.m. and immediately following the Pole Capping Day parade and ceremony. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the first day of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775, we’ve created a […]
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 […]
Join the Pioneer Valley History Network for a gathering of local history enthusiasts, including local historians, public history professionals, genealogists, preservationists, academics, and others, in one place for one day of sharing. This is a one-day, conference-style event, a grassroots, democratic way to gather and share ideas and information. The topics that are presented are […]
Join the Bedford Minuteman Company and Minuteman Companies from the area as they converge on Willson Park in Bedford to commemorate the spirit and courage of the patriots who sparked the American Revolution. Pole Capping Day is considered the start of the Patriots Day celebration in the region. The Liberty Pole Capping and Raising is […]
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 […]
“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 […]
Join us for “A Day for Doughnuts,” a one-act play set on April 19, 1775. This performance captures the last thing Colonel Robinson said before he left that morning: “Have the girls prepare dough knots and send them to the men for lunch.” Olive Prescott, Lt. Col. John Robinson’s great-granddaughter, recounts the April 19, 1775 […]
"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 […]
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! […]
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 […]
A casual discussion and 20-30 minute film. Presented by Heritage Films. Typically, the 2nd Monday every month, Noon – 1 p.m. Tapley Memorial Hall 13 Page Street, Danvers, MA. Free Admission. Donations appreciated. Bring your lunch! We are proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program. Danvers Historical Society: 978-777-1666 or E-mail […]
The documentary reveals a long-suppressed secret, set in Concord, Massachusetts — the birthplace of the American Revolution, where the first shots were fired on April 19, 1775. While Concord is often celebrated for its role in the fight for freedom, few are aware of the untold stories that extend beyond its borders. The film also […]
Learn about the landing site of the British regulars on the night of April 18, 1775, and then gather at Lamplighter CX for a fun evening of pub trivia with a focus on the American Revolution. Visit the landing site of the British troops in East Cambridge, then raise a pint at LamplighterCX to celebrate […]
Doors open at 6 p.m./Presentation at 6:30 p.m. Join linguist and NAHS facilities manager, Antoine Trombino-Ponte as he explains his reconstruction of the voice of James Stevens, through James’ diary, which he began on April 19, 1775. Antoine Trombino-Aponte is the Facilities Manager at the North Andover Historical Society as well as an Educator at […]
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 […]
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