Yankee Ingenuity
2026-05-31 09:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA, 01566, United States
Yankee Ingenuity begins this May with a series of weekend programs exploring New England’s long-standing role in shaping American innovation. Throughout the month, local makers, small businesses, and community partners will be featured alongside historical interpretation, illustrating how the region’s economy has long been driven by creativity, skill, and practical problem-solving. Organized around four themes—Eat, Move, Play, and Work— this event connects everyday life from the Revolutionary era through the 1830s to the present, highlighting the businesses and industries that continue to sustain the region today.
Yankee Ingenuity: EAT | May 2 & 3
The first weekend of Yankee Ingenuity begins with EAT. Culinary tradition and food production have long been a foundation of New England life. Amelia Simmons’s American Cookery (1796), America’s first cookbook, will be brought to life on hearths similar to those used in her era. Guests will witness the recipes and techniques that defined early American cooking, featuring distinctly regional ingredients like cornmeal, pumpkin, and cranberries that set American cuisine apart from its European roots.
Yankee Ingenuity: MOVE | May 9 & 10
The challenge of transporting people, goods, and equipment has been an area of constant innovation in New England. From the ox to the horse, from the canal boat to the railroad, each advancement shaped how commerce flowed and communities connected. Discover how the region’s geography and economic needs drove creative solutions to the age-old problem of movement, transforming local trade into networks that reached across the nation.
Yankee Ingenuity: PLAY | May 23 – 25
All work and no play was not the case for New Englanders, who brought the same ingenuity to leisure as they did to labor. From hand-crafted games and intricate puzzles to folk crafts and outdoor pastimes, residents found creative ways to fill their free hours. These diversions weren’t just entertainment, they reflected the values, skills, and social bonds that knit communities together during an era of rapid change and growth.
Yankee Ingenuity: WORK | May 30 & 31
Like most of America, during formative years of the country, New England was starved for workers, which led to groundbreaking innovation and mechanization. The Industrial Revolution can claim a large part of its American origins right here in New England, where water-powered mills, interchangeable parts, and factory systems transformed how goods were made. This drive to do more with less labor didn’t just change the economy, it reshaped the landscape, the workforce, and the very nature of American work.

Colonial Faire
2026-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Ellsworth McAfee Park, South Street 363, Northborough, MA, 01532, United States
Step back in time and celebrate Northborough’s revolutionary spirit at the Colonial Faire, hosted by the Northborough Revolution 250 Committee! Join us on Saturday, May 30th from 10 AM–3 PM at Ellsworth McAfee Park for a lively day of history, community, and hands-on fun. Experience the sights and sounds of the 18th century with live re-enactments, interactive demonstrations, artisan crafts, food, and more. Whether you’re watching history come to life or trying your hand at colonial-era activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
This special date commemorates Northborough’s own place in history—the town voted for independence on June 3, 1776, ahead of the nation’s founding. Bring the whole family and be part of the celebration—because history is better when you can step right into it.

Bus Tour to Historic 1788 “Ten-Footer” Boot Shop & Old First Cemetery 1735
2026-05-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Upton Town Hall Parking Lot, Main Street 1, Upton, Massachusetts, 01568, United States
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 on Sunday, May 31, with buses departing from the Upton Town Hall parking lot at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Each tour will include a short, narrated ride and a visit to the historic building, where participants will learn about Upton’s important role in New England’s early boot-making industry.
The Seth Wood Boot Shop, built in 1788, is a small independent workshop where artisans crafted boots in a structure known as a “Ten Footer.” Measuring roughly 10 feet by 10 feet, these buildings were a defining feature of early New England’s cottage industries. Craftsmen worked close to home, producing goods for larger merchants long before the rise of industrial factories and providing boots to the deep south during the American Reformation following the American Civil War.
During the 19th century, Upton was a major contributor to the regional boot and shoe trade, producing a significant portion of the footwear used throughout New England.
The building later took on a second life in 1938, when it was converted into a blacksmith shop by Clarence Forsberg. The Forsberg family eventually donated the historic structure to the Upton Historical Society, helping preserve this unique piece of the town’s industrial heritage.
Today, the restored shop offers a rare glimpse into the early working life of Upton’s craftsmen and the small structures that supported a thriving local economy.
Tickets for the bus tour are $5 per person. Because seating is limited, reservations are recommended. To reserve a seat, email uptonmahistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call (508) 529-6600.
The Upton Historical Society encourages residents and visitors alike to join this short journey into the town’s past and discover how a small ten-foot building helped shape a local industry.

Native Communities & The American Revolution
2026-05-31 16:00 - 17:30 | Fairbank Community Center, Fairbank Road 40, Sudbury, MA, 01776, United States
NATIVE COMMUNITIES & THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
With Truman State University Emeritus Professor of History Daniel Mandell
Before the Revolutionary War, New England’s Native communities were active in imperial politics, sending delegates to seek the Crown’s protection against increasingly intrusive and corrupt colonial officials. But when war with England erupted, many of the men went to serve in the local militia and Continental army, or on naval privateers, alongside white and black comrades. As a result, after the war, Native communities embraced democratic rhetoric to defend their lands, autonomy, and religious liberties. Revolution was a process that continued through the early 1800s, and the region’s Indigenous population was a part of that process, even as they remained a people apart.
Join us for a presentation followed by Q&A.

America 250! Patriot Pride Forbes Library Display
2026-06-01 - 2026-06-13 | Forbes Library, West Street 20, Northampton, MA, 01060, United States
Betty Allen Chapter DAR and Forbes Library Celebrate America 250! with Special Historical Display
The Betty Allen Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is proud collaborates with Forbes Library to present a special America 250! display highlighting Northampton’s rich Revolutionary-era history and the local patriots who helped shape the nation.
From June 1 through June 13, 2026, visitors are invited to stop by Forbes Library to explore historical documents and informational displays showcasing Northampton’s contributions to what George Washington famously called “the cause of liberty.” The exhibit also features information about Revolutionary War Patriots buried in Northampton’s historic Bridge Street Cemetery.
In addition to the historical displays, visitors can:
• Browse and borrow books specially selected by Forbes Library librarians.
• Participate in a library-wide history scavenger hunt.
• Share reflections and appreciation in a community gratitude box.
• View two award-winning essays written by students from John F. Kennedy Middle School.
• Learn more about Northampton’s role in America’s founding and its enduring legacy.
The celebration will culminate on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.-noon, when community members gather at Bridge Street Cemetery to honor approximately 175 Revolutionary War Patriots buried there. The ceremony will commemorate their service and sacrifice and recognize Northampton’s important place in the story of American independence.
The public is warmly invited to attend both the exhibit and the commemorative ceremony as part of the nationwide America 250! observance.

Drafting Independence: Declaration to Constitution
2026-06-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
This is a hybrid event. FREE for MHS Members. $10 per person fee (in person). No charge for virtual attendees or Card to Culture participants (EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare). The in-person reception starts at 5:00 and the program will begin 6:00 PM.
Please visit here to register: https://www.masshist.org/events/drafting-independence
America’s founding documents have echoed throughout global history and culture for more than two centuries. Why did revolutionaries like John Adams and his peers draw on the past as they drafted the Declaration and crafted the Constitution? What ideas shaped the United States’ working definition of liberty, and how did that translate to audiences abroad? Join us to explore how “we the people” imagined a new political vocabulary to interpret the American experiment, which we continue today.

The Aspirations of Ordinary People - Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective
2026-06-02 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-03 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-04 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-05 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-06 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-09 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-10 08:00 - 14:00 | North Andover Historical Society, 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, 01845, United States
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 and justice. Their ideals and aspirations are the standards by which we measure our progress today.
Come discover the amazing stories brought to life at the North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) through REV250, a series of programs and exhibits dedicated to the American Revolution.
The exhibit will be open every week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Please check the website for more information.

From Enlightenment Ideas to the Age of Revolutions
2026-06-02 08:00 - 18:00 | French Library, Marlborough Street 53, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, as renowned historian of the French Enlightenment and Harvard Emeritus Professor Robert Darnton explores how ideas circulating in eighteenth-century France helped shape political imagination on both sides of the Atlantic.
In dialogue with scholar Flora Amann, Darnton will draw on his groundbreaking work—including The Writer’s Lot and The Revolutionary Temper—to examine how writers, readers, and the circulation of ideas helped transform public opinion and lay the foundations for political change.
From underground literature in eighteenth-century Paris to transatlantic networks of exchange, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the origins of modern democracy.
Our author’s talk will be followed by a Q&A session, with book signing and a reception.
About Robert Darnton
Robert Darnton is Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and University Librarian, Emeritus, at Harvard University. A leading historian of eighteenth-century France, he is the author of many acclaimed and widely translated works, including The Writer’s Lot, The Revolutionary Temper, and The Great Cat Massacre, which have received honors such as the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
A scholar of global stature, he is a Chevalier in the Légion d’honneur and winner of the National Humanities Medal. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About the moderator
Flora Amann holds a PhD in French from La Sorbonne and the Université de Montréal. A specialist in Enlightenment literature and media history, she has taught at La Sorbonne, the Université de Montréal, and the University of British Columbia. She has also worked at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, where she curated cultural programs and exhibitions.

Handwriting the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
2026-06-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Boston Public Library: Copley Square Branch, Boylston Street 700, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
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 supplies will be provided. Participants will first stop by the supply table to pick up writing supplies and copies of the Constitution and/or Declaration of Independence. Reproductions of John Adams’s personal copy of the Constitution held by Special Collections will also be available to transcribe. This program is self-paced. Patrons are invited to stay for the whole session or simply stay as long as they would like.

From Enlightenment to Independence: How French Ideas Shaped the American Revolution
2026-06-02 18:00 - 19:30 | French Library Alliance Francaise, Marlborough Street 53, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, as leading scholar of the Enlightenment and Harvard Emeritus Professor of History Robert Darnton explores the intellectual and cultural forces that shaped the path from Enlightenment thought to American independence.
In dialogue with scholar Flora Amann, Darnton will draw on his groundbreaking work—including The Writer’s Lot and The Revolutionary Temper—to examine how writers, readers, and the circulation of ideas helped transform public opinion and lay the foundations for political change on both sides of the Atlantic.
From underground literature in eighteenth-century Paris to transatlantic networks of exchange, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the origins of modern democracy.
Our author’s talk will be followed by a Q&A session, with book signing and a reception.
About Robert Darnton
Robert Darnton is Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and University Librarian, Emeritus, at Harvard University. A leading historian of eighteenth-century France, he is the author of many acclaimed and widely translated works, including The Writer’s Lot, The Revolutionary Temper, and The Great Cat Massacre, which have received honors such as the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
A scholar of global stature, he is a Chevalier in the Légion d’honneur and winner of the National Humanities Medal. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
About the moderator
Flora Amann holds a PhD in French from La Sorbonne and the Université de Montréal. A specialist in Enlightenment literature and media history, she has taught at La Sorbonne, the Université de Montréal, and the University of British Columbia. She has also worked at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, where she curated cultural programs and exhibitions.

Lost Liberties - Broken Promises
2026-06-04 10:00 - 2026-11-19 16:00 | Golden Ball Tavern Museum, Boston Post Road 662, Weston, Massachusetts, 02493, United States
” 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.

Tea with Martha
2026-06-04 11:00 - 12:00 | unitedparish, Church Street 1, Upton, Massachusetts, 01568, United States
The Upton Historical Society invites the community to step back in time for a special program, Tea with Martha, held at the United Parish on Thurs June 4th at 11:00 a.m. Attendees will enjoy an engaging, first person portrayal of Martha Washington, brought to life through a dramatic reading by Cheryl Lampshire, D.M with the assistance of Patty Lynn.
The event offers a unique opportunity to explore the wit, wisdom, and daily experiences of America’s original First Lady. Following the presentation, guests are welcome to stay, mingle, and enjoy light refreshments.
Free Event – Reservations are requested by May 22. To RSVP, email UptonMAHistoricalSociety@gmail.com or call (508) 529 6600.

1776 The Musical
2026-06-04 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-05 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-06-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Calliope Productions, Main Street 150, Boylston, MA, 01505, United States
The perfect show for the 250th anniversary of our country, Greater Worcester Opera presents the Tony award winning musical, 1776. Witness the journey of the original Continental Congress as they grapple with moving towards independence from England. Replete with a slew of fascinating characters, this “play with music” is by turns dramatic, moving, exuberant, lively, and always tuneful. From the opening “Sit Down, John!” to the final tally, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the historical experience this beloved musical brings to life.
Shows are Thursday 6/4 (7:30 PM), Friday 6/5 (7:30 PM), Saturday 6/6 (2:00 PM and 7:30 PM) and Sunday 6/7 (2:00 PM). Reserved seating available on our ticket page. $25 adult, $22 senior, $15 age 12 and under (+ small fee)
Please note that this is a GWO production. We rent the theatre at 150 Main Street, Boylston (owned by Calliope Productions) but all tickets and inquiries should go through GWO.

God of Our Fathers: Mighty Miracles of the American Revolution
2026-06-05 19:30 - 20:30 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
Performing Arts Center, Brewster
America 250 Series, In Person & Livestreamed
The Battle of Bunker Hill, Presented by Dr. Kenyn Cureton
This America 250 lecture celebrates God’s Providence during our nation’s fight for Independence, highlighting key moments of divine intervention that took place during the Revolutionary War.
Free admission for all!
Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org

NRM announces landmark exhibition in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial
2026-06-06 08:00 - 2026-10-26 17:00 | Norman Rockwell Museum, Glendale Road 9, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 01262, United States
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 Nation will illuminate how iconic imagery created over centuries helped to reflect and shape what it means to be American.

Steven Puleo's American Treasures
2026-06-06 10:30 - 12:30 | Swansea Free Public Library, Main Street 69, Swansea, Massachusetts, 02777, United States
The Swansea Public Library and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts proudly announce a 250th Presentation:
Renowned historian Stephen Puleo discusses his book “American Treasures,” which charts the little-known journeys of the documentary history of American democracy: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.
From the risky and audacious adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to our modern Fourth of July celebrations, “American Treasures” shows how the ideas captured in these documents underscore the nation’s strengths and hopes, and embody its fundamental values of liberty and equality.

Open House with Martin House Farm
2026-06-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Martin House Farm, Stoney Hill Road 22, Swansea, Massachusetts, 02777, United States
The Colonial Dames of Massachusetts invite all to a sneak preview of the Martin House Farm, before its summer opening. Sometime between 1728 and 1734, John Martin’s son, John Martin the younger, built a house for his wife and eight children consisting of a one-room dwelling with a loft above and an outside chimney. Two additions were added in 1814 and in the late 19th century.
Visitors today can enjoy the house which has not been physically altered since the last additions. It is now filled with collections from the Martin family who lived on the farm for 200 continuous years. The property also includes two barns and cultivated fields surrounded by dry stone walls and woodlands. Enjoy the 250th story walk around the property.
Photo credit of Martin House: By Tim Pierce – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21542909

Let Freedom Ring! Handbell Concert
2026-06-06 15:00 - 16:30 | First Church of Christ, Congregational, Great Road 25, Bedford, MA, 01730, United States
Observing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the touchstone of our nation’s founding, this program hosted by First Church brings together an eclectic blend of heartfelt and whimsical music celebrating the spirit, resilience, and shared history of America. The 14-member handbell choir will be joined by percussion, flute, piccolo, oboe, English horn, ocarina, and a few other surprises. Parking is available behind the church off Mudge Way.

State Library of Massachusetts Author Talk
2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Massachusetts State House, Beacon Street 24, Boston, MA, 02133, United States
In celebration of MA250 and America 250, please join the State Library of Massachusetts for an Author Talk with authors Donna A. Seger and Brad Austin. They will be talking about their book titled “Salem’s Centuries: New Perspectives on the History of An Old American City, 1626-2026,” which focuses on the Revolutionary Period.
Temple University Press says: Salem, MA is best known today for its infamous witch trials in 1692, yet there is much more to this small city. An important trading center since its founding in 1626, Salem was also the scene of dynamic social and material changes in the twentieth century. Salem’s Centuries develops a more inclusive and comprehensive historical framework and expands upon the city’s signature eras of witch trials and maritime ascendancy.
In advance of the city’s quadricentennial, the editors and contributors highlight the depth and diversity of Salem’s history, including stories of indigenous peoples, early settlers, African Americans, and immigrants, spanning from the American and industrial revolutions to World War II and the present. Chronologically arranged by century, chapters examine how Salem’s history has been lost or distorted in its public presentations over time.
Salem’s Centuries is a fresh look at an old American city. And yes, it includes the accused witches.

Portrait Project: Honoring 250 Years of Changemakers
2026-06-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Artists for Humanity, West 2nd Street 100, Boston, MA, 02127, United States
Join us for an upcoming exhibition, Portrait Project: Honoring 250 Years of Changemakers, a collection of artwork from AFH teens. In concert with other local organizations celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, AFH teens respond to this historic time by bringing attention to both widely recognized figures and those whose stories are lesser known.
By celebrating the stories of both historical figures and emerging teen artists, we encourage visitors to look both backward and forward, considering how our past informs our future, and how creativity, community, and equity continue to shape our evolving story.

Pedestals and Poetry
2026-06-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Robbins Library, Massachusetts Avenue 700, Arlington, Massachusetts, 02476, United States
Poets will present their works inspired by artist Chris Frost’s “Unseen/Unforgotten: A Remembrance of Menotomy’s Everyday Defenders, 1775,” an art installation that commemorates the 250 anniversary of the American Revolution in Arlington. Attendees
will visit the pedestals at the library and hear artist Chris Frost speak about the project.
Featured poets include:
John Burt
Geoffrey Brahmer
Jean Flanagan
Susan Lloyd McGarry
Jo Pitkin
Steven Ratiner
Teresa Cader
Hannah Baker-Siroty
Deanna Witter
Fred Marchant
(Rain location: Robbins Library Community Room)
“Unseen/Unforgotten” was commissioned by ArtsArlington and curated by Cecily Miller as part of Arlington’s commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
