Part of a series highlighting pieces from our Historic Clothing Collection which is undergoing considerable conservation work this year. This discussion will explore examples of the styles and fabrics of the late 18th century, revealing how fashion reflected social status and the daily challenges of life during the Revolutionary Era.
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 Cape & Islands in the Revolution – Little Known Facts & Events Thursday, May 15, 2025, 4pm Museum on the Green Falmouth Historic Society The Revolutionary War was a period which was not only centered in the well-known venues of Boston Philadelphia, New York State, Virginia, and beyond, but also included key events and […]
Join us for a presentation by Mimi Graney at 6:30 p.m. During the Siege of Boston, as war and hardship consumed the city, Chelsea became an unexpected refuge. This presentation brings the crisis to life through firsthand accounts that reveal the uncertainty, fear, and resilience of those caught in the turmoil. At the heart of […]
Dressed in the clothes of 18th-century itinerant musicians, Deirdre Sweeney and Al Petty will perform an extensive repertoire of historical dance music, as well as marches and laments, including 18th-century tunes such as “Mr. Isaac’s Maggot” and “Jack’s Health.” Their instruments include the flute, penny whistle, recorder, and fife. The music was gathered from manuscripts […]
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 5:30 and the program will begin at 6:00. Lafayette’s tour of the United States in 1824-5 resulted in the production of […]
Curious about what Newbury(port) soldiers carried into battle? Join Joel Bohy, Revolutionary War weapons expert, for an exploration of the muskets, swords, and accouterments carried during the earliest days of the American Revolution, featuring notable items from the Museum of Old Newbury collection. Session concludes with a musket drill outside. Joel Bohy is the director […]
The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Festival will take place in Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, on May 25, 2025. This event is a part of the MA250 commemorative events. The annual AANHPI Festival, co-hosted by the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECAA) and tons of other local organizations, celebrates the rich histories, […]
Uncover the story of the Battle of Chelsea Creek — the second naval engagement of the American Revolution and the first victory for the colonists — by joining us for an informative and scenic boat tour along Chelsea Creek, Mystic River, and Boston Harbor this Memorial Day. We'll explore the rich history and cultural significance […]
Don Black, of Groton's Old Burying Ground Commission, will talk about the graves in the Old Burying Ground related to the Revolutionary War. Accompanying the walk and talk will be a display of the Revolutionary War cannon that militia, including members from Groton, looted off of a British ship and used at the Battle of […]
Back by popular demand, this encore virtual tour of the Congregational Library & Archives’ new in-person exhibition, Sacred Rebellion, will be hosted by Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts and New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and Sacred Rebellion curator Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American Revolution began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological […]
"In Support of the Common Cause” ~ The Merrimack Valley Goes to War A talk by historian and author Alex Cain Thursday, June 5, 2025, ~ 6:00-7:30pm The History Center at 97 Main Street In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress directed towns across the colony to prepare for imminent conflict with England. In response, […]
Historians from the United States and United Kingdom will engage in a facilitated discussion reflecting on the Battle of Bunker Hill. Together, Authors Nathaniel Philbrick and Emma Hart will consider the lasting impacts of the battle on the Revolutionary War, its memory, and legacy from two nations’ perspectives. Moderator: Dr. Brooke Barbier Hosts: Bunker Hill […]
Join us at 14 Beacon for a special tour of the CLA’s new in-person exhibition with New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and "Sacred Rebellion" curator, Dr. Tricia Peone. The exhibition features many treasures from the CLA’s collections: sermons, books, poems, songs, and letters created by Massachusetts Congregationalists during and after the American Revolution. These […]
The Bunker Hill flag will be raised at the Monument followed by a speaking ceremony to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Charlestown veterans. Coffee and treats will be served. Invited Guests: Bunker Hill Parade Chief Marshal James Chambers + General Ralph Rizzo Hosts: The National Parks of Boston, Bunker Hill Associates
It’s been said that history is written by the victors, so it’s not surprising that the story of those loyal to the Crown in the American colonies is not as widely known as that of the Patriots. As the drumbeat to independence grew louder, Loyalists faced their Patriot neighbors’ scorn and also the agonizing decision […]
Major General Joseph Warren's death at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, secured his legacy as a revolutionary war hero. Lesser known is his role as an advocate for organized healthcare for the poor and needy. Both he and his brother John advanced American medicine during the Revolutionary and Early Republic eras. […]
It’s been said that history is written by the victors, so it’s not surprising that the story of those loyal to the Crown in the American colonies is not as widely known as that of the Patriots. As the drumbeat to independence grew louder, Loyalists faced their Patriot neighbors’ scorn and also the agonizing decision […]
Major General Joseph Warren's death at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, secured his legacy as a revolutionary war hero. Lesser known is his role as an advocate for organized healthcare for the poor and needy. Both he and his brother John advanced American medicine during the Revolutionary and Early Republic eras. […]
Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native, for a Sunday morning stroll through downtown Newburyport. Visit the homes of Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, who fought at Fort Ticonderoga and Battle of Valcour, Captain Benjamin Perkins, who fought at Bunker Hill. Stand where the Declaration of Independance was read for the first […]
Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native, for a Sunday morning stroll through downtown Newburyport. Visit the homes of Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, who fought at Fort Ticonderoga and Battle of Valcour, Captain Benjamin Perkins, who fought at Bunker Hill. Stand where the Declaration of Independance was read for the first […]
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 at 6:00. The American Revolution had a profound impact on families, with some ideas and […]
On Tuesday, June 17th, at 7pm at the Adams Academy, 8 Adams Street, Quincy Historical Society will host the second part of a program exploring life in Braintree during the first pivotal months of the American Revolution. The City of Quincy’s Directory of Historic Heritage and Resources, Bob Damon, and Quincy Historical Society’s Executive Director […]
Join us for Newburyport's Road to Revolution Part VI - Bunker Hill: Heroes and Cowards! In this closing lecture of the Newburyport's Road to Revolution series, join historian and author Alexander Cain for an exploration of the first engagement in which Newbury(port) troops play a significant role - for good or ill. While some local […]
Please join the Acton 250 Committee for its next speaking event featuring historian and author Don N. Hagist on Monday, June 23 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in The Acton Memorial Library’s Meeting Room, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA. Don will share lesser-known narratives from the Revolutionary Era, including the lives of British soldiers who […]
Fighting for Freedom: Black Cambridge from the Revolution to the Early Nineteenth Century Join us for an illustrated talk with Leslie Brunetta and Paula Paris and learn more about Cambridge's Black Patriots! Wed. June 25, 2025, 6:00PM First Church in Cambridge, Congregational 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 in the Margaret Jewett Hall In celebration […]
Fighting for Freedom: Black Cambridge from the Revolution to the Early Nineteenth Century Join us for an illustrated talk with Leslie Brunetta and Paula Paris and learn more about Cambridge's Black Patriots! Wed. June 25, 2025, 6:00PM First Church in Cambridge, Congregational 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 in the Margaret Jewett Hall In celebration […]
Join us on Thursday, June 26th at 5 PM for a special post-work tour of The Innovation Trail, supported by the City of Cambridge and MA 250. Cambridge’s Kendall Square area has long been a hub of innovation, decades before the Massachusetts Institute of Technology moved there in 1916, and centuries before the square became […]
Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife: Recalling the Revolution in New England June 27 - June 28 at Historic Deerfield (in Deerfield, MA) and on Zoom The Dublin Seminar for New England Folklife’s 2025 gathering, Recalling the Revolution in New England, will be held June 27–28 at Historic Deerfield. The conference keynote will be provided […]
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum presents Forty Acres & The American Revolution; Stories of Independence & Servitude, a public talk with three leading scholars: Friederike Baer, a historian of 18th-century Hessian soldiers, Marge Bruchac, a scholar of local Indigenous histories, and Charmaine Nelson, director of the Slavery North project at the University of Massachusetts. Together, these scholars […]
Explore the people, ideas, and questions that shaped General George Washington’s first revolutionary headquarters 250 years ago this July. Choose your path through this free, all-ages event featuring historic house and outdoor walking tours with J.L. Bell; family activities; talks by historians; living historians portraying George Washington, William Lee, and Martha Washington; Cambridge Open Archives, […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
During the winter months of 1774-75, two serious threats to “patriot” insurgency appeared in southeastern Massachusetts. In the rural towns of Marshfield and Freetown, the militant activities of Loyalists, coupled with British armed support, suggested a promising strategy to disrupt colonial resistance from within. Could it have worked? The rebels apparently feared so . . […]
During the winter months of 1774-75, two serious threats to “patriot” insurgency appeared in southeastern Massachusetts. In the rural towns of Marshfield and Freetown, the militant activities of Loyalists, coupled with British armed support, suggested a promising strategy to disrupt colonial resistance from within. Could it have worked? The rebels apparently feared so . . […]
The Loyalist Counter-Insurgency, 1775: Rebel Nightmare, British Opportunity? During the winter months of 1774-75, two serious threats to “patriot” insurgency appeared in southeastern Massachusetts. In the rural towns of Marshfield and Freetown, the militant activities of Loyalists, coupled with British armed support, suggested a promising strategy to disrupt colonial resistance from within. Could it have […]
The public is invited to a free program exploring The Umbrella Arts Center’s outdoors public art ramble, Weaving an Address, a site-specific exhibition of work by prominent Black artists commemorating colonial-era Black residents of Concord’s famed Walden Woods. On Saturday, July 19 at 3PM, curator and artist Marla McLeod will lead a guided tour of […]
Joshua Winslow: merchant, shipowner, and soldier, lived in the Isaac Winslow House from 1773 to 1780. As a Loyalist, he was one of the six East India Tea consignees responsible for selling tea in Boston. Encounter him today, as depicted by Michael Lepage.
America 250 Symposium: Cape & Islands in the Revolution Saturday, July 26, 2025, 1 - 5 PM Join the Falmouth Museums on the Green and the Joshua Gray–Jonathan Hatch Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a symposium exploring Cape Cod and the Islands’ vital role during the American Revolution. As we approach […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
Explore the political climate in Marshfield and Scituate leading up to the "Shot Heard Round the World" on April 19, 1775. Join local historian and author, Jim Glinski, for a fascinating talk about the political climate in Marshfield and Scituate leading up to the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 and beyond. […]
A casual discussion and 20-30 minute film. Presented by Heritage Films. Shipping and Customs House. Worldly goods and local settlements. 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 […]
Military Uniforms Across Time – View an array of military garments spanning generations, including rare Civil War pieces recently stabilized and conserved through our current project. Part of a series highlighting pieces from our Historic Clothing Collection which is undergoing considerable conservation work this year. This discussion will explore examples of the styles and fabrics […]
Lecture by Chris Stewart, American politician, author, and businessman Performing Arts Center, Brewster Free, In person & livestreamed The Battle of Brooklyn, fought in August 1776, revealed a series of extraordinary miracles that helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War. Despite overwhelming odds, unexpected British delays, a sudden rainstorm, and a mysterious fog allowed […]
Did you know there was a shot fired in Danvers, MA during August of 1774? General Gage’s “87 Days at Danvers” June 2 – August 27, 1774 A presentation and discussion of what should be viewed as the First Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. And, contrary to popular thought, within that ‘juggernaut’ perhaps the […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
Join Assistant Editor of the Adams Papers Miriam Liebman for a gallery talk on the exhibition 1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution, which charts major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution. Miriam will discuss the Adams family's relationship to the Battle of Bunker Hill using related exhibition items. Visitors are invited to […]
Did you know that when Benedict Arnold was still on the Patriots’ side of the Revolution, he and his troops camped in Danvers? One of the most strategic and daring exploits of the patriot cause during the revolution. Part of the troops encamped in the Town of Danvers on the night of September 14, 1775, […]
How has the Revolution changed the lives of ordinary Americans, articulated ideals that have defined our history, and continues to shape our world? Jack Warren is a historian of the American Revolution and American public life. He is the author, most recently, of Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution (2023). He served on […]
Hosted by King's Chapel, join us for a special panel, Confronting Boston’s Legacy of Slavery: The Power of Faith and the Art of Remembrance, on Monday, September 15, at 5:30 PM at the Museum of African American History, Boston. Speakers include Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, Rev. Willie Bodrick II, Rev. Joy Fallon, and artist Harmonia Rosales, […]
Massachusetts 250 is embracing our history of the American Revolution. It includes commemorations and the many battles that led to independence. Explore Massachusetts and experience the special events that showcase our history with untold stories that pay homage to the past. Join us at the Thomas Crane Public Library at 40 Washington St. in Quincy […]
Six years ago, vessel biographer Randy Biddle decided to investigate the origin story and likely appearance of a small, schooner named Hannah, owned in Marblehead by John Glover. On October 10, 1775. she became famous for her harrowing engagement with, and narrow escape from the much larger British naval vessel, Nautilus, near the entrance to […]
Newburyport's Road to Revolution Presents: Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold's March to Quebec, 1775 📅 Friday, September 19, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.📍 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Newburyport, MA Exactly 250 years to the day after Benedict Arnold led his troops out of Newburyport, join us for a captivating lecture by historian and author Tom […]
Presented by William J. Federer, best-selling author and nationally-known speaker Performing Arts Center, Brewster, Cape Cod Free, In person & livestreamed Part of a year-long a monthly lecture series celebrating God's miraculous acts during our nation’s fight for Independence. Each lecture highlights key moments of divine intervention that took place during the Revolutionary War—Remarkable stories […]
On September 19, 1775, over 1,100 men departed Newburyport on a secret mission to capture Quebec—led by Benedict Arnold and planned with George Washington. Join Jack Santos as he recounts the stories of Newburyport’s patriots on this daring expedition through the wilderness as we celebrate its 250th anniversary. 250 years ago this year, on the […]
You probably know of “Shays' Rebellion” as the time where ‘farmers who were angry about taxes’ ‘created unrest’ that exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, causing the Founding Fathers to write the Constitution. Author Daniel Bullen has recently published a history that tells the story of what happened from the people’s perspective. Daniel […]
With the New Bedford Free Public Library Melissa “Sawhand” Philley, graphic artist and illustrator gives a talk about her latest graphic novel: Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch, an artistic collaboration with history professor, Dr. Sarah Crabtree. This talk will include an artist-led activity and other fun games. This is taking place […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
Uncover the overlooked role of patriot artists—women, Black men enslaved and free, and people of mixed race—who shaped the Revolution through art, espionage, and activism across America, London, and Paris. Their work helped inspire rebellion and forge a new political culture, almost always armed with wax, paint, and wit rather than a musket or bayonet. […]
Free, In-person & livestreamed Performing Arts Center, Brewster Presented by Mr. Rod Gragg, author and historian, this presentation surveys the impact of the Judeo-Christian worldview on the American Revolution from the early Colonial Era through the American victory at the Battle of Yorktown and formation of the United States of America. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org […]
Concord Museum Forum: Annual Sally Lanagan Forum Join historian Zara Anishanslin and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston curator Erica Hirshler for a conversation about Dr. Anishanslin new book, The Painter’s Fire, which tells the gripping story of three revolutionary artists – Robert Edge Pine, Prince Demah, and Patience Wright – who used their creative talents […]
Opening reception with a presentation about the artist. The Longmeadow Historical Society is proud to announce a retrospective exhibition of the art works of Alice Faith Willard (1866-1946), during the month of October 2025. Alice Willard was the first art teacher in the Longmeadow Schools, implementing the Massachusetts Drawing Act of 1870 based on her […]
Opening reception with a presentation about the artist. The Longmeadow Historical Society is proud to announce a retrospective exhibition of the art works of Alice Faith Willard (1866-1946), during the month of October 2025. Alice Willard was the first art teacher in the Longmeadow Schools, implementing the Massachusetts Drawing Act of 1870 based on her […]
Please join us on October 16, 2025, at 6 PM, for " 'Within the compass of good citizens:' Paul Revere’s Masonic Journey" with Steven C. Bullock, Professor of History at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. From the son of an immigrant to speaking beside the governor on Beacon Hill, Paul Revere traveled far in his extraordinary life. […]
Blandford, Massachusetts, is a small town with a big history rooted in the American Revolution in unexpected ways. See and hear its stories come alive from a dispatcher running clandestine operations for the military while still serving patrons at the family tavern to a selectman who secretly participated in the Boston Tea Party and more. […]
An Afternoon of Revolutionary Ipswich History with four vignettes at the Ipswich Museum and the Whipple House in Historic Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2:00 – 2:30 pm: Encore presentation of “Within These Walls” on the Heard House, Ipswich Museum grounds. For 200 years, a Georgian-style, timber-framed house stood at the corner of Elm and County Streets in […]
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 5:30 and the program will begin 6:00 PM. Many of us give only a moment’s thought about the environment when considering […]
The Friends of Old Ship Meeting House invite you to join us for a special program: "The Supreme Court and Judicial Independence in the Early Republic." We are honored to welcome as our guest speaker Hingham native Ethan V. Torrey, who serves as the Legal Counsel of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ethan’s […]
Visit with Master Potter Rick Hamelin at the Dwight House aka the Apprentice House at Historic Deerfield, Deerfield MA. For over 48 years, Rick has told the stories of the potters of New England while demonstrating on the potter's wheel how a variety of pots are made . This entertaining celebration of the potters who […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
As part of Massachusetts’ commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the Destination Groton Committee will host Donald R. Ryan for an author talk and book signing of his new work, Colonel William Prescott: Heroic Commander of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Sunday November 2, from 2-4 pm at the […]
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward Larson for a timely forum on his forthcoming book, Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Larson offers a powerful reexamination of the ideas, debates, and military turning points that made independence possible. From Common Sense to the Declaration itself, and from […]
Back by popular demand, this encore virtual tour of the Congregational Library & Archives’ new in-person exhibition, Sacred Rebellion, will be hosted by Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts and New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and Sacred Rebellion curator Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American Revolution began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological […]
You are cordially invited to attend DHPT's Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Location: the North Dartmouth Public Library at 211 Cross Road, off Route 6 and close to I195. Following a short business meeting, DHPT will welcome our featured speaker. Lee McColgan, author of A HOUSE RESTORED, The TRAGEDIES and TRIUMPHS of SAVING […]
Step back to the eve of the American Revolution and discover the foods that sustained Massachusetts households, soldiers, and farmers. Join the 18th Century Cook, Michael Duncan Smith, for an engaging afternoon exploring local foodways in the 1770s. Learn how everyday meals compared with fine dining, what rations soldiers received before the Battle of Bunker […]
"I Screamed With All My Might” The Civilians Trapped Behind the Boston Siege Lines A Rev 250 talk by historian and author Alex Cain Alex returns to talk about the eleven month Siege of Boston April 1775 – March 1776. Setting the scene: The British were trapped in Boston and everyday citizens experienced relentless hardships […]
Join us in Springfield November 20 and 21st, 2025! The University of Wyoming College of Law’s Firearms Research Center, in partnership with Springfield Armory National Historic Site, invites you to an academic conference exploring the complex role of firearms in Revolutionary America. Through thought-provoking panels, lectures, and discussions, the program will delve into topics such […]
Joel Bohy, military historian and Antiques Roadshow presenter, will give a lecture on Lexington’s Revolutionary War veterans at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library on November 20, 2025, followed by a signing of his 2025 book, Bullet Strikes From the First Day of the American Revolution. The lecture will take a closer look at […]
Join us in Springfield November 20 and 21st, 2025! The University of Wyoming College of Law’s Firearms Research Center, in partnership with Springfield Armory National Historic Site, invites you to an academic conference exploring the complex role of firearms in Revolutionary America. Through thought-provoking panels, lectures, and discussions, the program will delve into topics such […]
November 22, 2025, 3:30 pm, Presented by G. Thomas Ryan Before they arrived at Plymouth, the Pilgrims arrived in the midst of the Nauset Tribe and spent a month exploring the Outer Cape. History can describe trends over centuries and sharing the story through actual events allows all to appreciate the past through named men […]
To mark the 250th anniversaries of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States, a coalition of Cambridge non-profits and government agencies will present Washington in American Memory, a seven-part speaker series taking place in-person and online. Debunk myths and trace the evolution of the public memory of George Washington in Cambridge, Massachusetts, […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
Who first thought of putting molasses in baked beans? Discover New England food culture’s Revolutionary roots and explore how it shaped ideas about regional identity, who belongs here, and whose stories get told. Meg Muckenhoupt is a freelance writer and author of The Truth About Baked Beans and Cabbage: A Global History, among others. Her […]
In Person & Livestreamed from the Performing Arts Center Presented by Roger Williams as part of a year-long series, God of Our Fathers: The Mighty Miracles of the American Revolution. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org FREE
Residents of Charlemont and beyond will remember the Boston Tea Party with a talk by Emily Dickinson Museum director Jane Wald. Wald will touch on the social functions of tea in 19th-century America (and at the end of the 18th century with the Boston Tea Party) and show photographs of tea paraphernalia in the museum's […]
Join us in the RJD parlors as Dr. Sarah Crabtree gives an illustrated talk addressing themes in her book: Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch. Sarah Crabtree is a Professor of History at San Francisco State University. Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! (PSUP, March 2026) is her second book. She is also the […]
In person and livestreamed from the Performing Arts Center, Brewster Presented by Dr. Peter Lillback This sixth lecture in the America 250 series will highlight the miracle of Winter at Valley Forge (1777-1778). In particular, this talk will offer a study of George Washington’s reliance on God, and a defining moment of George Washington’s faith […]
The public is invited to the Winter Meeting of the Agawam Historical Association on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, when Springfield Armory National Historic Site Curator Alex MacKenzie will present “The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield,” revealing its […]
The public is invited to the Winter Meeting of the Agawam Historical Association on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, when Springfield Armory National Historic Site Curator Alex MacKenzie will present “The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield,” revealing its […]
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 how Americans have remembered, reinterpreted, and reshaped the meaning of the American Revolution from 1776 to today, featuring: -Colin Gordon […]
The American Revolution comes to Stockbridge! Please join us for a day of programs and events to mark the 250th anniversary of the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed. Stretching along Main Street from the Town Offices to the Mission House, activities will include a quartermaster’s tent displaying the kinds of things […]
The American Revolution comes to Stockbridge! Please join us for a day of programs and events to mark the 250th anniversary of the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed. Throughout the day: Visit the Mission House, which will be set up as a tavern with hot drinks and baked goods available. Discuss […]
Paul Revere is an American icon, but how much does the story of the Midnight Ride hold up, and why? This program will explore Revere and his famous ride and offer some insights into other aspects of his life. Revere was a silversmith with several side jobs, an active member of the Freemasons, and a […]
Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is reimagining its 18th-century galleries of the Art of the Americas Wing for the first time since 2010. This major reinstallation brings together works from across the Americas, highlighting the interconnected histories of the continent and examining how artists have contributed […]
Experience the Tavern Tradition -- history shared out loud among neighbors. Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville. Part 1 (1/26): Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Gibraltar of North America" Part 2 (2/9): "The Noble Train Arrives: Knox, Washington and […]
Acton 250 Committee Presents with Alexander Cain, JD Wednesday, January 28th 7:00 – 8:30 PM Acton Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Room 204 In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, numerous civilians found themselves trapped within Boston, encircled by the newly formed Massachusetts Grand Army. The constant fear of an […]
In this virtual talk, historian Michael D. Hattem will discuss Americans’ uniquely emotional connection to the memory of the Revolution, its central role in American history as a contested national “origin myth,” and how revising the past is an important and long‑standing American political tradition. Americans agree that their nation’s origins lie in the Revolution, […]
Historian Alexander Cain returns to Newburyport to explore one of the most tense and transformative moments in American history in this engaging lecture on Massachusetts and Newburyport in early 1776. As the Siege of Boston drags through a bitter winter, he will discuss civilian suffering inside the town, the controversial use of smallpox in efforts […]
Historian Alexander Cain returns to Newburyport to explore one of the most tense and transformative moments in American history in this engaging lecture on Massachusetts and Newburyport in early 1776. As the Siege of Boston drags through a bitter winter, he will discuss civilian suffering inside the town, the controversial use of smallpox in efforts […]
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. Consider how Americans understand the material culture of Washington and the Revolution, including art and clothing, featuring: -Zara Anishanslin, author of […]
Historian Andrew Burstein discusses his new book, Being Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History (January 2026), the culmination of three decades of research and writing on Jefferson, the Republic of Letters, and questions of intimacy, body and soul, in an early American context. Fifty years after Fawn Brodie shocked the history profession with her Freudian-tinged psychobiography […]
Join us for the Canadian perspective on the Arnold Expedition and the last siege of Québec in 1775-1776. During the first months of the War of Independence, the Continental Army set its sights on the Province of Quebec. This British colony, born from the ashes of New France, is equally a threat and an opportunity […]
American 250 Lecture Series, In Person and Livestreamed February 7, 2026, 3:30 pm Performing Arts Center, Brewster Presented by Stephen McDowell, President of Providence Foundation Join us for a year-long series of monthly lectures celebrating God’s miraculous acts during our nation’s fight for Independence. Free admission for all. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org FREE
Experience the Tavern Tradition -- history shared out loud among neighbors. Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville. Part 1 (1/26): Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Gibraltar of North America" Part 2 (2/9): "The Noble Train Arrives: Knox, Washington and […]
For the past two years, Brian Plumb (Inn historian, author, and member of the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe & Drum Companie) has been gathering historic images of the Wayside Inn from archives and collections across the country. Many of these images have never before been publicly seen and, for the first time ever, have been brought […]
Come learn about the siege and its impacts on the harbor front communities of Boston! 250 Years Later; The Siege and Its Impacts on Boston's Harbor Front Communities Following the battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, Boston became the center of a quickly developing war between rebelling colonists and the forces of […]
While researching her Revolutionary War ancestor, General John Glover, Jane Woolsey Gropp of Lexington learned about the Marbleheaders, a group of fishermen and sailors from the coastal town of Marblehead who played a crucial role in several key military operations during the war. They were a diverse group, including free African Americans and Native Americans, […]
How did Hingham’s free and enslaved Black population experience the American Revolution? Join local historian Paula Bagger as she unpacks previously untold stories of service both on the battlefield and the home front. Paula Bagger is a premier historian of Hingham history. In 2024, she was honored with the Judith Kimball Award in recognition of […]
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this webinar, co-hosted by The Immigration Learning Center and the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University, invites educators to examine how immigration has shaped the nation from the Revolutionary era to the present day. Learn about contributions […]
Free In-Person Special Event ArtsThursdays: Revolutionary Teas Thursday, February 26, 5:00–9:00 pm RSVPs encouraged Enter at Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge Join us for a free, fun evening at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology—perfect for a date night, a friends’ outing, or meeting new people. This special edition […]
This is a virtual event free to attend. Please visit here to register: https://www.masshist.org/events/indigenous-identity The American Revolution reverberated across New England, touching the lives of the many Indigenous peoples living there. The Northeastern tribal nations reacted to the conflict in support of their sovereign interests; some chose to fight, while others engaged in diplomatic conversations […]
Thursday, February 26th 7:00 – 8:30 PM Acton Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Room 204 In early 1776, the young Continental Army colonel Henry Knox moved dozens of heavy cannons and mortars from Lake Champlain to the siege lines around Boston; one of the most famous stories from the Revolutionary War. And like many famous […]
Speaker: Joyce E. Chaplin, James Duncan Phillips Professor of Early American History, Harvard University Ask anyone why Benjamin Franklin is famous and they will likely mention his role in the American Revolution. Yet Franklin’s celebrity began with his science. Decades before independence, Immanuel Kant hailed him as “the Modern Prometheus,” a bold defier of nature […]
Speaker: Joyce E. Chaplin, James Duncan Phillips Professor of Early American History, Harvard University Ask anyone why Benjamin Franklin is famous and they will likely mention his role in the American Revolution. Yet Franklin’s celebrity began with his science. Decades before independence, Immanuel Kant hailed him as “the Modern Prometheus,” a bold defier of nature […]
Step into wartime Newburyport with Alex Cain as loyalists face persecution, prices soar, and fear hangs heavy as we move to independence. In 1776, as war raged across the American colonies, the clash of armies echoed far beyond the battlefield into everyday life in Newburyport. Historian and fan favorite Alex Cain invites you to step […]
March 7, 2026 at 3:30 pm Performing Arts Center, Brewster America 250 Series In Person & Livestreamed The Miracle at Dorchester Heights, Independence, and American Values Presented by Larkin Spivey, decorated Vietnam veteran, historian, and author Join us for a year-long a series of monthly lectures celebrating God's miraculous acts during our nation’s fight for […]
The event will start with a 20 minute media show by Jonathan Barkan- an excellent overview of Henry Knox's journey. The rest of the talk will be an illustrated powerpoint talk about the route Knox and his teamsters followed through the Berkshires on their way to Boston. Total about 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A. […]
As the U.S. marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War, local historians have delved deeply into the history of the Revolution in Old Dartmouth. Different approaches reveal new and exciting stories related to the 1770s and 1780s in the areas now called Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Acushnet. Join us this March […]
Join us for a virtual talk exploring the Siege of Boston – its origins, impacts, and conclusion – and how the departure of the British Military from Boston would influence the pivotal year of 1776 and what became the Revolutionary War. Virtual: Please register with the Boston Public Library (https://bpl.libcal.com/event/16163728).
Join Chief Historian Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai for "What Kind of Nation?", 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-march-12-2026
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. Retrace George Washington’s post-inaugural journeys and explore how he sought to unite a fragile new nation, featuring: -Peter Drummey, Chief Historian […]
Please join Mike Manning, South Boston native and amateur military historian, in a discussion of "Evacuation Day" and its 250th anniversary Join South Boston native and amateur military historian Mike Manning for an engaging, in-person discussion exploring the history and meaning of Evacuation Day alongside St. Patrick’s Day. This educational program covers key topics from […]
Step back in time at Dorchester Heights and experience an American Revolution era artillery encampment brought to life. See authentic cannons up close and learn about the British evacuation of Boston in 1776. This hands-on, family-friendly program offers a vivid look at the technology and teamwork that helped change the course of American history. Visitors […]
On October 17, an entire British army surrendered for the first time in remote upstate New York. Discover how the American Northern Army successfully stopped a British invasion from Canada during the Saratoga Campaign of 1777. Garrett Cloer, Program Manager for Interpretation and Visitor Experience at Saratoga National Historical Park joins us to discuss one […]
One of the most strategic and decisive victories of the Revolutionary War, the bold action of Patriots (including men of Yarmouth) at Dorchester Heights fooled the British navy into ending its siege of Boston, fleeing on March 17, 1776. Come see and hear the stories in an interactive portrayal of “Yarmouth Patriots” who were part […]
Ezekiel How is best remembered for his role as leader of the Sudbury Companies of Militia who fought at Battle Road on April 19, 1775. His other military experience included militia support during the French and Indian War and responsibilities as a Colonel in the Continental Army following the Declaration of Independence. But did you […]
