MA250

Burial Hill Tour Series – Revolutionary Connections
2025-07-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Plymouth Burial Hill Cemetery, Town Square 19, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
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 Anniversary of the American Revolution with a series theme of “Revolutionary Connections.” Each monthly tour highlights the Revolutionary era in Plymouth with insights into South Shore connections to America’s contest for independence. Presenters include local historians and authors who share their expertise on a range of topics, highlighting art, history, and culture atop the open-air history museum in the heart of downtown Plymouth, Burial Hill.
Severe weather may cancel tour. Stay up to date with us on our Facebook page and visit pilgrimhall.org or plymouthantiquarian.org for more information on the continuing Burial Hill tour series.

The Loyalist Counter-Insurgency, 1775: Rebel Nightmare, British Opportunity?
2025-07-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:00 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
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 eruption of violence on the following April 19 put an end to any hopes General Gage may have had of Loyalist ascent in Massachusetts. But Professor Len Travers will argue in this presentation that, for the three tense months preceding, two Massachusetts communities offered the enticing possibility of an “Americanization” of the coming conflict.
Admission includes brief tour of the 1699 Isaac Winslow House

1775 - A Bad Year for Massachusetts
2025-07-08 10:30 - 12:00 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
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 worked? The rebels apparently feared so . . .
The eruption of violence on the following April 19 put an end to any hopes General Gage may have had of Loyalist ascent in Massachusetts. But Professor Len Travers will argue in this presentation that, for the three tense months preceding, two Massachusetts communities offered the enticing possibility of an “Americanization” of the coming conflict.
Members: $5/Non Members $10
Len Travers holds the title of Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. He authored Celebrating the Fourth: Independence Day and the Rites of Nationalism in the Early Republic (1997) and Hodges’ Scout: A Lost Patrol of the French and Indian War (2015). His research focuses on how violence—whether imagined, threatened, or actual—has shaped and continues to shape American societies, politics, and identities.

Weaving An Address - Curator Tour and Author Talk
2025-07-19 15:00 - 17:30 | The Umbrella Arts Center, Stow Street 40, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 the artwork installed at Brister’s Hill in Walden Woods, named for Brister Freeman, an enslaved man who won his freedom by serving in the Revolutionary War and then bought the property and lived there along with other formerly enslaved before Thoreau.
The tour will be followed at 4:30PM by refreshments and a panel discussion back at The Umbrella Arts Center (40 Stow Street, Concord, MA) with McLeod in dialogue with historian Elise Lemire, author of Black Walden: Slavery and Its Aftermath in Concord, Massachusetts, who was recently a subject of the new international documentary, Concord’s Secret History, just released on over 500 PBS stations. Saturday’s discussion will examine the “journey from archive to art,” and Lemire’s scholarly research that fueled Weaving’s creative installations.
Part of the town’s Revolution250 celebrations, this program is co-presented by The Umbrella Arts Center, The Walden Woods Project and The Robbins House: Concord’s African American History Museum. It featured work by artists Sharon Chandler Correnty, Ifé Franklin, Stephen Hamilton, Whitney Harris, Ekua Holmes, Perla Mabel, Marla McLeod, Kimberly Love Radcliffe, and Anthony Peyton Young.
Learn more at https://theumbrellaarts.org/weaving

Joshua Winslow: Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire...
2025-07-20 12:00 - 16:00 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
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
2025-07-26 13:00 - 17:00 | Falmouth Museums on the Green, Palmer Avenue 55, Falmouth, MA, 02540, United States
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 250th anniversary of independence, this event will shed light on the region’s contributions, from battling British ships to communities facing political division and economic hardship. Discover the everyday experiences that shaped our coastal towns during this turbulent period in history
Speakers & Topics:
🔹 Ron Peterson – Chair of the Orleans Historical Commission and member of the Orleans Historic District Study Committee, discussing the Cape’s maritime involvement in the war, including privateering and naval engagements.
🔹 Nancy Shoemaker – Town Historical Commissioner and historian of the Barnstable and West Barnstable Historical Societies, examining the impact of the Revolution on local communities and families, including how towns navigated shifting allegiances, supply shortages, and military service.
Event Schedule:
📌 1:00 – 1:30 PM – Welcome & Introductions
📌 1:30 – 2:30 PM – Ron Peterson: The Cape’s Maritime Role in the Revolution (Q&A to follow)
📌 2:30 – 2:45 PM – Break
📌 2:45 – 3:45 PM – Nancy Shoemaker: Life on the Homefront During the Revolution (Q&A to follow)
📌 4:00 – 5:00 PM – Wine & Cheese Reception – Enjoy a delightful reception in the elegant Portrait Gallery of the c. 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House, the historic home of a Revolutionary War veteran. Guests are invited to take self-guided tours of the museum’s exhibits and explore the beautifully maintained heritage gardens, offering a serene and historic backdrop to conclude the day’s discussions.
Reserve Your Spot!
Seating is limited to 65 attendees, so secure your place for this unique opportunity to delve into local Revolutionary War history. Join us for an enriching afternoon of engaging discussions, fascinating insights, and a chance to connect with fellow history enthusiasts at the Falmouth Museums on the Green.
MUSEUMS ON THE GREEN
55 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth MA
Lectures and reception observing the role of Cape Cod and Islands during the early years of the American Revolution
Seating is limited
Purchase TICKETS $125pp supporting Cape Cod historic preservation effort
Thank you to our Sponsors!
– Hutker Architects
– Boojee Calfee – In memory of the Halletts, “Falmouth was fortunate that Dudley & Julia Hallet were so instrumental in the Museums’ growth and played such a huge role in keeping Falmouth’s past alive.”

Marshfield 1775
2025-08-05 10:30 - 12:00 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
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. This year marks the 250th anniversary of that historic event, which ignited the American Revolution.

Local Maritime History
2025-08-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Tapley Memorial Hall, 13 Page Street, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
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 to Culture program.
Danvers Historical Society: 978-777-1666 or E-mail to connect@danvershistory.org

Historic Clothing Parlor Talk: Military Uniforms Across Time
2025-08-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Hedge House Museum, 126 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360
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 of the late 18th century, revealing how fashion reflected social status and the daily challenges of life during the Revolutionary Era.

Miraculous Encounters at the Battle of Brooklyn
2025-08-15 19:30 - 20:30 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
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 the Continental Army to carry out a silent overnight evacuation to safety. Join us for this compelling virtual presentation by Chris Stewart—and be part of the live audience to ask your questions!

First Shot of the American Revolution?
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Tapley Memorial Hall, 13 Page Street, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
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 ‘First’ shot fired in that War possibly occurring in Danvers Massachusetts on August 24, 1774.

Gallery Talk: Rebels, Rights & Revolution: The Adams Family & The Battle of Bunker Hill
2025-09-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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 explore the rest of the exhibition and ask questions.

Benedict Arnold in Danvers
2025-09-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Tapley Memorial Hall, 13 Page Street, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
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, on their way to Newburyport where they embarked for the Kennebec and their famous march through the pathless wilds of Maine successfully accomplished in spite of formidable obstacles and excessive privations.

Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution
2025-09-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
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 the faculty of the University of Virginia, where he edited The Papers of George Washington. As executive director of the Society of the Cincinnati, he was the founding director of the American Revolution Institute. He is currently the Foundation of American Ideals’ Chief Executive and edits the foundation’s magazine, The American Crisis (www.americanideal.org). Mr. Warren has been featured in David Rubenstein’s The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians. He has also appeared on the PBS NewsHour, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, American Presidents, and NPR’s All Things Considered. He is also a historical advisor to the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. A native of Washington, DC, Mr. Warren lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Panel Discussion: "Confronting Boston's Legacy of Slavery: The Power of Faith and the Art of Remembrance"Art of
2025-09-15 17:30 - 20:00 | Museum of African American History, Joy Street 46, Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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, who will reflect on Boston’s role in slavery, the power of faith and art in confronting painful histories, and how remembrance can inspire new paths toward justice and reconciliation. This discussion is free and open to the public, however space is limited. RSVP requested.

Greene and Cornwallis in the Carolinas: The Pivotal Struggle of the American Revolution 1780-1781
2025-09-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Thomas Crane Public Library, Washington Street 40, Quincy, MA, 02169, United States
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 Center on Monday, September 15 from 7 – 8 PM for a history talk from author and historian, Jeffrey A. Denman on Greene and Cornwallis in the Carolinas: The Pivotal Struggle of the American Revolution 1780-1781! Jeffrey A. Denman, local author, retired teacher, and historian will be discussing his first book about Nathanael Greene and Charles Cornwallis and their all-important campaign in the South which led to the conclusion of the war at Yorktown.
Denman is the author of seven journal and magazine articles dealing with subjects ranging from the American Revolution to World War II, as well as co-author of Greene and Cornwallis in the Carolinas: The Pivotal Struggle of the American Revolution, 1780-1781 and his most recent book, John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist. His third book, The Philadelphia Quakers and the American Revolution is currently in production and is about the brutal suppression of the Philadelphia Quakers during the American Revolution. Learn more about Jeffrey A. Denman and his work at www.jeffreyadenman.com
This program is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library.

John Glover's Schooner Hannah
2025-09-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
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 Beverly Harbor. This illustrated presentation will challenge the conventional wisdom about Hannah. Zoom only.

Newburyport's Revolution: Through a Howling Wilderness: 1775 March to Quebec
2025-09-19 19:00 - 20:30 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 166 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
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 Desjardin on one of the most extraordinary—yet often overlooked—episodes of the American Revolution.
In September 1775, Arnold commanded eleven hundred Colonial soldiers on a daring, top-secret mission: to march and paddle nearly 200 miles through the untamed wilderness of Maine and Quebec to seize British-held Quebec City. It was a journey marked by hypothermia, disease, starvation, hurricanes, and blizzards. Dozens perished; survivors endured eating everything from dogs to lip salve before reaching their target. Though the attack ultimately failed, Arnold’s expedition helped pave the way for America’s eventual victory.
In Through a Howling Wilderness, Desjardin tells this gripping story of endurance, sacrifice, and leadership before Arnold’s name became synonymous with treason.
About the Speaker: Tom Desjardin holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History and is the author of multiple acclaimed books. A former archivist and historian at Gettysburg National Military Park, he has taught at Bowdoin College, advised film and television productions (including Gettysburg and Gods and Generals), and appeared on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery, PBS, and CSPAN. He is a former Commissioner of Education for Maine and director of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

The Miracle of the Battle of Saratoga
2025-09-20 19:30 - 20:30 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
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 of timely reinforcements, inexplicable weather events, and the unwavering perseverance of the patriots and militias against overwhelming odds. 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org

The 1775 Quebec Expedition from Newburyport: Following Their Footsteps
2025-09-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Central Congregational Church, Titcomb Street 14, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
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 19th of September, 1775, 1100 farmers, soldiers, merchants, teachers, and laborers left Newburyport on eleven ships for a secret, bold attack on Quebec City.
Had the plan worked, there likely would have been no revolutionary war, and Quebec would have been the 14th state in a new United States of America.
Relatively recently, Jack Santos put his hiking boots on his feet, and his kayak on his car, to follow Arnold’s trail through Maine. He followed the diary, maps, and stories of Newburyport soldiers. He visited the same stopping points, slogged through the same mud, and got bitten by the descendants of the mosquitoes of that era.
We’ll hear the stories of Newburyporters like Caleb Haskell, Rev Samuel Spring, Jeremiah Wheelwright and others, describing their experiences during that ill-fated journey to liberate Quebec.
Join us to hear about this exciting trek through the Maine backwoods, in a way that presents it as a travelogue of a trip that you, too, can do – highlighting historical locations, museums, and displays to visit first hand.
Central Congregation Church 14 Titcomb Street Newburyport, MA 01950at 3 p.m.

Daniel Shays’ Honorable Rebellion
2025-09-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Richard Salter Storrs Library, 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA, 01106, United States
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 Shays’ Honorable Rebellion shows that Shays and thousands of farmers were not trying to overthrow the government. They were protesting flagrantly unjust economic policies that were forcing them off their land, all to pay windfall profits to financiers. And the book draws on extensive research to show that the farmers kept the peace through five months of protests and won reforms in an electoral landslide. In a lecture and discussion program with deep contemporary relevance, Bullen will tell the story of this key moment in America’s legacy of dignified, nonviolent protest.
Daniel Bullen holds a Ph.D. in American literature. He is the author of two other books, The Love Lives of the Artists: Five Stories of Creative Intimacy and The Dangers of Passion: The Transcendental Friendship of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller. He lives in western Massachusetts.

History Happens in Graphic Novels: Artist’s Talk
2025-10-01 18:30 - 19:30 | New Bedford Free Public Library, Pleasant Street 613, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02740, United States
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 at the New Bedford Free Public Library
This talk is a part of the project titled, “America’s 250th: Unraveling the Revolutionary Journey of William Rotch Sr.”. The project explores a new historical graphic novel about the life of William Rotch Sr., penned by Dr. Sarah Crabtree and illustrated by Melissa Philley, through a series of programs and an exhibition of about 20 artworks from the book, opening at the RJD on November 20. It is funded by Eastern National, a non-profit partner of the National Park Service

Concord Museum Forum: The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution
2025-10-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
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. Among these daring figures were enslaved artists with deep ties to Massachusetts, including famous poet Phillis Wheatley and portrait painter Prince Demah. Together, the experiences of this extraordinary artistic cohort testify to both the promise and the limits of liberty in the founding era.
Zara Anishanslin is Associate Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware. She is the author of the award-winning Portrait of a Woman in Silk: Hidden Histories of the British Atlantic World and has served as a historical consultant for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and “Hamilton: The Exhibition.”

By the Hand of Providence: How Faith Shaped the American Revolution
2025-10-05 15:30 - 17:00 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
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 FREE

Concord Museum Forum: The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution
2025-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 to challenge the British monarchy and advance the cause of liberty. Spanning continents and social boundaries, their lives offer a bold new lens on the American Revolution and the power of art to shape political change in an era of radical transformation.
Free Members | $10 Non-Members | Free Virtual

ALICE FAITH WILLARD: ARTIST, TEACHER & PIONEER - A Retrospective Exhibition of the artwork of Alice Faith Willard
2025-10-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Richard Salter Storrs Library, 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA, 01106, United States
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 training at the Massachusetts Normal Art School (now MassArt). She extended her leadership to Springfield, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Ludlow, and Wilbraham. Once established as an artist and teacher, she went on to study with William Merritt Chase at the Shinnecock Art Colony on Long Island, NY in 1897.
The retrospective is sponsored by the Longmeadow Historical Society in cooperation with the Richard Salter Storrs Library. It includes watercolors, oils, pencil and charcoal sketches and drawings, gel prints, and miscellaneous personal items. In 1999 and again in 2025, family members donated the majority of her known pieces of artwork to the Longmeadow Historical Society. Researched and curated by Historical Society board member Robert Abel, “Alice Faith Willard: Artist, Teacher, and Pioneer” is the first public exhibition of Willard’s works since her death almost 80 years ago.
