Harborfest
Christopher Columbus Park 100 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA, United StatesAmerica's Finest Fourth of July Festival
Across the State of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. Bookmark this page to join events and celebrations statewide.
America's Finest Fourth of July Festival
Concord Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Start your July 4th Holiday by observing the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts (AHAC) Fourth of July Parade.
The Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston, MA is a cherished tradition that brings history to life. Held annually, this event gathers crowds in historic locations such as Faneuil Hall or the Old State House to witness the powerful words of the founding document being recited. With passionate speakers and a reverent atmosphere, this reading commemorates the spirit of liberty and serves as a reminder of the ideals that shaped the nation's journey towards independence.
4th of July Parade and Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Lincoln 4th of July Parade
Picnic
Declaring Independence, Then and Now
The Boston Pops July 4th Spectacular is returning for 2024! The Boston Pops July 4th Spectacular is slated to take place at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade starting at 8:00pm. Keith Lockhart will lead a program featuring the Boston Pops orchestra with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and R&B/soul singer Darlene Love, […]
Countdown to the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the first battle of the Revolutionary War
250th Event
The Concord Museum will offer free admission for visitors to visit the immersive April 19, 1775 gallery to see one of the original “One if by land, two if by sea” lanterns hung in the North Church as a signal on the night of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride.
Countdown to the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the first battle of the Revolutionary War
The National Parks of Boston and Plays in Place are excited to announce the production of the first play in the Suffrage in Black and White series At the Massachusetts State House, on February 21, 1838, exiled Southerner Angelina Grimké becomes the first American woman to address a legislative body. Her powerful speech about abolition […]
The National Parks of Boston and Plays in Place are excited to announce the production of the first play in the Suffrage in Black and White series At the Massachusetts State House, on February 21, 1838, exiled Southerner Angelina Grimké becomes the first American woman to address a legislative body. Her powerful speech about abolition […]
Farewell Tour Visits
Welcome at the Shirley-Eustis House
Breakfast at Shirley-Eustis House
Visit the Boston Commons
Visits Charlestown MA
Visits Medford MA
Visits Quincy MA
Visits Lynn, MA
Visits Newburyport
Visits Chelsea, MA
To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th-century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units – the forerunner of today’s National Guard. Militia musters often saw the various militia companies of several towns coming together for a regimental muster. These would have been grand spectacles with townspeople coming […]
Visits Marblehead, MA
Visits Salem, MA: Picnic
Visits Beverly, MA
Visits Ipswich, MA
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Powder Alarm, the Somerville Museum is partnering with the City of Somerville to produce a re-enactment of the historic event, followed by a living history fair. The fair will include docent tours of the Powder House, activity tables, and even a scavenger hunt of the park! The re-enactment […]
Visits Arlington, MA
Visits Lexington, MA
200th Anniversary Townwide Celebration of Lafayettes's 1824 Farewell Tour in Concord
Visits Bolton, MA
Visits Lancaster, MA
Visits Sterling, MA
Visits West Boylston, MA
Visits Worcester, MA
Visits Rochdale, MA
Visits Charlton, MA
Visits Sturbridge, MA
This year marks the Bicentennial celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of the United States! Throughout his yearlong tour of all 24 states, Americans honored Lafayette with a parade and great fanfare at almost every stop he made. Local craftspeople also produced many types of commemorative memorabilia, such as the pictured drum, baby […]
On Saturday, September 7th at 10am in the Old Burying Ground join the Arlington 250th Committee and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot during the unveiling and commemoration of the memorial to the fallen British soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Menotomy on April 19th, 1775. Welcome Angela Olszewski Co-Chair, Arlington […]
Living History Timeline Exhibition and Encampment Event Experience the uniforms, equipment, music, and lifestyles of soldiers from the Ancient Roman Legions thru Vietnam eras, encamped on historic Redway Plain! Walk among the camps and time travel through history to experience what life was like during many eras of history all at one event! Various demonstrations, […]
Living History Timeline Exhibition and Encampment Event Experience the uniforms, equipment, music, and lifestyles of soldiers from the Ancient Roman Legions thru Vietnam eras, encamped on historic Redway Plain! Walk among the camps and time travel through history to experience what life was like during many eras of history all at one event! Various demonstrations, […]
The Board of 51 Walden and the Concord Orchestra are arranging for well-known Canadian pianist Louise Bessette to play Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata at 51 Walden on Sunday afternoon September 8, 2024. As part of the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the fight at the Old North Bridge, Canadian pianist Louise Bessette will […]
Come join us in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! We can’t wait to share our new Colonial Style Brown Ale brewed with molasses. Food truck: Twizted Pickle; Hand Crafted Sandwiches and Pickle Specialty Food Truck
Named a best book of the year by The Wall Street Journal, one of the most acclaimed and original colonial historians of our time, Mary Beth Norton, shares her landmark text 1774: The Long Year of Revolution chronicling the changes that occurred from December 1773 to April 1775—from the Boston Tea Party to the Battles […]
Learn about Marbleheaders during the Revolutionary War and visit various historic sites in town during this weekend-long event. Pick up a program book and experience Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various sites in the Historic District. Meet the wife of war hero, James Mugford; explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s Regiment; meet diarist Ashley Bowen portrayed by […]
Chelsea Day
What makes someone who becomes famous, famous? Harvard law professor, public intellectual, and bestselling author Cass Sunstein offers clear and surprising answers in his new book How To Become Famous: Lost Einsteins, Forgotten Superstars, and How the Beatles Came to Be. Using modern data analysis techniques to show the role of accident and serendipity in […]
Historian Mary Fuhrer returns to explore this critical point in Acton history in the next edition of the Acton 250 lecture series. Remote Participation: You can participate in the Q&A using ZOOM http://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOM or watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Please see https://www.actonma.gov/250 for all programming information and a link to our commemorative store. What happened in Acton on that fateful day, […]
More than 20 Fyfe and Drum corps parade past the 300 year-old Inn, where flintlock muskets thunder and Militia and Redcoats clash on the muster filed.
The 98th Hingham Historic House Tour features six private homes once occupied by American Revolutionary War Patriots. Each of the stunning private homes featured on the tour, as well as the Society’s two House Museums: the Benjamin Lincoln House, and The Old Ordinary, in addition to the Old Ship Meeting House were all built before […]
Join the Acton 250 Committee and the Acton Memorial Library for this 21+ after hours library event featuring the Acton 250's Isaac Davis Brown Ale from Dirigible Brewing, the Acton Minutemen, colonial music, the unveiling of the new Isaac Davis Plow mural, food and more! Free entry. Merch available for purchase. A portion of ale […]
Renowned presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky, joins us for a conversation on John Adams’ five year-battle to defend the presidency. 1797 wasn’t too different from 2024, with pandemics, battles over immigration and citizenship, legislation to limit free speech, foreign interference in national […]
Freedom Concert: Terry Borderline and the Suns Date: Saturday, October 5 Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Monument Square, Concord MA Join us for an electrifying performance by Terry Borderline and the Suns. This seven-piece band will perform a set of original songs about freedom, spirituality, nature, and social justice, including an original piece […]
Tour the site of the Great Salem Fire, October 6, 1774 with retired park ranger, Curtis White. The fire destroyed shops, a meeting-house, dwellings, and the Custom House. Was the fire a diversionary tactic to deter the arrest of Massachusetts delegates who met in defiance of the Massachusetts Government Act? The 1.25-mile walking tour will […]
On October 7, 1774, ninety chosen representatives met at Salem in defiance of General Gage’s order. They elected John Hancock to serve as chairman. They resolved to form themselves into “a Provincial Congress...to take into consideration the dangerous and alarming situation of public affairs in this province, and to consult and determine on such measures […]
Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. in South Acton. Register at ActonMemorialLibrary.org
The 2024 Massachusetts Provincial Congress “Exploring Democracy – Our Rights and Our Responsibilities” October 11, 2024 9:30am – 4:30pm First Parish in Concord and The Wright Tavern *Register here to attend* In October 1774, the political conflict between Great Britain and Massachusetts reached a crisis. Parliament enacted the “Intolerable Acts” to punish the province for […]
Join us for two days of special programs at Minute Man’s Historic Hartwell Tavern covering the experiences of everyday people as they prepared for winter and for war in 1774.
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the rebellious act of raising the “Liberty and Union” flag over the City of Taunton this October.
The Liberty & Union Festival, hosted by the Old Colony History Museum, is an annual event that transports you back in time to 1774 through historical reenactors, music, food, beer, and much more.
Freedom Concert: Terry Borderline and the Suns Date: Saturday, October 5 Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Monument Square, Concord MA Join us for an electrifying performance by Terry Borderline and the Suns. This seven-piece band will perform a set of original songs about freedom, spirituality, nature, and social justice, including an original piece […]
The renowned author of the classic “The Minutemen and their World” will share the unique conflicts and changes Acton and Concord citizens experienced in their economic and social lives that led up to dramatic events of 250 years ago. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7-8:30 PM Room 204, Acton Town Hall https://www.actonma.gov/250
Battle of Red Horse Tavern
Come celebrate General John Glover's Birthday upcoming 292nd birthday (November 5) at the Swampscott Public Library, 61 Burrill Street, Swampscott, Massachusetts. There will be an illustrated talk by members of Save the Glover and birthday cake! Free! All invited!
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Powder Alarm, the Somerville Museum is partnering with the City of Somerville to produce a re-enactment of the historic event, followed by a living history fair. The fair will include docent tours of the Powder House, activity tables, and even a scavenger hunt of the park! What was the […]
Discover Boston’s rich 400-year African American history! Many vibrant Black communities flourished in Boston stretching back to early colonial times. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6 PM Acton Memorial Library
Concord Events happening November 9, 10, and 11 to honor our Veterans
Northeastern University Professor Malcolm F. Purinton discusses the role of the tavern in local society as the colonies headed into the American Revolution. There were few places more important in colonial and revolutionary America than local community taverns that played witness to local, regional, and national events in American history. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7PM Acton […]
REV250 Lecture: J.J. Bell, Historian and blogger, presents "The Spies in Henry Barnes House: as part of the Hingham Historical Society 2024-2025 lecture series: Revisiting the American Revolution. The lecture series is an in-depth and expanded look at our Nation's founding drama; the series features renowned historians and writers each of who will share fascinating […]
Join us for a special award ceremony followed by a conversation between two Pulitzer Prize-winning biographical authors. In recognition of her career as an essayist and award-winning author, Stacy Schiff will be presented with the William Hickling Prescott Award for Excellence in Historical Writing by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in […]
Meet with thousands of social studies educators, administrators, and professionals from across the country to inspire your usage of best practices and rejuvenate with others in the social studies profession.
A talk by Andover independent historian Chris Boehmer Sunday, November 24 ~ 1:30-3:00pm Not all Native Americans in Massachusetts were invited to celebrate the harvest with English colonists. Some were enslaved by the colonists. In Andover in the 17th and 18th centuries, wealthy white families commonly enslaved one or more Africans or Native Americans. In […]
Congregational churches could be found in nearly every town across New England in the 1770s. The stories of Patriot ministers who inspired their congregations to Revolution have long been told. Increasingly we are learning more about the experience of the people sitting in the pews and how being part of a Congregational church community shaped […]
Native people remained in distinct communities during Revolutionary times. They sought to secure their rights, although in vastly diverse ways. Over a 30- year career, Professor Daniel Mandell has produced a body of work that tells the story of New England Native Americans from the time of first European contact through the formation of the […]
A talk by Joann Michalik If you missed our 18th century tavern night in April, here's your chance to experience it . . . with a holiday twist. The introduction of stage coaches along major roadways leads to taverns as inns, houses of entertainment and political headquarters. Learn about the role of rum in the […]
A once-in-a-lifetime paint restoration project is currently underway at the Old North Church in Boston! Expert conservators are painstakingly removing layers of white overpaint to reveal some of the church’s colonial-era artwork. By the spring of 2025, the team will uncover 16 angels in the balcony arches that were painted in the late 1720s and […]
A reeanactment of the Raising of America's First Flag
Commemorating a milestone of the American Revolution, January 1, 1776, when General Washington raised a new American flag over the highest point of the American fortifications surrounding the then-occupied City of Boston. Featuring a procession from City Hall in Somerville to Prospect Hill Park, followed by an hour-long program of activities. Numerous city officials, the […]
Join us for the first talk in our "Religion of Revolution: lecture series with historian, Dr. Katherine Carté. The Revolutionary War transformed religious life in America, not just for New England, but everywhere. Remembering New England’s important role in this national tale shows just how revolutionary—and how conservative—the era was. For most of the eighteenth […]
Akhil Amar, preeminent legal scholar and author of The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840, joins us at the Concord Museum for a timely conversation on the US Constitution, exploring the formative decades after its ratification and its resonance today.
REV250 Lecture: Joel Bohy, Director of Historic Arms & Militaria at Bruneau and Co. presents "Hingham's Revolutionary Canteens" as part of the Hingham Historical Society 2024-2025 lecture series: Revisiting the American Revolution. The series is an in-depth and expanded look at our Nation's founding drama; the series features renowned historians and writers each of who […]
The Acton 250 Committee presents Joel Bohy, a historic arms & militaria specialist at Blackstone Valley Auctions and Estates. Joel will discuss the arms and ammunition used by both British and provincial forces on April 19, 1775, as well as the battle damage that remain. Using modern shooting incident reconstruction, archaeology, live fire studies, and […]
Joel Bohy will present a study of the arms and ammunition used by both British and provincial forces on April 19, 1775, as well as the battle damage that remain. Using modern shooting incident reconstruction, archaeology, live fire studies, and new research, we can shed new light on the heavy fighting along the route of […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10am - 7pm January 31, 2025: 10am - 4pm February 1, 2025: 10am […]
In the 18th century, newspapers and pamphlets were crucial in spreading information and stoking the fires of conflict during the revolutionary period. Although printing was primarily seen as a masculine profession, women—such as widows, wives, and daughters—stepped up to embrace the responsibilities of a free press. These women not only set the type for the […]
USS Constitution Museum A Celebration of Ship Modeling and 250 Years of Naval Heritage. Presented by the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Masters of Miniature showcases the intricate and spectacular handcrafted Ship models from modelers across New England. From ninth-century ships to pleasure craft of today and everything in between, the show includes exquisite, handcrafted […]
Join us for a special ceremony commemorating Samuel Whittemore. Learn the story of Whittemore’s courageous acts on April 19, 1775 as the oldest known combatant in the entire Revolutionary War! Remarks at his monument in Whittemore Park will be followed by an open house and refreshments in the Dallin Museum and Cutter Gallery. This program […]
Concord Carlisle Adult Continuing Education offers online course: Concord250 Event, CCACE: “Understanding Town History for the Big 250!” with Victor Curran
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
Meet music history’s rebels and revolutionaries, from Monteverdi and Beethoven to our contemporaries and witness how, by breaking the rules, these composers changed the course of history. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Concord’s role in the American Revolution, the program will feature the world premiere of Unrest by local composer and CCM faculty […]
Hingham Historical Society kicks off the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with Lincoln Day 2025 - a community celebration of civic engagement. Lincoln Day celebrates civic engagement and reflects on the lives and legacies of General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) and President Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865). Born more than 70 years and 1,000 miles […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
The early American colonies faced significant cash problems, and various solutions were devised to address them. Money, or the lack of it, was a persistent issue in colonial America. The colonists were subject to British rule, where gold and silver were the official legal tender; however, British coins circulated only infrequently in the colonies. Lacking […]
USS Constitution Museum Come join us during February Vacation Week as the Museum hosts its annual LEGO®️Maritime Festival!!! As we count down to the Navy’s 250th Birthday, we are introducing special edition LEGO Kits of USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young and USS Nantucket! Come visit and let your creativity flourish as part of our Ship […]
In celebration of Presidents’ Day, historic guests, creative activities, live musical performances as well as Museum tours will bring the JFK Library to life in new ways for all ages. Enjoy performances of campaign songs and maker activities to highlight President Kennedy’s time in the White House, with additional elements focusing on democratic values and […]
Hannah Mather was 13 years old when she helped her uncle, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson, escape from the sacking of his mansion during the Stamp Act riots, and 22 when she smuggled letters to Patriot leaders during the Siege of Boston. Hear from Hannah herself (portrayed by Mehitabel Glenhaber) about her experiences coming of age […]
Designed to bring our oldest historic house to life by offering opportunities to engage with reproduction objects in each room and to consider 17th and 18th century life from a kids-eye-view, the approximately 30-minute tour is aimed at families. Tours at 10:30, 11:30, & 2:30 are included in the price of admission.
Hannah Mather was 13 years old when she helped her uncle, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson, escape from the sacking of his mansion during the Stamp Act riots, and 22 when she smuggled letters to Patriot leaders during the Siege of Boston. Hear from Hannah herself (portrayed by Mehitabel Glenhaber) about her experiences coming of age […]
Before Lexington and Concord, there was “Leslie’s Retreat” – a confrontation between Salem residents and British soldiers in February 1775. Essex Heritage and its partners are inviting the public and media members to learn about this historic event, which is part of ongoing efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. On February […]
History Alive, Inc is pleased to present their second installation of a fashion show of ideas from history, "Fashioning for Freedom, Layers of Liberty." This special performance, in partnership with the Salem Human Rights Commission and the North Shore Juneteenth Association, presents a celebratory runway of Black creativity and activism from New England's past three […]
Join us at 9:30am at St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church on Saturday February 22. 2025 to learn the history behind Leslie’s Retreat, and to hear from current elected officials. On February 26, 1775, Salem witnessed what could have been the first battle of the American Revolution. This event marked Salem’s first armed resistance to British […]
Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of “Leslie’s Retreat,” a pivotal moment that marked Salem’s first stand against British authority and helped spark the American Revolution. On February 26, 1775, just weeks before the shots at Lexington and Concord, Salem witnessed what could have been the first battle of the American Revolution. When […]
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Hingham during the American Revolution? Take on the roles of real people Hinghamites and explore the Old Ordinary House Museum through their eyes to experience daily life for families on the wartime homefront. This fun and family-oriented experience is perfect for family members of […]
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) invites you to step back in time with Fashion in the Season of Revolution, a dynamic exploration of the intersection between style, society, and conflict in the Revolutionary era. This engaging program, presented in cooperation with Leslie’s Retreat 250, offers a unique blend of scholarship, storytelling, and immersive experience, combining […]
Celebrate History with us! The Revolution Ball is a colonial dress/black tie evening of live music, dancing, food, and drinks. The event celebrates the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Leslie's Retreat from the Salem gunpowder raid of 1775. In February of 1775, Colonel Alexander Leslie and his British regulars were sent to raid the […]
Held in Salem’s Historic Old Town Hall, step back into Salem on the eve of the American Revolution for the anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat and Revolution 250! Its autumn of 1774, Salem is the seat of the newly appointed Royal Governor, General Gage- welcomed by some, resented by others. With their local government severely constrained […]
It’s Autumn, 1774. Massachusetts is confined, punished & neglected by the Royal Government. Tyranny sparks hopes of Revolution! When Patriots meet secretly in Salem, enslaved Africans want to take the talk of Liberty at face value. Can they? Join the forbidden assembly! Attending “In Open Rebellion” is your chance to imagine yourself amidst Salem’s Patriots, […]
Paul Revere’s legacy has been both elevated and obscured by his now famous ride, 250 years ago on April 18, 1775. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s dramatic poem replaced what actually happened with a much beloved romantic version. Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and Robert Martello, Professor of the History of Science and […]
The Acton 250 Committee presents Acton’s celebrated historians Anne Forbes, Bill Klauer and Bob Pion who will discuss recent learnings of Acton’s Black residents in honor African American History Month. Black citizens were among the residents here when Acton first became a Town in 1735, and several fought in the Revolution at the Concord Bridge […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
The American Revolution began in New England. 250 years ago, the people who settled in what is now Massachusetts resisted attempts to deny them their rights as British citizens. What happened as a result of this struggle changed the world. As part of Marlborough Revolution 250, come learn about the events that led to the […]
This program is presented by the National Park Service and Boston Harbor Now as a part of our three-part Revolutionary Harbor lecture series. This lecture is the first of the series. In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill’s strategic location along on a small peninsula of land at the convergence […]
Historian J.L. Bell will tell the thrilling story of Leslie's Retreat, the first armed resistance to the British crown, and its connections to Marblehead. On Sunday, February 26, 1775, about 250 British soldiers marched through Marblehead, sent by the royal governor to search for weapons. When that column of redcoats stalled at a drawbridge in […]
Step back in time and converse with two of the Revolution’s most influential writers: John Adams and Mercy Otis Warren! Through a combination of first-person narratives and actual primary source documents, Mercy and John will share how their friendship developed, grew, fractured, and ultimately healed through their correspondence. In 1805, Warren published the first history […]
For MA250 The Umbrella has programmed two events – a stage company production and an exhibit – to celebrate and amplify voices that have not historically been a part of the revolution story…which is in line with the celebration goals of the 250 plans. An indigenous theatre-maker journeys across geographic borders, personal history, and Cultural […]
“Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness” features photographic work by Scott Strong Hawk Foster that celebrates the rich, diverse, and resilient cultures of the Native Peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America. FEBRUARY 28- MARCH 23 Foster is a Native American photographer and an enrolled member of Hassanamisco Nipmuc […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
Join us for a ceremonial lighting of the Concord250 Lantern, a 10-foot-tall commemorative lantern inspired by the historic signal light of April 19, 1775 housed today in the Concord Museum. The community lighting will take place on the grounds of the Museum where together we will light the way toward liberty and justice for all. […]
Concord-Carlisle High School & Lexington High School Bands present 250th Celebration Concert; working title: Sound Revolutions Including world premieres of new works commissioned to commemorate this historic occasion CCHS Auditorium, March 4th, 7pm Details coming soon
The Inn at Hastings Park, Boston area's only Relais & Châteaux property located in historic Lexington, MA is in the revolutionary spirit! To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, this special dinner delves into the storied past of distilled spirits and the intersection of Boston’s history, craftsmanship and celebration! […]
The Inn at Hastings Park, Boston area's only Relais & Chateaux property located in historic Lexington, MA is in the revolutionary spirit! To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, this special dinner delves into the storied past of distilled spirits and the intersection of Boston’s history, craftsmanship and celebration! […]
Nationally renowned sculptor Meredith Bergmann, an Acton resident, has created inspiring monuments to great Americans: FDR, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, and many more. Her artistic process includes learning about each figure as she creates each bronze statue. Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784), whose bronze statue appears in the Boston […]
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, Essex County entered a wartime phase that included creating minute-man companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join […]
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
Concord Chamber Music Society Presents: Wendy Putnam, violin & Vytas Baksys, piano March 9, 2025, 3pm, at Lexington’s Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Tickets available to purchase beginning August 5, 2024: concordchambermusic.org/putnam-baksys Description: An intriguing program of works by American composers that includes a tribute to the American Revolution with Vieuxtemps’ Souvenir d’Amerique – […]
In January 1773, Massachusetts slaves submitted the first of four petitions that decade to the legislature of the colony requesting their release from bondage. Around the same time writers such as Phillis Wheatley and Caesar Sarter began to attack both slavery and the slave trade in print. Many scholars have discussed these individual writers and […]
Have you tried the Acton 250 Committee’s Isaac Davis Brown Ale? If not, or if you have and just want more, join us March 13 at Dirigible Brewing Company as they reintroduce our commemorative ale in time for the 250th celebration of the American Revolution. This ale is representative of one beer style available to […]
Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. Without the ability to vote or to own property, Deborah […]
The producers of From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and The Story of America the Beautiful are pleased to announce a Premiere screening of the film on March 13, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Falmouth Public Library. Writer and Director, John de Graaf, Bates’s biographer Melinda Ponder, and local author Leonard Miele will […]
The Carlisle Colonial Faire will be held at the First Religious Society's Union Hall (27 School Street) on March 15th. The event will feature a minutemen muster re-enactment on the town common, as well as colonial themed demonstrations and handmade colonial style crafts by local artisans. The Historical Society will also be displaying several unique […]
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds Historic Newton celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Join us in exploring what life was like in 18th-century New England. Reenactors will scatter the museum exhibits and grounds to create an immersive experience of revolutionary life. Guests can participate in hands-on period-specific activities and listen to reenactors debate politics, […]
Title: Wood Type Use, History, and Identification lecture and workshop, 1 pm Event leader: James Grieshaber Cost: Free with Museum admission Date: Saturday March 15 Start time: 1 pm This lecture will cover aspects of wood type history, as seen through the lens of the historic Wood Type Pattern Library of Virgin Wood Type. James […]
“A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color” is a two-hour live event dedicated to uncovering and honoring the often-overlooked contributions of Black and Indigenous patriots both during the American Revolution and the long struggle for continued expansion of freedom and liberty over the past 250 years. This event will take place at the Umbrella […]
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds Attend the historic cocktail party of the year! Enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, take guided tours of the exhibits, and listen to museum educators and reenactors discussing more intriguing topics of the 18th-century. Alcohol production and consumption, card games and gambling, and historical undergarments galore! Learn 18th-century tavern games and enter […]
Wayland and Sudbury and the Dawn of the American Revolution Presentation by Jane Sciacca On April 19, 1775, more than 300 men from Sudbury (modern Wayland and Sudbury) marched off to Concord to confront British troops on the first day of the American Revolution. What led to their brave deeds that day? What manner of […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
Set in the late 18th century, this forum presents a fictional dialogue featuring Martha Washington (portrayed by Sandy Spector), the First Lady, and Mercy Otis Warren (portrayed by Michele Gabrielson), a prominent playwright and activist. In a cozy parlor setting, they discuss their friendship, their respective roles during the revolutionary era, and the challenges they […]
The Inn at Hastings Park, Boston area's only Relais & Châteaux property located in historic Lexington, MA is in the revolutionary spirit! To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, rum will be the focus of this craft cocktail class. During the colonial era, Boston was in the business of […]
Join Paul Revere (as portrayed by Michael Lepage) by fireside at the Wayside Inn for a spirited review of the notoriously inaccurate Longfellow poem that immortalized his Midnight Ride. Heavy hors d’oeuvres included with the price of a ticket. Drinks available for purchase at the bar. Tickets $25.00 via Resi: https://resy.com/cities/sudbury-ma/venues/longfellows-wayside-inn/events/paul-revere-fireside-chat-2025-03-20?seats=2&date=2025-03-07 Members of The Wayside […]
Boston is occupied, Portsmouth blockaded. A wild rumor flies that Ipswich has been attacked by sea and her inhabitants killed. A British scouting party sneaks into Newburyport Harbor under the cover of night. In the face of constant threat, Newburyport’s harbor became a safe haven for vessels of all kinds on the eve of Revolution, […]
Showcasing the creative energy of quilters near and far, Quilts 250 will display as many as 250 quilts that visually express through fabric and thread themes related to our country’s founding and evolution and the dynamic range of quilting arts in the last 250 years. The show is sponsored by the Concord 250 Celebrations Committee […]
Throughout February and March of 1775, the people of Massachusetts were preparing for war. The Provincial Congress organized a network of intelligence to monitor the British Army and the military supplies throughout the province. Aware of the rebel operations, the British Army conducted military intelligence missions into the Massachusetts countryside. These efforts would see moments […]
The American Battlefield Trust and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution present this interesting and interactive exhibition that highlights the people and places that helped to form a new nation. This free event is being shown at "The Oaks" 140 Lincoln Street in Worcester MA, the home of the Colonel Timothy […]
The Evacuation Day Cruise is a two-hour excursion through the Boston Harbor that tells the story of the Siege of Boston (June 1775 to March 1776). Park rangers will provide historical narration of events as we pass key landmarks, all while navigating the waters the British used to evacuate town. The trip will begin at […]
Parish Hall, First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord To mark 250 years since the start of the American Revolution, CWC member Diane Taraz traces the road to rebellion with songs enjoyed by ordinary people, especially those often overlooked, such as women and people of color. She presents lively ballads, serene hymns, bold marches, […]
Join us for a ceremonial lighting of the Concord250 Lantern, a 10-foot-tall commemorative lantern inspired by the historic signal light of April 19, 1775 housed today in the Concord Museum. The community lighting will take place on the grounds of the Museum where together we will light the way toward liberty and justice for all. […]
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's legendary midnight ride! Join us at The COOP for a special evening with Kostya Kennedy, author of The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America. Book signing to follow! RSVP link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ride-kostya-kennedy-at-the-coop-tickets-1280779167969?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Join historian Patrick Browne as he explores the tension and resistance to British rule in Duxbury and on the South Shore of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period. This talk will be held in person and broadcast online. Dr Browne will highlight the unique loyalty of Duxbury's neighbor Marshfield to the Crown, including its request for […]
The Milldames of Concord are pleased to invite you to an enlightening lecture by the renowned Concord historian Dr. Robert A. Gross. This event promises to be an exceptional opportunity to delve into the rich history of Concord with one of its most distinguished scholars. Event Details Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Time: 4:00 pm […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
Be among the first to explore this exhibition, which charts major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution. The stories behind Paul Revere’s ride, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and more are illustrated through rare letters, diary accounts, and artifacts from the MHS collection. Plus, enjoy […]
Located within the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine, Boston Harbor hosts a rich diversity of seaweeds, including dense kelp forests and fields of calcified red algae. These seaweeds are an important component of local marine ecosystems, but what exactly are these slimy marine organisms and how important are they to the environment in […]
The best-selling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters reclaims the daring freelance sailors who proved essential to the winning of the Revolutionary War. The heroic story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the Revolution has been told before, yet missing from most maritime histories of America’s first war is the ragtag fleet of […]
Whose Revolution: Special Exhibition Opening Day March 28, 2025 The first of three 250th special exhibitions at the Concord Museum, Whose Revolution will highlight the competing and contradictory meanings of revolution during the period leading up to the war. Through maps, documents, furniture, and other objects, this exhibition will explore the gradual shifts that led […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
High school students from across the Commonwealth are creating artwork inspired by the “one if by land, two if by sea” lantern at the Concord Museum as a symbol of the American Revolution and our nation’s continuing aspiration towards liberty and justice for all. All are welcome to a community open house to see the […]
The first of three 250th special exhibitions at the Concord Museum, Whose Revolution will highlight the competing and contradictory meanings of revolution during the period leading up to the war. Through maps, documents, furniture, and other objects, this exhibition will explore the gradual shifts that led to broader support for independence. It will examine the […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 AM - 7 PM January 31, 2025: 10 AM - 4 PM […]
The Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is hosting a three-part exhibit showcasing our nation's beginnings through the display of rare artifacts from private collections. Exhibit 1: Religion & Culture (1624 - 1651) & Early Seeds of Discontent (1651 - 1750) January 30, 2025: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. January 31, 2025: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. […]
Meet at the Concord Town House to celebrate an auspicious moment in our history: March 29th marks 145 years to the day that Louisa May Alcott, famed authoress of Little Women and hundreds of other literary works, became the first woman of Concord to cast a vote in a Town election! Join in the excitement […]
The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration. Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff […]
March 29 - March 30 (All Day Event) Saturday March 29, 2025 8 PM (7:15 PM pre-concert conductor talk) Sunday March 30, 2025, 2:30 PM Past, Present, Encore! We are delighted to embark on our second season with Music Director Zeke Fetrow and invite you to join us for a fascinating 2024-2025 season showcasing beloved […]
The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration. Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff […]
Join us for a special Sunday afternoon tea party at the Museum of Old Newbury to explore a tea mystery. For generations, Newburyporters claimed to have been the first to protest onerous British tariffs by destroying tea imported from British India. Before Sam Adams's band dunked that tea in Boston harbor, as the Clipper City's […]
In observance of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, Norumbega Harmony, a vocal group specializing in early American shape-note music since 1976, will present a concert of the era’s patriotic and religious tunes. Songs by William Billings of Boston, along with his associates Oliver Holden of Charlestown, Daniel Read of Connecticut, […]
Join us for the book launch of the Concord Museum’s publication Eyewitness to Revolution: The American Revolution Collection at the Concord Museum. Written by David Wood, the book tells the story of the Revolution through the Museum’s unparalleled collection of objects related to the early days of the American Revolution. David will be joined in […]
Doors open at 6:00/Presentation Begins at 6:30 In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress instructed towns throughout the colony to prepare for imminent conflict with England. In response, the Merrimack Valley, in particular, shifted into a wartime stance, forming minute companies, stockpiling weapons, ammunition, and supplies, and setting up a defense network ready to mobilize […]
Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution. On the morning of April 19, 1775, colonial militia and British Regulars exchanged the “shot heard ’round the world” on Lexington Green, marking the very beginning of America’s fight for […]
Two hundred years ago, on 19 April 1775, American history changed. Colonial forces faced the British army at Lexington & Concord … and won. Word spread rapidly, and two regiments of Plymouth “Minute Men,” led by Colonel Theophilus Cotton, rallied to the Patriot cause. For the next six years, Plymoutheans participated in America’s battle for […]
All are invited to the Battle Green on Friday evening, April 18th to honor those who perished in the Battle of Lexington 250 years ago. This brief commemoration will be part of the annual Good Friday Procession which will commence from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam Street at approximately 8:15 p.m. The eight […]
Join the Acton 250 Committee and the Acton Memorial Library for this 21+ after hours library event featuring the Acton 250's Isaac Davis Brown Ale from Dirigible Brewing, the Acton Minutemen, colonial music, the unveiling of the new Isaac Davis Plow mural, food and more! Free entry. Merch available for purchase. A portion of ale […]
Exhibition: Liberation Textiles: Our Social Fabric, April 3 - May 11 in the Main Gallery, curated by Elizabeth Thach and Camilø Álvårez Curators Tour Thursday April 3 at 5 PM (opening reception starts at 5:30 PM that evening) Artist Demo: A Sense of Touch – Tapestry Weaving with Sam Fields Wednesday, April 16th, 10:30 AM […]
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, the colony entered a wartime phase that included creating minute companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join […]
Make plans to join us at 14 Beacon to celebrate the opening of our new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The evening will feature an opportunity to visit the exhibition and curator’s comments from New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and "Sacred Rebellion" curator, Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American […]
Join Hub Town Tours for a special celebration of Abigail Adams's 1776 letter to John Adams, imploring the Continental Congress to include protections for women's rights as they created a new nation. We will explore the captivating stories of Bostonians that followed in the footsteps of Revolutionary women like Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley, and […]
Tidy the Town for the 250th Join the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee and the community as we prepare the Town for the Semiquincentennial. This moving battle down current day Massachusetts Avenue will commemorate the beginning of America’s fight for Independence. Join the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee to help clean up the […]
Huzzah! Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" with a revolutionary tour. In this 55-minute guided walk, you'll see surviving homes from the 1700s and discover how ordinary Hinghamites survived the tumultuous years before, during, and after the American Revolution. This tour is perfect for history lovers of all ages!
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
Huzzah! Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" with a revolutionary tour. In this 55-minute guided walk, you'll see surviving homes from the 1700s and discover how ordinary Hinghamites survived the tumultuous years before, during, and after the American Revolution. This tour is perfect for history lovers of all ages!
Huzzah! Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" with a revolutionary tour. In this 55-minute guided walk, you'll see surviving homes from the 1700s and discover how ordinary Hinghamites survived the tumultuous years before, during, and after the American Revolution. This tour is perfect for history lovers of all ages!
Michael D. Hattem, Historian of the American Revolution and Historical Memory, will speak about the importance of the memory of the Revolution, specifically on how events in Concord have been perceived nationally. Bio: Michael D. Hattem is a historian of the American Revolution and popular memory. He is the author of The Memory of ’76: […]
Arlington 250 Kickoff Party at the Capitol A day of family fun, history, and entertainment in celebration of the American Revolution In honor of Arlington's rich historical significance and its pivotal role in the American Revolution, join us for a day filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment. This festive and free event will take place […]
Groton Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary! Take a walk back in time and discover Groton’s contributions to America’s independence, the battles in Concord, MA, and Boston’s Bunker Hill. Program Schedule 1 p.m. Minutemen with Fife & Drum Gather on the Minuteman Common, Groton Center 2 p.m. Joshua Vollmar Lecture at Lawrence Academy (Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center) […]
Rev250 Lecture: Dr. Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor, Harvard University presents "The Declaration of Independence: A Guide for our Times" as part of the Hingham Historical Society 2024-2025 lecture series: Revisiting the American Revolution. The series is an in-depth and expanded look at our Nation's founding drama; the series features renowned historians and […]
Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and Director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. She is a professor of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy. She is also a seasoned nonprofit leader, democracy advocate, tech ethicist, distinguished author, […]
Doors at 6 p.m./Presentation at 6:30 p.m. Join us as we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution by learning about our local revolutionary heroes buried in North Andover's First and Second Burial Ground. Who were they? What was their previous fighting experience? What drove them to war? David Blauvelt is the Coordinator of […]
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