MA250

Plymouth in the Revolution Lecture Series 2025
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-30 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Plymouth Public Library, South Street 132, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
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 independence.
Although not the site of any great battles, nor the home of any triumphant generals, Plymouth is filled with the stories of the lawmakers and lawyers whose rhetoric inspired the Patriot cause, of the men who risked their lives and livelihood in military service, and of the civilians who kept the home fires burning, as well as of the Americans who, valuing loyalty above all, continued to support the King. They illuminate the complex and fascinating history of Massachusetts’ earliest town, as it embraced the movement for American independence, and the lasting impact it made on the Town’s historical landscape.
April 2: Stephen O’Neill – Plymouth’s 1749 Courthouse: Revolution in the Courts
April 9: Peggy Baker – Benjamin Warren’s War: A Plymouthean in the Continental Army
April 30: Patrick Browne – “Patriotism in a High Degree Zealous”: Ephraim Spooner & the Home Front
May 7: Mark Schmidt – Choosing Sides: Loyalists in the American Revolution
May 14: Donna Curtin – Dr. James Thacher & Plymouth’s Revolutionary Generation

Reading Frederick Douglass Together at the Norton Public Library
2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Norton Public Library, East Main Street 68, Norton, Massachusetts, 02766, United States
Frederick Douglass – who was born into slavery in Maryland’s tobacco fields and liberated himself at the age of 20 – was a legendary Massachusetts resident. We’re celebrating the famous abolitionist and stirring orator who drew crowds of thousands of listeners worldwide. JOIN US as we take turns reading aloud his blistering 1852 speech to the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July.”
Still bearing the physical scars of bondage – Douglass’s existence and his first-person account of the daily cruelty and violence perpetrated by enslavers who were also Christian men and upstanding citizens made it impossible for many to continue to turn a blind eye to slavery’s horrors.
The Anti-Slavery Society at the Corinthian Hall invited him to give a feel-good speech about progress and Douglass instead delivered a uniquely American call to justice, entrusting them with the unsparing truth he spent his lifetime overcoming and studying slavery was an abomination and all people had a moral call to join in ending it.
Douglass’s clarity and bravery ring through the years, echoing in this speech, that begins with admitting he was never so nervous to give a speech as he was on that day – which is surprising as Douglass had already both named the plantation he was enslaved on and the man who enslaved him, even though these admissions further endangered his physical safety and hard-won freedom.
The life and works of Frederick Douglass continues to shape our understanding of America. Douglass forces us to reckon with the legacy of slavery and the promises of democracy. To quote Douglass: “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the future.”
Presented by the Norton Cultural Council and Mass Humanities, join us at the Norton Public Library Thursday, April 17th at 5:30 PM to raise our voices and read this amazing piece of history. Questions, email nortonmacc@gmail.com or sign up to be a reader.

Bus to the Battle: Concord and Lexington
2025-04-19 04:00 - 10:00 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Join fellow history lovers for a pre-dawn journey to the 250th-anniversary reenactment of the “shot heard `round the world” – the battles of Concord & Lexington! Following the 6 a.m. reenactment (the actual time these events occurred in 1775), enjoy a hearty breakfast on historic Lexington Green. Options include a plated breakfast at the iconic Inn at Hastings or a classic pancake breakfast hosted by Troop 160. Reservations are required.

South Shore History Symposium 2025: Revolutionary Connections: The South Shore and the War for Independence
2025-04-26 09:00 - 14:00 | The Spire Center for the Performing Arts, Court Street 25 1/2, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
Revolutionary Connections: The South Shore and the War for Independence
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Presentations: 9:20 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The Spire Center for the Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth
Schedule:
8:30 a.m. Registration & Refreshments
9:15 a.m. Welcoming Remarks, Donna Curtin, Back Roads of the South Shore Chair and Executive Director of Pilgrim Hall Museum
9:20 a.m. Tea, Tories, and the Almost-Battle of Marshfield, Patrick Browne, Executive Director of Plymouth Antiquarian Society
10:00 a.m. The Revolutionary Life of Mary Cushing Lincoln, Michelle Coughlin, Author and Historian
10:40 a.m. A Comedy of Errors: Plymouth County Militia and the American Campaigns in Rhode Island, James Glinski, Author and Historian
11:20 a.m. Coffee Break
11:30 a.m. Mercy Otis Warren, the First Female Historian of the American Revolution, Nancy Rubin Stuart, President of the Mercy Otis Warren Society and Executive Director of the Cape Cod Writers Center.
12:10 p.m. South Shore Stories of Bailey’s 2nd Mass Regiment, Stephen O’Neill, Executive Director, Hanover Historical Society & Director, Dyer Memorial Library

Revolutionary Plymouth 250: “Liberty and Tea at the Spooner House”
2025-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Spooner House Museum, North Street 27, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
Step back in time to sample the same varieties of imported teas that the Sons of Liberty defiantly tossed into Boston Harbor, alongside an herbal “Liberty tea” favored by Patriots in protest. Explore a special exhibition featuring rarely displayed Revolutionary-era artifacts, and speak to costumed interpreters about the debates that divided Plymouth as residents grappled with the American boycott of British goods.

Abigail Adams Birthplace Open Hours
2025-04-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Abigail Adams Birthplace, Norton Street 180, Weymouth, Massachusetts, 02191, United States
Open hours at the Abigail Adams Birthplace begin for the season on Sunday, April and from 1 – 3 p.m.
Built in 1685, the Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) Birthplace was home to this exceptional woman for the first twenty years of her life. It has survived two relocations and now stands as a monument to her extraordinary life.
Please note: Visits are by guided tour only. Tours begin on the half hour, with the last tour starting at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults/$5 children and members are free!

Liberty Pole Day in Duxbury
2025-05-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Alden House Historic Site, Alden Street 105, Duxbury, MA, 02332, United States
Step back in time to experience the life of a soldier in the American Revolution at a military encampment and living history day on Saturday, May 3 between noon and 4 p.m. at the Alden House Historic Site. The reenactment is part of Out to See Duxbury, a community-wide celebration of Duxbury’s rich cultural and educational heritage.
Join reenactors from Colonel Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment for military drills, music, and living history demonstrations. Explore blacksmithing, colonial foodways, linen and wool spinning demonstrations, activities for kids, tours of Alden House and much more.
There will also be a re-enactment of Duxbury’s 1775 “Council of War,” showcasing three tumultuous days in April of 1775, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord 250 years ago, as Duxbury leaders determined their military response to the opening days of the war.
Admission is free; it is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. Out to See Duxbury is sponsored by the Duxbury Community Collaborative.

The First Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War – 250th Anniversary
2025-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, Fort Street 3, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 02719, United States
Join us at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the First Naval Battle of the American Revolution, fought just off our shores in 1775. This pivotal moment in history saw local patriots defending their waters against the British, marking the beginning of America’s fight for independence at sea.
Hosted by the Fairhaven Village Militia, this special ceremony will honor the bravery of those who stood against tyranny. Experience a piece of living history at the very site where these early revolutionaries took their stand!

Historic Clothing Parlor Talk: “Clothing of the Revolutionary Era”
2025-05-13 14:00 - 15:00 | Hedge House Museum, 126 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360
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.

Hingham's Revolutionary Weekend
2025-05-17 - 2025-05-18 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Keep the revolutionary spirit alive with the Hingham Historical Society! Join us for Hingham’s Revolutionary Weekend May 17-18, 2025, celebrating ordinary people who did extraordinary things and unwittingly became authors of American History. To commemorate this incredible milestone, the Hingham Historical Society, Discover Hingham, the Town of Hingham, and the Hingham Militia have partnered to launch the inaugural Hingham Revolutionary Weekend! This family-friendly event, with a special MBTA ferry service from Boston to Hingham, will feature guided tours, fife and drum performances, bell ringing, Springham!, a Taste of Americana pop up, kite flying, and more games and activities for revolutionaries of all ages. The weekend culminates in the 250th commemorative reenactment of the Battle of Grape Island, the oft overlooked “second” battle of the American Revolution.

Springham
2025-05-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Live Music, family activities, drinks from Vitamin Sea Brewing, and the opportunity to explore our Visitor Center and Museum Shop. Join us as we celebrate SPRINGHAM 2025!
Join popular local performers Tequila Tim and Thirsty Boots for an afternoon of music and community. FREE. Fun for all ages. In partnership with the Hingham Downtown Association and Hingham Anchor.

Revolutionary Plymouth 250: “Revolutionary Voices: Plymouth Debates Liberty and Loyalty”
2025-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | 1749 Court House Museum, Town Square 4, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
Co-produced by Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Mercy Otis Warren Society, this powerful short play brings to life the fierce debates of Plymouth’s Committee of Correspondence as they grappled with how to respond to the escalating tensions leading to the American Revolution. Performed in the very space where these deliberations once unfolded, the play draws from authentic resolutions, letters, and documents of the era. Adding depth and perspective, the play also features commentary from Mercy Otis Warren—Plymouth’s own trailblazing political thinker and one of the most influential women of the Revolutionary era. The performance will be followed by a discussion with the cast and Nancy Rubin Stuart, President of the Mercy Otis Warren Society and author of The Muse of the Revolution: The Secret Pen of Mercy Otis Warren and the Founding of a Nation.

Hingham250 - Battle of Grape Island 250th Anniversary Reenactment
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Hingham Bathing Beach, Otis Street 95, Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043, United States
The Battle of Grape Island or the Grape Island Alarm commemorates the May 21, 1775 provisions skirmish between militia from the South Shore of Boston – namely Hingham, Hull, Weymouth, Braintree, Scituate, and Abington – and the British who were occupying Boston Harbor and attempted to resupply on Grape Island at the invitation of Hingham Loyalist Elijah Leavitt. Militia chased the British off of Grape Island and then marched as an angry mob to Leavitt’s Hingham home. Leavitt and his wife, Ruth appeased the mob with rum and cake. On commemoration day, we honor this history with ceremony, a reenactment between the Hingham Militia Company and His Majesty’s 64th Regiment of Foot. Remarks, and refreshments for all. Free and open to the public.

Abigail Adams Birthplace Open Hours
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Abigail Adams Birthplace, Norton Street 180, Weymouth, Massachusetts, 02191, United States
Enjoy a guided tour during open hours at the Abigail Adams Birthplace on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Built in 1685, the Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) Birthplace was home to this exceptional woman for the first twenty years of her life. It has survived two relocations and now stands as a monument to her extraordinary life.
Please note: Visits are by guided tour only. Tours begin on the half hour, with the last tour starting at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults/$5 children and members are free!
For more information, please visit our website: https://abigailadamsbirthplace.org/

Battle of Grape Island
2025-05-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Hingham Bathing Beach, Otis Street 95, Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043, United States
Witness the only local battle of the American Revolution! On May 21, 1775, a skirmish broke out on Grape Island, then owned by Hingham loyalist Elijah Leavitt. To commemorate the 250th anniversary, the Hingham Militia, Wareham Militia, and the 64th Light Infantry will reenact this pivotal moment. Ceremonial remarks, historic narrative, music, and refreshments will be provided. Free.

The Plight of Loyalists in Massachusetts
2025-06-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-10 10:30 - 12:00 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
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 of whether or not to flee their towns and homes.
Various historians have estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 people fled the colonies by the time “America’s first civil war” ended.
Dr. Kerpelman will present a picture of how ordinary Massachusetts Loyalists and their Patriot neighbors interacted with one another during that fraught time between the 1750’s and the 1790’s.
A brief tour of the 1699 Isaac Winslow House is included.

“A STATE OF REBELLION” PART II: HONORING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL
2025-06-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Quincy Historical Society and Museum, Adams Street 8, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, United States
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 Emeritus Ed Fitzgerald, will be joined by New England Slavery Historian Kerima M. Lewis Ph.D to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Drawing from newly compiled archival records, this program will follow local commanders like Captains Elihu Adams, Silas Wild, and Seth Turner and their men from the April 19th alarm to their deployments as Braintree’s “eight-months” companies at Prospect Hill and Fort No. 2 and their part in the preparations for the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The presentation will also uncover lesser-known events like the Grape Island skirmish and examine the deep tensions within the town—including documented loyalist families who stood on the other side of the conflict. With vivid eyewitness accounts, such as Abigail Adams’s letters from the Braintree home front, and detailed muster records from the Massachusetts Archives, this program offers a richly detailed portrait of a Massachusetts coastal community at war.
This event, part of the Historical Society’s ongoing celebrations of Quincy400, is open to all and free to attend.

Revolutionary Plymouth 250: A Walking Tour of Revolutionary Plymouth
2025-07-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Spooner House Musuem, North Street 27, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02360, United States
Join local historian Joyce Poremski of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society for a guided walk through downtown Plymouth, exploring the town’s Revolutionary War history, key sites, and the impact of the war on its citizens.

Burial Hill Tour Series – Revolutionary Connections
2025-07-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-02 13:00 - 14:00 | 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

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.

Open Hours at the Abigail Adams Birthplace
2025-07-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Abigail Adams Birthplace, Norton Street 180, Weymouth, Massachusetts, 02191, United States
Open Hours at the Abigail Adams Birthplace are back! Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children and members are free! Please note: Visits are by guided tour only. Tours begin on the half hour, with the last tour starting at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, please see our website: https://abigailadamsbirthplace.org/
180 Norton St., North Weymouth, Massachusetts, United States

Women of '76
2025-08-03 13:30 - 14:30 | 1699 Isaac Winslow House, 634 Careswell St, Marshfield, 02050, United States
Discover some of the women of 1776 including Baroness von Riedesel, the wife of a Hessian General and a chronicler of life in military camps; Prudence Wright, a minute woman and spy catcher; Nancy Hart, a southern frontierswoman who confronted the enemy and emerged victorious. Explore the stories of these women and others, both patriot and loyalist, American and foreign, who experienced the American Revolution firsthand and, in some cases, influenced its course.
Members $5/Non Members $10 Children free
Rita Parisi has been captivating audiences for 30 years in the New England area. In 2005, she established Waterfall Productions to create shows that reflect her love for theatre, literature, history, and costuming. She has had the opportunity to perform these shows throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, and Florida. Rita Parisi is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA, the largest acting union in the country, and some of her films have premiered at the Boston
