MA250

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy
2026-06-18, 2026-06-17, 2026-06-16, 2026-06-15 | How Do You See the World? experience, Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy.
This free exhibit is part of the interactive How Do You See the World?® experience, exploring the world through a lens of hope, progress, and generosity. Walk through the three-story, stained glass Mapparium® globe (ticketed) that shows the world as it was in 1935 — from the inside of the world, looking out. You can then explore “Our World: Mapping Progress,” an exhibit featuring stories from The Christian Science Monitor, the Pulitzer Prize-winning international news source headquartered in the building. Learn more about Eddy’s remarkable life and the global church she founded in “Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy.”
This special exhibit will be open through spring and summer 2026 as part of the statewide MA250 celebrations. Tickets for the Mapparium® globe are free for youth under 18, $6 for adults. All other exhibits, including this special exhibit, are free.
Hours of operation:
Monday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The How Do You See the World?® experience is located at 210 Massachusetts Ave. in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
For additional information and to buy tickets to the Mapparium® globe, please visit christianscience.com/howdoyouseetheworld

The Dramatic Story of an Artillery Commander at Bunker Hill 1776
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-17 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945, Pleasant Street 235, Marblehead, Massachusetts, 01945, United States
Illustrated talk about how an artillery commander from Marblehead defied his superior officers at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, by leading his cannon company into the thick of the fray, rather than retreating, and dragging the only American field-piece down off the hill as the American forces retreated. That would prove to be the only American cannon in that battle that was not captured by the enemy. Afterward, however, the Marbleheader, Captain Samuel Russel Trevett, was falsely accused of his superior officer’s failures. Though he was exonerated soon after, he would instead join his many townsmen as a Captain of privateer vessels through the war’s end in 1782.

Battle of Bunker Hill Special Anniversary Tour
2026-06-17 13:30 - 16:00 | Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Join Hub Town Tours as we commemorate the 251st anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill! Your historian guide will explain the military conflict between Provincial forces and the British troops under siege in Boston in 1775, placing the battle in the broader context of the beginning of the American Revolution. This 2.5-hour walking tour travels the Freedom Trail in Downtown Boston and the North End, following in the footsteps of Colonial Bostonians, all of whom grappled with the difficult—yet essential—question of loyalty or rebellion to crown and country. As we travel past historic landmarks from Revolutionary Boston and Charlestown, learn the gripping story of a small colonial town careening toward war with the British empire.

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage
2026-06-17 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-16 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-15 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-14 12:00 - 14:00 | Nobility Hill Historic District, Stoneham, Massachusetts, 02180, United States
In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades.
This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary.
Why did a quiet night at the Bernard Cogan House erupt into controversy that changed a neighborhood? Who vanished beneath the glowing beacon of Stoneham’s eerily beautiful gas station? What explains the perfectly preserved pencil marks under the Warren Sweetser House staircase?
Move between centuries as you cross storied main streets and hidden lanes. Each step peels back another layer of rebellion, ambition, and intrigue, letting Stoneham rise up around you as never before.
Tap play and see how deep Stoneham’s shadows can stretch. The secrets are waiting.

Patriots of Color Exhibition
2026-06-17 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-06-16 10:00 - 18:00 | Family Heritage Experience, Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage and resilience of those whose contributions helped shape a new nation, even as they continued to confront inequality and enslavement.
Bridging past and present, Patriots of Color highlights the voices of descendants who are reclaiming these stories today—connecting revolutionary ideals of freedom and justice to the ongoing pursuit of equality in America.
Entrance to the exhibit is included in admission to the Family Heritage Experience and can be purchased either in person or online.

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement
2026-06-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Old State House, 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 and 1776—a moment defined by uncertainty, debate, and decisions that would reshape the world.

1776: Declaring Independence
2026-06-17 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-06-16 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-06-15 09:30 - 16:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history.
In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten copies of the Declaration by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as well as multiple early printings, including a rare Dunlap broadside. On and off the page, we explore how it echoed across the commonwealth and around the world, reshaping the colonists’ chances of launching a new nation. How did the Declaration change Americans’ quest for liberty, then and now? We invite visitors to trace the Declaration’s complex legacy as a national beacon for celebration and protest.
Check here for closures and more admission information: https://www.masshist.org/visit/hours-and-admission

Brewing the Revolution: Bay State Scavenger Hunt
2026-06-17 - 2026-07-21, 2026-06-16 - 2026-07-20, 2026-06-15 - 2026-07-19, 2026-06-14 - 2026-07-18 | Memorial Hall Museum, Memorial Street 8, Deerfield, MA, 01342, United States
To honor this revolutionary history, we are crafting a free historic statewide event, titled “Brewing the Revolution.” This scavenger hunt will bring participants to historic Revolutionary taverns and brewing sites across the state. The Scavenger hunt will take place from May 24th-June 27th, 2026 and is open to everyone ages 13 and up, free to play, and participants can win a variety of prizes.

Zine Making: What Does the Declaration Mean 250 Years Later?
2026-06-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Boston Public Library: Copley Square Branch, Boylston Street 700, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Through an art-making opportunity, reflect on what the document means 250 years later and how the American Revolution relates to other protest movements and revolutions that have occurred in the United States. We will have supplies available to use and staff will be present to assist as needed. No registration is required to attend; drop-ins encouraged. Stay for as little or as long as you’d like during the event.

NO RECOMBINATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
2026-06-14 19:00 - 19:50, 2026-06-14 14:00 - 14:50 | City Council Chambers Cambridge City Hall, Massachusetts Avenue 795, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States
On a hot summer evening in 1976, the Cambridge City Council faced a packed hearing room—and a decision that would echo across the globe.
At the center of it all stood Mayor Al Vellucci: sharp-tongued, fearless, and ready to take on science itself. The issue? A new biohazard lab designed for groundbreaking recombinant DNA research—celebrated by some as the future of science, feared by others as the birthplace of “Frankenstein bacteria.” Nobel Prize–winning scientists, passionate citizens, politicians, and the global press all converged on Cambridge to confront one explosive question: Who gets to decide the boundaries of scientific discovery?
Fifty years later, step back in time with an immersive theatrical experience staged in the very same Cambridge City Hall hearing room where this conversation took place. Relive the tension, the debate, and the moment that turned local politics into a worldwide reckoning and that formed the Kendall Square that we know today.
Stay after the show to engage in thought-provoking conversation about the legacy of the hearing, the power of public oversight, and the future of community-driven science.
No Recombination Without Representation is a partnership between the MIT Museum, Central Square Theater, and the City of Cambridge. Performances will occur at Sullivan Chamber in Cambridge City Hall. All shows are free and open to the public.
This production was made possible through the generous contributions of MIT Museum supporters Phil and Ann Sharp and MIT’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society. This program is part of the MIT Museum’s year-long exploration of TIME and is part of the Massachusetts 250 activities celebrating the many “firsts” and innovations created in our state through the last 250 years.

Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State
2026-06-14 11:30 - 16:30 | Indian House Memorial, Old Main Street 107, Deerfield, MA, 01342, United States
We are proud to introduce our most ambitious exhibit ever, titled “Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State,” made possible by a grant from Massachusetts 250 and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). Through rare artifacts, photographs, and documents, this exhibit will tell the story of Massachusetts brewers from the Pilgrims to the present. This exhibit will be held in a rebuilt Revolutionary era tavern and tickets will be $5. Come see it starting May 30th at 107 Old Main Street in Deerfield at the Indian House Memorial.
No state has been more impacted by brewing than Massachusetts. But this story hasn’t been told in one place, until now. “Brewing Massachusetts” will be open during the 250th anniversary of 1776, a landmark nationwide event that will shine a spotlight on American history. We want to incorporate the entire state in our celebration of the History of Brewing, and what better way than to include all of Massachusetts.

Revolution 250 Salem Tour
2026-06-14 11:00 - 12:30 | Salem Historical Tours, Central Street 8, Salem, Massachusetts, 01970, United States
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 Gage encountered some of his biggest challenges to his authority in Salem.
We always say that without Salem, the United States may not be the same United States we know today.
Come to Salem as part of the Rev250 Celebration and learn the incredible role our patriots played in the start of our country.
https://www.salemhistoricaltours.com/revolution-250-tour

47th Annual Old Newbury Garden Tour
2026-06-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street, Newburyport, 01950, United States
Enjoy two days of exclusive access to stunning gardens in greater Newburyport and Amesbury.
The Museum of Old Newbury invites you to enjoy this year’s Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2026. This year’s theme is 250 Years of Growth, an homage to the originality and innovation of American gardens, and our featured gardens in particular. You’ll enjoy access to the best we have to offer, from urban pocket gardens to larger, more formal landscapes.
The 47th Old Newbury Garden Tour occurs rain or shine. It is an inspiration for those ranging from professionals seriously interested in garden design and horticulture to enthusiasts who simply love beautiful gardens.
Tickets are $25 members, $40 non-members; your ticket is good for one or both days.
Tickets can also be purchased in-person at 98 High St., Newburyport during the event.
Start at 98 High Street to pick up your garden tour guide, or use the digital guide that you’ll receive by email a week before the event!
