MA250

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage
2026-09-11 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-10 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-08 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State
2026-09-11 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.

Patriots of Color Exhibition
2026-09-11 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-09-10 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-09-09 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-09-08 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.

America 250 Outdoor Exhibit: 250 Years of the American Story
2026-09-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-10 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Church of the Transfiguration, 5 Bay View Drive, Orleans, MA, 02653, United States
A walk-about tour around the Common of the Church of the Transfiguration, Rock Harbor, Orleans
June 22 to July 12, Mon–Sat (except Wed.) 10am–5pm, and Sunday 11am–12 noon; Free Admission.
Take an outdoor stroll to revisit our history—culture, science, faith, politics, commerce, and constitutional rights—and meet many heroes, known and unknown, along the way who made this nation strong, prosperous, and rooted in Liberty. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement
2026-09-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-10 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-09 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-08 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
2026-09-11 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-09-10 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-09-09 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-09-08 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

The Aspirations of Ordinary People - Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective
2026-09-11 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-10 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-09 08:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-08 08:00 - 14:00 | North Andover Historical Society, 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, 01845, United States
The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality and justice. Their ideals and aspirations are the standards by which we measure our progress today.
Come discover the amazing stories brought to life at the North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) through REV250, a series of programs and exhibits dedicated to the American Revolution.
The exhibit will be open every week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Please check the website for more information.

Upton Historical Society to Host Declaration of Independence Commemoration Program
2026-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Upton Community Center, 9 Milford St, Upton, Upton, 01568, United States
The Upton Historical Society will present a special program celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Thursday April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Upton Community Center (9 Milford St Upton).
Titled “Declaration of Independence,” the program will feature a unique local perspective led by students from the History 2 class at Nipmuc Regional High School. Participants will explore and compare historic documents from surrounding towns alongside the original Declaration, offering insight into how revolutionary ideas were reflected and recorded in local communities during the era.
Through this collaborative presentation, students will demonstrate how regional records and civic documents deepen understanding of the principles expressed in 1776. The program reflects the Upton Historical Society’s commitment to preserving and sharing local history while encouraging educational partnerships with area schools.
The event is open to the public and welcomes residents, families, and history enthusiasts interested in commemorating this milestone anniversary while supporting student scholarship and community engagement.
For additional information about this program or other Society events, contact the Upton Historical Society.

Boston: Harbor History Waterfront Walking Tour
2026-09-10 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-09-09 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-09-08 15:30 - 17:00 | Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center, Atlantic Avenue 191 W, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Boston Harbor has undergone significant transformation over four centuries. Experience Boston’s rich maritime heritage and contemporary vibrancy on a 1.5-hour stroll along the Boston Harborwalk, led by an expert local guide. The tour begins at the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway—site of the “Big Dig”—and concludes at Fan Pier in the dynamic Seaport district, offering exceptional views throughout.
This small group walking tour explores the evolution of Boston’s waterfront, from its origins as a colonial port in the British Empire; through its development as a major center for shipping, fishing, and global trade; to its rebirth as a hub for modern commerce, tourism, and recreation. As you venture through the heart of the Boston Harborwalk, gain insight into the city’s significant efforts to expand and revitalize its waterfront infrastructure, greenspace, and public access.
Hub Town Tours delivers a compelling introduction to Boston’s identity as America’s “city by the sea.” Hear engaging stories as you pass historic landmarks and architectural highlights, illustrating the remarkable shoreline transformation from an industrial area and “dirty water” dumping ground to a vibrant public space beside one of the cleanest harbors in the United States.

Salt and Survival: The Untold Story of the Revolution
2026-09-10 13:00 - 2026-10-31 16:00 | Jericho Historical Center, Old Main Street 90, Dennis, Massachusetts, 02670, United States
School lessons about the American Revolution often focus on the Boston Tea Party—but far fewer people learn about the importance of salt.
Cod fishing, Cape Cod’s biggest industry, relied on salt for preserving fish for export. British blockades, designed to cripple coastal communities, were preventing salt being imported.
In response, colonists relied on the sun and their ingenuity. Captain John Sears of Dennis designed the first saltworks, using solar evaporation to produce the salt essential for preserving fish and eliminating the dependance on imported goods.
At the Jericho Historical Center discover the history of the first saltworks, explore a detailed model, see a demonstration of solar evaporation, and view photographs and early artifacts.
In addition, tour an historic full cape house built in 1801, and occupied by the Baker family until 1955, containing 19th century furnishings, textiles, paintings and keepsakes. In the barn, tools and equipment from the 1800s are displayed, as well as a carriage that raced at Riverside Trotting Park. The General Store is a reminder of the important role such gathering places played in the community’s economic and social life. Of special interest is the cranberry exhibit which tells the 200-year-old story of cranberry cultivation; an industry that began in Dennis in 1816!

History Uncorked: A Summer Lecture Series at the Nickerson Mansion
2026-09-09 19:00 - 20:00 | The Mansion at Ocean Edge, Main Street 2907, Brewster, MA, 02631, United States
Visit Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club this summer for History Uncorked — a series of four evening lectures held inside the historic Nickerson Mansion in Brewster, Cape Cod, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Led by Ocean Edge’s resident historian Renee Dee and Cape Cod historian David Martin, Ph.D., each talk explores a different chapter of American and local Revolutionary history — from the Nickerson family’s ties to George Washington, to the role of what is now Brewster (then the North Parish of Harwich) during the Revolution, to the Treaty of Paris and the path to the US Constitution.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
All lectures begin at 7PM in the La Salette Room, The Nickerson Mansion at Ocean Edge Resort.
June 24 — The (Brewster) Nickerson’s & America
Led by Renee Dee
Tracing the Nickerson family lineage and its connections to Revolutionary-era figures, including George Washington.
July 15 — The American Revolution on Cape Cod & the Islands
Led by David Martin, Ph.D.
A look at the Revolution across Cape Cod and the Islands, including newly uncovered connections to residents of what is now Brewster — then the North Parish of Harwich. Drawn from the new 27-author volume on the American Revolution on Cape Cod and the Islands.
August 12 — The Nickerson Legacy on Cape Cod
Led by Renee Dee
The Nickerson family’s lasting impact on the region and the evolution of the property from private Gilded Age estate to the Ocean Edge of today.
September 9 — From Independence to Constitution
Led by David Martin, Ph.D.
From the Declaration of Independence to the Treaty of Paris and the drafting of the US Constitution — the story of how a revolution becomes a republic.
ABOUT THE HISTORIANS
Renee Dee is Ocean Edge’s Resident Historian, researching the Nickerson family, Fieldstone Hall, and the property’s storied past since 2016. Through archival research and storytelling, she continues to uncover new details about the estate and its former owners.
David Martin, Ph.D., is Professor/Dean Emeritus from Gallaudet University. Since retiring to Cape Cod, he has served as past president of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society and currently serves as president of the Marstons Mills Historical Society. He chaired the committee behind a new 27-author book on the American Revolution on Cape Cod and the Islands.
Each lecture is complimentary and open to resort guests. Seating is limited — reservations recommended.
