MA250

Premiere of new Film: "From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful"
2025-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Falmouth Public Library, Main Street 300, Falmouth, Massachusetts, 02540, United States
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 be in attendance for a Q & A and discussion after the screening. This event honors the life of a Falmouth native and is free to the public.
From Sea to Shining Sea explores the remarkable life of Katharine Lee Bates, poet, professor, and social reformer, beginning with her childhood in Falmouth. An unsung hero best known for authoring America the Beautiful, Bates was deeply committed to the beauty and principles of our country. This film is especially appropriate as statewide Massachusetts 250 commemorations lead up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, offering hope for the healing of a polarized America. Various state and federal commemorations are already underway for America250.
America The Beautiful may be America’s most beloved song. The words are found in nearly every hymn book in the country. It celebrates our natural beauty and makes a powerful appeal for justice, brotherhood and inclusion. It has been sung at inaugurations, demonstrations, and sporting events, in operatic, folk, country and other styles. Yet few know about the fascinating life of Katharine Lee Bates, the Falmouth-born Wellesley college professor who wrote the lyrics to the song. Her story should not be forgotten, nor its context. Her contribution to our national culture merited her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970; and a February 2025 New England Music Hall of Fame class which also included Queen’s Freddie Mercury, The Monkees and other music industry influential.
The first words of the song came to Bates as she surveyed the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains from the broad summit of Colorado’s Pike’s Peak on July 22, 1893. Her verses acknowledge that the United States has often not lived up to its promises and ideals, yet it honors the unbroken chain of Americans who strived to make it all it can be – from sea to shining sea.
The 37 minute film includes hundreds of still photos, archival film clips, beautiful watercolors and stunning contemporary footage from Falmouth and other locations, bringing to life the historical events that shaped Bates’ thinking, including the Civil War, women’s suffrage, the Gilded Age, the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, immigration to America, the Spanish American War, the Lawrence textile workers’ strike of 1912, and the First World War. The song America the Beautiful is presented in the film by Blane Howard, an independent country recording artist, and includes excerpts from many other renowned artists.

Carlisle Colonial Faire
2025-03-15 10:00 - 15:00 | First Religious Society, School Street 27, Carlisle, Massachusetts, 01741, United States
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 local artifacts from the Revolutionary War. The faire is your opportunity to get information about the Patriots Day 250th Anniversary Parade and Celebration this April. The event is free – all are welcome!
Full list of Demonstrations, Exhibits, and Vendors:
Revolutionary Reenactment (5th Regiment of Foot and Middlesex 6th Regiment)
Revolutionary War reenactors will be demonstrating drilling and firing on the Town Common outside the church where the Carlisle Minutemen gathered before marching to the Old North Bridge on the morning of April 19th 1775. They will also be performing period fife and drum music.
Historical Exhibit (The Carlisle Historical Society)
The Society will be on hand with a very special display. You will view a curated collection of local, authentic, Revolutionary War artifacts, some never seen before outside of the small local museum. Meet our CHS Board members and listen to the history surrounding these amazing items.
Rick Hamelin (Master potter, “Pottery and Patriots”)
Rick will demonstrate live red ware pottery making on his wheel, as he discusses the history of pottery in this region and tells stories related to the colonial period, using an interactive format.
Suzanne Korn (Folk art painter)
Suzanne will discuss the itinerant artist Rufus Porter whose style of Folk Art / primitive paintings and murals can be found in early inns and taverns up and down the East Coast. A slide show will demonstrate his style and how it influences her commissioned work. Suzanne’s recently completed “Smalls”, will be available for purchase.
Nancy Kronenberg (Master weaver)
Nancy will demonstrate the art of loom weaving. She will showcase a contemporary linen work that matches an exact hand-woven pattern used in the making of a colonial linen textile, currently in the Carlisle Historical Society’s collection. In addition, Nancy and her assistants will be offering a special children’s weaving project which they can complete on individual looms (for second graders and older).
LexArt Weavers (A collaborative group of local weavers)
They will offer a variety of smaller hand woven products to purchase.
Debbie Bentley (Local fabric artisan and watercolorist)
Debbie will display her many talents as she showcases her table with hand knitted goods, as well as water-colored paintings of Carlisle’s historic buildings and properties. Learn to knit a Revolutionary “Red Cap” with Debbie and become familiar with the history surrounding it. Stop by her booth for other surprises!
Betsy Fell (Local Basketmaker)
Betsy will present a live demonstration of her basket weaving skills while showcasing her lovely baskets — also available for purchase.
Katy Scholten (Jewelry maker)
Katy will present an informative slide show which will showcase jewelry that was popular during the Colonial Period. In
addition, she will display and sell her custom beaded pieces.
Jonathan Dekock (Local beekeeper/honey producer)
Jonathan will have his local honey available to purchase. He will provide attendees with informative connections on
how this sweetener was used during the Colonial Period.
Nate McKinley (Hard cider maker & proprietor at Pony Shack Cider Inc., Boxborough, Mass. )
Hard cider was the drink of choice during Colonial times. Come and join us for a glass!
Michael O’Connell (Author)
Michael will have his two recently published books, one for children, one for adults, available for signing and purchase. Michael’s books take the reader on a real treasure hunt — one local, and the other more distant, as they visit significant historical landmarks along the way. The books are packed with Patriot’s and Revolutionary War history and you will discover landmarks you never knew existed!
Carlisle 250 Information (Carlisle 250 Committee)
Members of the Carlisle 250 Committee will be on hand to offer attendees information about the upcoming Carlisle Patriots Day Parade to the Old North Bridge and other 250th events planned by the town. You can also learn about some of Carlisle’s colonial historic sites that can be explored after the event.

This program is supported by the Carlisle Historical Society, in part with grants from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Revolutionary Newton
2025-03-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton, 02458, United States
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, describe daily life, reminisce on military service, and much more. A scavenger hunt will guide visitors through interactive spaces where they can ask questions and engage with the exhibits and the people who once occupied them. Enjoy live music and food while listening to “lightning talks” throughout the day where special guests will discuss special topics. View special 18th-century artifacts from the collection on display for the first time this decade. Shop new and exclusive merchandise and see what your local museum can do for you! This event is free and open to the public.

Wood Type Use, History, and Identification Lecture and Workshop with James Grieshaber
2025-03-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Museum of Printing, 15 Thornton Ave, Haverhill, MA, 01832, United States
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 Grieshaber, who wrote The Virgin Wood Type Bible, is a
noted type historian and type designer who will also speak to some of the uses of wood type printing historic broadsides. He will be in residence at the Museum of Printing for a week prior to the lecture helping identify and organize the museum’s wood type collection, and will be presenting on what he’s found there.
Virgin Wood Type produces twentieth-century wood fonts using original patterns from historic wood type manufacturers, as well as developing revivals of Victorian-era wood type classics. They also issue new designs from contemporary type designers, produced in the traditional manner, using a vintage pantograph router, originally owned by American Wood Type Mfg. Co.
The Virgin Wood Type Bible enables the reader to gain insight into the history of, and be able to identify, over 500 historic wood type designs. To accomplish this, Grieshaber has located and researched all of the known printed catalogs from the makers, as well as considered physical clues on the over 300 fonts represented in the Virgin Wood Type Pattern Library. These include patterns from American, Acme, Allied, Empire, and some from Stephenson, Blake who had a US distribution agreement with American Wood Type. Also included are new fonts manufactured by Virgin Wood Type, designed by the Grieshaber and others, which often draw on historical models.
James Grieshaber has been a designer for newspaper and advertising agencies, and a type designer for P22 Type Foundry, Typeco, and others. James is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and has taught Typography at RIT. While working as a wood type designer and cutter for Virgin Wood Type, Grieshaber cleaned, cataloged, and identified all the historic wood type patterns in their collection, which led him to create this book.
Funding by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) Massachusetts 250 Grant Program. Supporting the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with projects that highlight historic themes of revolution and independence, celebrate significant “firsts” in Massachusetts history, or take a creative or innovative approach to commemorating the state’s past 250 years.

Concord250 Event: “A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color”
2025-03-15 15:00 - 17:00 | umbrella arts center, Stow Street, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
“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 Arts, 40 Stow Street in Concord.
In 1775, between 20 and 40 colonists of African and Indigenous descent fought alongside their fellow revolutionaries on the Battle Road during the opening conflict of the American Revolution. These individuals, who had been excluded from formal militia service prior to the war, became some of the earliest patriots to take up arms in the fight for liberty. By the end of the Revolutionary War, approximately 5,500 people of color had served in the Continental Army or militia, risking their lives for the promise of freedom.
Despite their significant role in the founding of the United States, the stories of these patriots and their descendants have often been erased or overshadowed by historical bias, and their sacrifices obscured by a narrative written by others.
By telling their stories and honoring their service, we not only shed light on their essential contributions but also expand our understanding of the nation’s founding. Their bravery and resilience remind us that the struggle for freedom has always been fought by people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Today, efforts at the national and state levels—particularly in Massachusetts—are working to correct this historical oversight and honor the full spectrum of those who fought and continue to fight for liberty and equality for all people.
Program Highlights:
Historical Narratives: Historical interpreters guide participants through the stories of people who fought for independence. Brister Freeman, Cesar Robbins among others
Inspiring Performers: Through spoken word, theatre, music and song performers will share perspectives on the ongoing struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality, both during the Revolution and in the centuries that followed.
Community Reflection: The event will close with a community dialogue on the importance of recognizing the diverse voices and contributions that shaped the nation’s history, past and present.
Join us for an event of learning, reflection, and recognition as we honor the courageous men and women who fought for freedom and whose stories are vital to understanding the full history of our nation.
Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
Partners: MA250 Concord250, Minuteman National Historical Park, The Robbins House, The Town of Concord, The Umbrella Arts Center.

Naughty Newton at Night: Revolution After Hours
2025-03-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton, 02458, United States
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 a raffle sponsored by Hub Town Tours and Democracy Brewing. This adults-only event will be an exciting and memorable end to a day of historic exploration. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Sudbury History: Before the Revolution
2025-03-16 16:00 - 17:30 | Martha Mary Chapel, Dutton Road 35, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776, United States
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 town did they leave, not knowing whether they would ever see it again? What about those left behind that day who could only wonder and wait? Meet the men and women as they transition from proud Englishmen to patriotic American citizens.

Affectionate Friends and Humble Servants: Martha Washington and Mercy Otis Warren in Conversation
2025-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 encountered. Through a mix of dialogue and historical anecdotes, their conversation highlights their personal reflections and the broader political context, emphasizing the bond that contributed to their influence on the emerging nation.

Rum Revolution Craft Cocktail Class at The Inn at Hastings Park
2025-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | The Inn at Hastings Park, The Inn at Hastings Park | Town Meeting Bistro, Lexington, 02421, United States
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 molasses distillation and rum became plentiful. It was the preferred alcoholic drink of American colonists and, on average, colonists consumed 3.7 gallons annually per head by the time of the American Revolution! Today, rum is again a top contender in popularity. The Inn at Hastings Park’s mixology instructor, Dipendra Karki, leads this hour-and-a-half, expertly guided craft cocktail class. Guests enjoy delicious bar snacks while learning the basics of building the perfect rum cocktails along with takeaway tools to practice the craft at home. What’s included: introduction to various bar tools, learning measurements and pour counts, building rum cocktails, creating creative garnishes, and introduction to infusions. Must be 21+ to participate. 6 – 7:30 p.m. – $125/person.

Fireside Chat with Paul Revere at the Wayside Inn
2025-03-20 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wayside Inn, Wayside Inn Road 72, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776, United States
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 Inn Foundation & the Paul Revere House should call the Inn to reserve tickets at the $20.00 member rate: 978-443-1776 x1.

Newburyport’s Road to Revolution Part II: Newburyport Braces for Attack by Sea
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:00 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 166 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
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, thanks to an elaborate web of defenses including sunken piers, floating batteries, and artillery at Salisbury Point.
Join Graham McKay, executive director of Lowell’s Boat Shop, and Bethany Groff Dorau as we explore how Newburyport prevented attack by sea and became a refuge for rebels at sea.
Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Concord250: QUILTS 250 Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy
2025-03-22 - 2025-03-23 | Concord Academy, Main Street 166, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
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 and is organized by the Concord Piecemakers, Quilters’ Connection, and Rising Star Quilters guilds.
Quilt show with “shows within the show” on the Spirit of 1775; Antique and Antique-Inspired Traditional Quilts; Quilts of Protest; Modern, Contemporary, and Pictorial Quilts; and Student Quilts and Fiber Arts
Lecture by Gerald Roy, Pilgrim/Roy Collection, Quilt Collector and Quilt Historian, and Jennifer Swope, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Textile and Fashion Arts, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Boutique
Children’s Activities
For more information and instructions on entering a quilt, visit https://www.quiltersconnection.org/Quilts250.html

"Spies Among Us:" Intelligence gathering by the British Army and Provincial Congress
2025-03-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Wright Tavern in Concord Center, Lexington Road 2, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
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 of intrigue, strife, and unexpected voices playing an important role in what was to come. Join us at the Wright Tavern on Saturday, March 22, 2025, for a living history event that examines the diverse experiences of those involved in this crucial period leading up to the outbreak of war.
Schedule of Events:
10 AM – Site Opens
Explore the Wright Tavern and learn about the various groups involved in intelligence networks in Massachusetts in the Spring of 1775. Meet Park Rangers and living history volunteers who examine the methods, experiences, and challenges of people navigating this difficult period in history.
11 AM – “For the information of Gen. Gage:” The British Spy mission to Concord
Join us for an interactive program that puts you in the position of a citizen of Concord in March of 1775 when two British Army spies arrived in town. Park Ranger Thompson Dasher will talk about the experiences of these two officers as well as how their visit impacted the community.
2 PM – “Merchants and Mechanicks:” The revolutionary Intelligence Network in Massachusetts
Join Park Rangers Jane Barnes and Bob Marchetta to learn about the diverse groups of people involved in the spread of information in 1775. Merchants, laborers, women, and people of color alike found agency amidst a period of uncertainty.
4 PM – Site Closes
Parking:
Concord Town Lot/ First Parish Church

The American Revolution Experience
2025-03-22 10:00 - 2025-04-06 14:00 | 140 Lincoln St Worcester Ma, Lincoln Street 140, Worcester, MA, 01605, United States
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 Bigelow Chapter DAR. It will be open for public viewing on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Sundays from 12 – 2 p.m., from March 22 through April 6.

Revelry and Revolution: An Evacuation Day Harbor Cruise
2025-03-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Long Wharf, Long Wharf 66, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, United States
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 Long Wharf, cruise by the Charlestown Navy Yard with the view of the Bunker Hill Monument, pass Fort Independence (Fortress William in 1776) with a view of the Dorchester Heights, and cruise by several harbor islands including Little Brewster, home of Boston Light. Swinging around Little Brewster, we will head back to Boston with entertainment by the duo Tobias Tripp and Prudence Merriweather for a 3:00pm return to Long Wharf.
On this cruise you will enjoy:
– Narration by local historians
-Boston Harbor Islands park staff available for questions
-Period music and merriment aboard the cruise
-Views of Boston Light, America’s oldest light station
-Lunch, full bar and other refreshments available for purchase onboard
Registration is required for this event.

Concord Women's Chorus "Songs of the Revolution"
2025-03-23 08:00 - 17:00 | First Parish in Concord, Lexington Road 20, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
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, passionate laments, and songs created by both sides to promote either independence or loyalty to the crown. Dressed in a gown of the time, she plays authentic instruments such as lap dulcimer and an “English guitar” of the type favored by women in the 18th century. Join her for a trip back in time. Suggested donation $20.
Diane is on the Scholarly Advisory Board of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, based in New York City. For over a decade she directed the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. This is her second year with the Concord Women’s Chorus.

Concord250 Lantern Lighting Ceremony
2025-03-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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.
The Concord 250 Lantern is presented by Art for All in partnership with the Concord Museum.
Free and Open to the Public. No advanced registration needed.

The Ride: Kostya Kennedy at The COOP
2025-03-24 18:00 - 19:30 | The COOP, Massachusetts Avenue 140, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, United States
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

Tea, Tories, and the Almost-Battle of Marshfield
2025-03-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Duxbury Free Library, Alden Street 77, Duxbury, MA, 02332, United States
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 British troops, and the dynamics of local patriot and loyalist factions. The narrative culminates in the near-confrontation between local militia and British forces stationed in Marshfield after the outbreak of war at Lexington and Concord, reflecting the broader revolutionary fervor and the precarious balance of loyalties in the region. Join in person in or online via Zoom. Register here to attend online https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vIKvvHNdTdWgeblkmpRcWg

Concord250 Speaker Event: Historian Robert A. Gross
2025-03-26 16:00 - 18:00 | TriCon Church, Walden Street 54, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
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
Venue: Trinitarian Congregational Church
Cost: Free of Charge, sponsored by Milldames
About the Speaker
Dr. Robert Gross is a highly respected historian, known for his meticulous research and engaging presentations on Concord’s historical significance. His work has garnered widespread acclaim, making him a sought-after speaker and a valuable resource to understanding our unique history and cultural import.
Lecture Overview
The lecture will explore the intricate tapestry of Concord’s past, shedding light on its pivotal moments and influential figures. Dr. Gross’s unique insights will provide a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage and how it continues to reverberate in today’s world.
Q&A Session
Dr. Gross is pleased to address your inquiries during the lecture. To facilitate a more thorough and informative discussion, we encourage you to submit your questions when you arrive at the event.
Join Us
We hope you will join us for an evening of historical exploration and intellectual engagement. Dr. Gross’s lecture is an event not to be missed, and we look forward to welcoming you.

Timeline to Independence - Marlborough, MA Rotating Exhibit
2025-03-27 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-29 10:00 - 16:00 | Marlborough Public Library, 35 W Main St., Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States
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
February 1, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM
Exhibit 2: Taxes Imposed & Withdrawn (1751 – 1770) & Building Resentment (1768 – 1774)
February 27, 2025: 10 AM – 7 PM
February 28, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM
March 1, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM
Exhibit 3: Tensions Escalate (1774 – 1775) & American Revolution (1775 – 1783)
March 27, 2025: 10 AM – 7 PM
March 28, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM
March 29, 2025: 10 AM – 4 PM

1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution Opening Reception
2025-03-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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 hors d’oeuvres, libations, and Revolution-themed performances.
Register to Attend here: https://www.masshist.org/events/1775-opening-reception
This is an invitation-only event. If you are not a Member or did not receive an invitation, you can become a Member today.

Revolutionary Harbor Lectures: Seaweeds of Boston Harbor and Beyond
2025-03-27 18:00 - 19:30 | Atlantic Wharf (Fort Point Room), 290 Congress Street, Boston, 02210, United States
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 our backyard? We invite you to join Curtis Morris as he dives into the seaweeds that call Boston Harbor, and the larger Gulf of Maine, home.
Curtis Morris is a PhD student in the Byrnes Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston School for the Environment where he researches kelp forest ecology with an emphasis on exploring the role of seaweeds in Gulf of Maine community ecology. He also works with the Stone Living Lab to study the ecological impact of nature based coastal protection structures.
Atlantic Wharf (Fort Point Room)
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
****$12 Parking after 6 p.m.****
This program is presented by the National Park Service and Boston Harbor Now as a part of our three-part Revolutionary Harbor lecture series.

REBELS at SEA: PRIVATEERING in the AMERICAN REVOLUTION Lecture and book signing by Eric Jay Dolin
2025-03-27 18:30 - 19:30 | MA
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 private vessels, from 20-foot whaleboats to 40-cannon men-of-war, that truly revealed the new nation’s character―above all, its ambition and entrepreneurial ethos.
In Rebels at Sea, Dolin corrects that significant omission, and contends that privateers, though often seen as profiteers at best and pirates at worst, were in fact critical to the Revolution’s outcome.
Armed with cannons, swivel guns, muskets, and pikes―as well as government documents granting them the right to seize enemy ships―thousands of privateers tormented the British on the broad Atlantic and in bays and harbors on both sides of the ocean.
Abounding with tales of daring maneuvers and deadly encounters, Rebels at Sea presents the American Revolution as we have rarely seen it before.
JOIN US! This event is a collaboration with Andover Bookstore.
Eric Jay Dolin Books will be available at the event at a discounted price

Concord Museum: "Whose Revolution" Special Exhibition Opening Day
2025-03-28 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 to broader support for independence. It will examine the experiences of Loyalists and the work of building consensus. It will also emphasize the experiences of enslaved people and Indigenous communities to examine questions of liberty, sovereignty, and protest during the period. Through objects and media installations, this exhibition will feature the different meanings of revolution for the individuals living through this period, revealing how the idea of declaring independence from England was far from inevitable and developed only gradually.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Concord Museum will offer ongoing opportunities to gather as a community, reflect on the founding of our nation, and engage with the significance of our shared past for our present moment. Highlights will include three new special exhibitions, a special speaker series, a published catalog, and expanded educational resources. Together, these initiatives will showcase the incredible stories behind the eyewitness objects held at the Museum to illuminate the many different ways people experienced, shaped, and remembered the Revolution.

Open House and Reception for the 250th Student Art Show
2025-03-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 artwork and meet the artists.
The open house is free and no advanced registration is needed.

Whose Revolution: Special Exhibition Opening Day
2025-03-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
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 experiences of Loyalists and the work of building consensus. It will also emphasize the experiences of enslaved people and Indigenous communities to examine questions of liberty, sovereignty, and protest during the period. Through objects and media installations, this exhibition will feature the different meanings of revolution for the individuals living through this period, revealing how the idea of declaring independence from England was far from inevitable and developed only gradually.

Timeline to Independence - Marlborough, MA Rotating Exhibit
2025-03-29 10:00 - 16:00 | Marlborough Public Library, 35 W Main St., Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States
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.
February 1, 2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exhibit 2: Taxes Imposed & Withdrawn (1751 – 1770) & Building Resentment (1768 – 1774)
February 27, 2025: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
February 28, 2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
March 1, 2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Exhibit 3: Tensions Escalate (1774 – 1775) & American Revolution (1775 – 1783)
March 27, 2025: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
March 28, 2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
March 29, 2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
