MA250

DCR First Day Hike at Great Falls Discovery Center
2026-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | DCR Great Falls Discovery Center, Avenue A 2, Montague, Massachusetts, 01376, United States
Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, and it is also where the First Day Hikes started. On New Years Day in 1992, 380 people gathered at Blue Hills Reservation to welcome the new year with a walk in the woods. That simple idea grew into something big. Today, all 50 states offer First Day Hikes on January 1. As we prepare to honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, DCR is proud to celebrate this Massachusetts tradition that continues to inspire the nation.
Great Falls Discovery Center
January 1, 2026, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Meeting Location: 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
GPS: 42.61006109848692, -72.55549150374713
Celebrate the New Year at Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner Falls on a First Day Hike! Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the paved Canalside Rail Trail. This family-friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make this such a beautiful and unique State Park! Hike is approximately 3-miles, about 1.5 hours in duration. Route may change depending on trail conditions. Dress for the weather. Leashed dogs are welcome, please no dogs inside the Great Hall.
Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Hike begins at 1:15pm. For more information, please call, (413) 863-3221.

DCR First Day Hike at Mount Greylock State Reservation
2026-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | DCR Mount Greylock State Reservation, Rockwell Road 30, Lanesborough, Massachusetts, 01237, United States
Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, and it is also where the First Day Hikes started. On New Years Day in 1992, 380 people gathered at Blue Hills Reservation to welcome the new year with a walk in the woods. That simple idea grew into something big. Today, all 50 states offer First Day Hikes on January 1. As we prepare to honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, DCR is proud to celebrate this Massachusetts tradition that continues to inspire the nation.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
January 1, 2026, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Meeting Location: 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA
GPS: 42.553694356777704, -73.21327
Registration required: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fh2GPrdIDkqYBowE2Bt7Kmip39phsSVPm9-TaYv7LxNUMUs5R0wzVkQ5RzlEWEgwTTMxQ0VXR0RMOS4u&route=shorturl
Celebrate the New Years at Mount Greylock State Reservation on a First Day Hike! Meet at the Mount Greylock Visitor Center. Hiking the Bradley Farm Trail, easy to moderate in difficulty, with an elevation gain of approximately 450 feet. Along the way, enjoy beautiful scenery and interpretive stations highlighting natural and cultural history. Hike is approximately 2 miles, about 1.5 to 2 hours in duration. Dress for the weather, wear winter boots and leashed dogs are welcome. Space is limited to 25; registration is required. Before and after the hike, warm up by the fire inside the Visitor Center. For more information, please call (413) 499-4262.

DCR First Day Hike at Mount Tom Reservation
2026-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | DCR Mount Tom Reservation, Reservation Road 125, Holyoke, Massachusetts, 01040, United States
Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, and it is also where the First Day Hikes started. On New Years Day in 1992, 380 people gathered at Blue Hills Reservation to welcome the new year with a walk in the woods. That simple idea grew into something big. Today, all 50 states offer First Day Hikes on January 1. As we prepare to honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, DCR is proud to celebrate this Massachusetts tradition that continues to inspire the nation.
Mt. Tom Reservation
January 1, 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Meeting Location: 125 Reservation Road Holyoke
GPS: 42.26903335952047, -72.61654571569925
Registration required: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Fh2GPrdIDkqYBowE2Bt7Kmip39phsSVPm9-TaYv7LxNURDhYSzIxTFZPWFpFT1lZV1pWWEZaTDY3SC4u&route=shorturl
Celebrate the New Year at Mt. Tom Reservation in Holyoke on a First Day Hike! Meet at the warming hut for a guided 2-mile hike, about 1.5 hours in duration. Hike will start at Bray Lake parking area on our newly redone universal access trail and then we will turn onto the Bray Loop Trail. Hike will be easy to moderate at time with mixed surface of packed gravel, to rocky portions of the trail. There will be about 300 feet of elevation gain along the route. We may see some evidence of wildlife and the beautiful Bray Lake. Dress for the weather, leashed dogs are welcome. Space is limited; registration is required. For more information, please call (413) 534-1186

Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays
2026-01-03 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-07 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-21 10:00 - 13:00 and 3 more dates | Custom House Maritime Museum, Water Street 25, Newburyport, Massachusetts, 01950, United States
FREE outdoor and indoor activities for kids all summer long
Building on the success of the Road to Revolution partnership programs, each Saturday from now until the end of September, the museum will host children’s outdoor and indoor programming. The hugely successful Discovery Center experience will extend out onto the lawn with 15 new activity stations. Rolling River Printmakers of New England will partner this week with an activity station to make prints. A rideable dolphin and elephant, courtesy of local sculptor Jeff Briggs, along with a bouncy castle, pirate boat with water guns, plus water, sand and craft tables await.
This free program runs from 10 am to 1 pm thanks to generous sponsorship from the Institution for Savings and the Local Cultural Council.
Looking ahead, in September, the museum is pleased to partner with Imagine Studios on a fascinating project to burn and carve out of a pine log and shape into a 20 foot long mishoon (dugout canoe) using traditional methods. Led by Imagine Studios, Darius Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Jonathan Petty of the Aquinnah Wampanoag will carve over successive weekends. Sponsored by the New England Foundation for the Arts, and with in-kind support from New England Development, the goal is to launch on Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 11.
We hope you can join us.–James

America's 250th: Unraveling the Revolutionary Journey of William Rotch Sr.
2026-01-06 16:30 - 17:30 | The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, County Street 396, New Bedford, MA, 02740, United States
Join us in the RJD parlors as Dr. Sarah Crabtree gives an illustrated talk addressing themes in her book: Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch. Sarah Crabtree is a Professor of History at San Francisco State University. Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! (PSUP, March 2026) is her second book. She is also the author of several journal articles and the recipient of several fellowships, including the National Endowment of the Humanities grant that supported the development of this exhibit.
About Quaker, Whaler, Traitor, Spy! The Trials of William Rotch:
Accused of treason four times by three governments in two revolutionary decades (1775 – 1795), William Rotch suffered from the “with-us-or-against-us” political landscape of the late eighteenth century. A Quaker, he opposed wars for independence and empire. Yet he downplayed and even withheld key details from his story, a second narrative that began with the Boston Tea Party, stretched across the world, and made him one of the wealthiest men in America.

Knox Trail 250
2026-01-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Massachusetts
On July 4, 2026 our nation will celebrate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Leading up to this historic birthday Revolution 250 was created. In keeping with this celebratory campaign, it is with great enthusiasm that we present the momentous commemoration of this country’s founding, Knox Trail 250. This sequenced program is designed to represent the Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery of 1776, the catalyst for what we now recognize in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Evacuation Day.
On the morning of January 10, 2026, along the Massachusetts and New York state border, there will be a ceremony representative of the official Knox handoff that occurred in December before embarking on the historic journey. In Massachusetts, starting in Great Barrington, going through over 33 towns, including locations in New York, a simulation of the journey would be celebrated in designated hubs.
This sequenced parade of regional recognition will incorporate the invitation and participation of town managers, local historians, celebrating the commemoration and respective connections in the Noble Trail of Artillery.
GREAT BARRINGTON
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
SPRINGFIELD
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Springfield Armory
WORCESTER
Saturday, January 31, 2026
American Antiquarian Society
FRAMINGHAM
Saturday, February 14, 2026
The Village Hall, Framingham Green
Cambridge
Friday, February 27, 2026
Longfellow House
ROXBURY
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
First Church in Roxbury
BOSTON
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Dorchester Heights

The Winter at Valley Forge and the faith of George Washington
2026-01-10 15:30 - 16:30 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
In person and livestreamed from the Performing Arts Center, Brewster
Presented by Dr. Peter Lillback
This sixth lecture in the America 250 series will highlight the miracle of Winter at Valley Forge (1777-1778). In particular, this talk will offer a study of George Washington’s reliance on God, and a defining moment of George Washington’s faith as he prayed and fasted in the snow at Valley Forge. George Washington demonstrated practically his faith in crisis. God heard his prayers and delivered George Washington and the troops from their endurance of incredible physical hardship and a spiritual trial. George Washington’s example raises a question – what do we say today about the question of separation of church and state? Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org FREE

For Love! For Liberty! A New Musical
2026-01-18 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-01-18 16:00 - 17:30 | 52sumner.com, Sumner Avenue 52, Springfield, MA, 01108, United States
For Love! For Liberty! Is a new musical theater production featuring delightful songs, dance, and characters. It bridges centuries, set in Springfield Mass at the Springfield Army and in 1775-6 along the Knox trail. The story unfolds as middle-school history students help the US Park Service, teachers and grandparents bring lessor known revolutionary heroes to to life. This moving presentation explores the true story of Henry (Harry) Knox, the young Boston bookseller who, in the winter of 1775–76, hauled sixty tons of cannon over frozen lakes and mountains to save the American Revolution. At the center of his journey stands Lucy Knox, who defies her loyalist family, sacrifices her fortune, and sustains Harry’s courage with letters and cake.
This production was created by Springfield Community Theater / Springfield Performing Arts Venture at 52 Sumner Avenue in Springfield. And was made possible by MA250 grant from The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Story and Lyrics by Vana Nespor and Music by Clifton (Jerry) Noble. Tickets available at 52sumner.com.

A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge
2026-01-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives, Main Street 46, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 01262, United States
The American Revolution comes to Stockbridge!
Please join us for a day of programs and events to mark the 250th anniversary of the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Stretching along Main Street from the Town Offices to the Mission House, activities will include a quartermaster’s tent displaying the kinds of things the army requisitioned from townspeople, a presentation on 18th century foraging and food by a local historian, and an exhibit of 18th century artifacts from the collections of the Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives and Bidwell House. Chat with reenactors; visit a tavern set-up at the Mission House and learn about life in the army and on the home front during the American Revolution.
Special programming includes a visit from Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery featuring costumed educators from Fort Ticonderoga, a non-firing reproduction cannon, and two (friendly) oxen; and a presentation by two Mohican veterans discussing the role their ancestors played in the Revolution and the importance of military service in their community.
Please check the event website for the latest programs and schedule information.
This event is associated with Massachusetts 250 and Berkshires 250.
We are grateful for our partnerships with the Trustees of Reservations, Bidwell House, and the Berkshire Historical Society; and support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Mass Humanities, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area.
Snow date TBD.

“Expansive Histories of the American Revolution” Free Virtual Lecture Series
2026-01-25 14:00 - 2026-03-29 15:00, 2026-02-22 14:00 - 2026-04-26 15:00 | historic deerfield, Memorial Street 16, Deerfield, MA, 01342, United States
Join Historic Deerfield by Zoom for this free virtual lecture series!
In observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we invite you to tune in to our free, virtual Winter Lecture Series, featuring three distinguished scholars. This series will explore the American Revolution not just as a political conflict, but as a broad and complex global event that profoundly shaped the lives of everyone in the colonies. The war’s impact extended far beyond political fervor, crucially affecting Native nations seeking autonomy, free and enslaved Black people across the continent, and every sphere of social, cultural, and economic life—from material culture and daily labor to political ideology. Our speakers will elaborate on their research to illuminate these often-overlooked aspects of this foundational conflict.
Lecture 1: Sunday, January 25, 2 p.m.
Dr. Woody Holton, Professor of History at the University of South Carolina
Lecture 2: Sunday, February 22, 2 p.m.
Dr. Kathleen DuVal, Carl W. Ernst Distinguished Professor of History the University of North Carolina
Lecture 3: Sunday, March 29, 2 p.m.
Dr. Paul Staiti, Professor of Fine Arts on the Alum Foundation at Mount Holyoke College
All lectures are free of charge and will be presented virtually via Zoom webinar.

From Hingham to the Americas: New Perspectives on the 18th Century at the MFA
2026-01-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is reimagining its 18th-century galleries of the Art of the Americas Wing for the first time since 2010. This major reinstallation brings together works from across the Americas, highlighting the interconnected histories of the continent and examining how artists have contributed to emerging ideas of identity and nationhood.
Lucía Abramovich Sánchez is the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she works with a wide range of artwork that includes decorative arts and sculpture from North America and Latin America, spanning over 3,000 years of history. Dr. Abramovich Sánchez holds a B.A. from the College of William & Mary, M.A. from the Sainsbury Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, and Ph.D. from the Latin American Studies & Art History joint doctoral program at Tulane University.
The Hingham Historical Society Lecture Series is live and available either in-person or via ZOOM webinar.

Hingham’s Black Revolutionaries
2026-02-22 15:00 - 16:30 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
How did Hingham’s free and enslaved Black population experience the American Revolution? Join local historian Paula Bagger as she unpacks previously untold stories of service both on the battlefield and the home front.
Paula Bagger is a premier historian of Hingham history. In 2024, she was honored with the Judith Kimball Award in recognition of her decade of service to the Society, including groundbreaking research on artist Prince Demah, people of color in Hingham, and, most recently, Hingham’s 1776 census return. Paula’s volunteer service with the Society began in 2007, and she has served in numerous capacities, including a five-year term as its President. In addition to her work with the Society, Paula is employed as an attorney, arbitrator, and mediator, with a specialty in business and commercial disputes. Paula earned an A.B. degree in history from Harvard University and a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

Evacuation Day Boston 250
2026-03-17 09:00 - 17:00 | Outside Fort Independence, Castle Island, South Boston, William J Day Boulevard 2010, Boston, Massachusetts, 02127, United States
The Massachusetts Independence Day event is intended to be a grand-scale event celebrating the departure of the British Army after a ten-month siege and commemorating the service and sacrifice of thousands of men and women who supported the siege of Boston. This event will feature:
Parade/Review
Presentation Program
Flyover/21 Gun Salute
Reception
The Parade will feature the following:
Fife and Drum Units (1 from each of the represented States)
Colonial Militia Units (At least 1 from each of the represented States)
Knox Noble Train
Henry Knox Honor Guard
Other State SAR Honor Guards
Historical Characters
George and Martha Washington
John and Abigail Adams
James and Mercy Otis Warren
Members of the SAR
Members of the DAR
Members of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
Modern US Military Units
Historical/Ceremonial Military Units
Ancient and Honorable
National Lancers
Philadelphia First Troop
Connecticut Governor’s Guard
