MA250

2026 American Stories, American Lives Gala
2026-04-23 18:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Boston Harbor Hotel, Rowes Wharf 70, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Signing of Declaration of Independence, and 250 Years of American History!
The American Stories, American Lives Gala celebrates the work of American Ancestors and the contributions of those in the fields of genealogy and history. Our headquarters houses world-class spaces and resources dedicated to advancing family history, including the Brim-DeForest Library, the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, the Brue Family Learning Center, the 10 Million Names Project, the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center, and our new Family Heritage Experience—a series of dynamic exhibits and interactive displays that introduces visitors to the joys and possibilities of family history.

Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays
2026-04-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-16 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-23 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-30 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-06 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-06-13 10:00 - 13:00 and 11 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

Revolution 250 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-07, 2026-06-20 | Captain Bangs Hallet House & Museum, Strawberry Lane 11, Yarmouth, Massachusetts, 02675, United States
In celebration of the Semiquincentennial of our nation, The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth is holding a series of commemorations, lectures, demonstrations & outdoor events.
Beginning with the June 5th grand re-opening day/weekend of the Captain Bangs Hallet House & Museum, there will be new exhibits, including on the Revolutionary War, highlighting Captain Joshua Gray commander of the local militia. Events will range from telling the stories of Yarmouth’s involvement in the American Revolution to showing how trades such as printing & glassmaking were performed in support of the war effort. Research by the Society indicates nearly 70% of Yarmouth males over the age of sixteen participated in the Revolution. A new monument commemorating these 445 participants will be dedicated with the celebration to include the State SAR Militia, demonstrations & insights from characters in period dress performing in plays or talking graveside in the Ancient Cemetery about a veteran’s service. Many will take place on June 20, 2026 as on this day in 1776, the inhabitants of Yarmouth raised a Liberty Pole & declared a state of independence from Great Britain, two weeks before the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. More events will occur through July 4th & the summer, concluding with a special marking of each grave of the Revolutionary War heroes of Yarmouth. Please visit https://www.hsoy.org/events to sign up.

NRM announces landmark exhibition in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial
2026-06-06 08:00 - 2026-10-26 17:00 | Norman Rockwell Museum, Glendale Road 9, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 01262, United States
In commemoration of America’s 250th founding, Norman Rockwell Museum will present Visions of a Nation: 250 Years from Revolution to Rockwell, from June 6 to October 26, 2026. This sweeping exhibition will portray how artists—from the Revolutionary era to today–emblazoned the ideals and evolving story of America. Organized around nine foundational themes, Visions of a Nation will illuminate how iconic imagery created over centuries helped to reflect and shape what it means to be American.

Spirit of Liberty: Honoring Tradition & Celebrating Our Freedom
2026-06-13 13:00 - 21:30 | Brimfield Town Common and Brimfield Winery, Main Street 20, Brimfield, Massachusetts, 01010, United States
In conjunction with the Brimfield Old Home Day, this is a patriotic and celebrative day that tells the story of Henry Knox’s indomitable American spirit, who led a team from Ticonderoga, NY to bring 59 captured artillery cannons, south from upstate NY, across Massachusetts, and back to Boston ultimately sending the British to evacuate Boston.
CELEBRATING OUR FOUNDERS (1 p.m.)
Beginning around 1pm the Brimfield historical committee will conduct a tour of the cemetery where our residents that served in the Revolutionary War are buried. These Patriots had profound impact on jumpstarting our nation’s freedom with volunteer service in the Revolutionary War and our historic committee will tell their stories.
HISTORIC BRIMFIELD COMMON PRESENTATIONS (2 p.m.)
At 2pm formalities begin on the Brimfield Common with a Betsy Ross Flag raising, patriotic music, reenactors, presentations, and formal awarding of a few civil servants of our town for all they have done to make us a better community.
PARADE – FOLLOWED BY MEET & GREET SELFIE OPPORTUNITY (3 p.m.)
The parade begins at 3pm with a Blackhawk helicopter flyover. The parade consists of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment reenactors, the National Lancers historic horse soldiers, armored vehicles and Soldiers; local Veterans, high school band(s), and a Golf Cart/ATV/vehicle Patriotic decorated displays. The parade participants will conclude in a horseshoe style formation in the fields behind the Brimfield Winery for selfie photos with the community, along with the opportunity to see the Blackhawk helicopter up close.
CELEBRATION, FOOD TRUCKS, STORYTELLING AT THE BON FIRE….AND FIREWORKS
Also at the Brimfield Winery after the parade there will be live music, face painting, and a patriotic youth art display, BBQ and food trucks, and reenactors; the bonfire pit will be lit around 6:45pm while the General Henry Knox reenactor tells the story of his mission to bring the cannons from Ticonderoga NY to Boston; and of course fireworks display at 9pm.
It’s a full day on the weekend of Flag Day to celebrate our nation’s founders and how lucky we are to have inherited and protected the most valuable gift we could ever imagine…our own freedom and liberty.
