MA250

The Memory of '76: The Revolution in American History
2026-01-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, 01609, United States
In this virtual talk, historian Michael D. Hattem will discuss Americans’ uniquely emotional connection to the memory of the Revolution, its central role in American history as a contested national “origin myth,” and how revising the past is an important and long‑standing American political tradition.
Americans agree that their nation’s origins lie in the Revolution, but they have never agreed on what the Revolution meant. For more than two centuries, Americans have reimagined the Revolution to fit the times and have contested the meaning of the nation’s founding. In his talk, Hattem will draw on his latest book, The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History, a finalist for the 2025 Washington Prize. The Memory of ’75 reveals how conflicts over the meaning and legacy of the Revolution—including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—have influenced the most important events and tumultuous periods in the nation’s history.
Michael D. Hattem is a historian of the American Revolution and historical memory. He earned his PhD in History from Yale University and has taught at The New School and Knox College. He is also the author of Past and Prologue: Politics and Memory in the American Revolution (2020). His work has been featured or mentioned in The New York Times, TIME magazine, The Smithsonian Magazine, the Washington Post, as well as many other publications and outlets.
To register for this free, virtual event, visit americanantiquarian.org.

"I Screamed with All My Might" - The Civilians Trapped Behind the Boston Siege Lines
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Acton Town Hall, Main Street 472, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Acton 250 Committee Presents with Alexander Cain, JD
Wednesday, January 28th 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Acton Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Room 204
In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, numerous civilians found themselves trapped within Boston, encircled by the newly formed Massachusetts Grand Army. The constant fear of an American assault, coupled with outbreaks of disease and the erosion of civil liberties under martial rule fostered an atmosphere of desperation. Civilians found themselves caught between two armies and two worlds, unable to flee and the uncertainty of what awaited them if they chose to remain. The experiences of those trapped behind enemy lines unveil another dimension of the Revolution: the quiet endurance of ordinary men, women, and children who faced hunger, fear, and hardship in their struggle to survive.
Alexander Cain, JD, earned his economics degree from Merrimack College in 1993 and obtained his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in 1996. He has authored numerous research articles and presentations on the American Revolution. He published two books: We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War: The Loyalists of McAlpin’s Corps of American Volunteers. He created the blog and podcast Historical Nerdery (historicalnerdery.com). He is in the process of writing “For God’s Sake Fire!” – The Massachusetts Militia System on the Eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which is anticipated to be released in 2027. Alex leads an educational initiative in Northeastern Massachusetts that aims to introduce high school students to careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, and the skilled trades.
Remote Participation: You can watch live on YouTube at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Recordings will be available at Acton TV https://actontv.org/ and on our website https://www.actonma.gov/250 where you’ll find all programming information and a link to our commemorative store.

Tavern Talk: Henry Knox and his Noble Train of Artillery, a 2-Part Series
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Aeronaut Brewery, Tyler Street 14, Somerville, Massachusetts, 02143, United States
Experience the Tavern Tradition — history shared out loud among neighbors.
Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville.
Part 1 (1/26): Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Gibraltar of North America”
Part 2 (2/9): “The Noble Train Arrives: Knox, Washington and the End of the Siege.”
As we continue to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, it is time to celebrate the achievements of Henry Knox, the 25-year old Boston bookseller who, against considerable odds, somehow oversaw the transport of 59 pieces of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga across the Hudson, over the Berkshires and across the length of Massachusetts to the American army camped outside of Boston. But how did those cannons become available in the first place?
In the first installment of a two-part series, we will tell the story of Ticonderoga and its improbable capture, followed by the arrival of Knox six months later. Then we will begin the epic tale of the journey of the Noble Train, following it down the ‘Queen of American Lakes'” towards “the River that Flows Both Ways.”
In the second part of our commemoration of Knox and the Noble Train, we will follow the Ticonderoga cannon over the Berkshires, across the Connecticut River and finally to Dorchester Heights, where their emplacement would finally drive Lord Howe to abandon Boston. The siege was finally over.
“Dan Breen’s descriptions are so vivid, you can feel the wind on your face!”

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.

The Story Behind Paul Revere’s Ride — And More
2026-01-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Program, North Washington Square 19 1/2, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Paul Revere is an American icon, but how much does the story of the Midnight Ride hold up, and why?
This program will explore Revere and his famous ride and offer some insights into other aspects of his life. Revere was a silversmith with several side jobs, an active member of the Freemasons, and a father to a large family, as well as a politically active Patriot in the American Revolution.
Tegan Kehoe, Research and Adult Program Director at the Paul Revere House in Boston, will present Revere and his legacy, including the history of the Paul Revere House itself.
2 PM – Social period
2:15 PM – Brief Society announcements followed by the program
This event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited to 100 attendees. One registration per household, please.
Register for the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Wdys173jTsCd9kvAxCICXg
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Griffin Museum of Photography: Manifest Destiny Exhibition Artist Panel
2026-01-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Griffin Museum of Photography, Shore Road 67, Winchester, MA, 01890, United States
The Griffin Museum is pleased to host an artist panel for the exhibition Manifest Destiny. Please join us in-person to hear from the artists Craig Easton, Drew Leventhal, Lisa Elmaleh, Rich Frishman, and Vicky Sambunaris, who will share with us the creative process behind their works.
The artist panel will be followed by a reception for the exhibition.
The Griffin Museum’s exhibition Manifest Destiny revisits this legacy through a contemporary lens, bringing together photographers who investigate the layered histories held within the American landscape. The artists in this exhibition create images that bear witness to transformation, revealing human stories embedded in the land’s somber monumentality. Here, the emptiness of the landscape becomes a site of tension—between absence and presence, memory and erasure.
Featuring the work of American and international artists Scott Conarroe, Craig Easton, Lisa Elmaleh, Rich Frishman, Drew Leventhal, and Victoria Sambunaris, Manifest Destiny invites viewers to reconsider the narratives that have shaped our national identity.
Manifest Destiny is part of a broader, year-long series of exhibitions titled State of Our Union. The four exhibitions presented in 2026 examine the United States as it celebrates its 250th anniversary—through its landscape, its culture, and its people.

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.
Throughout the day:
Visit the Mission House, which will be set up as a tavern with hot drinks and baked goods available.
Discuss 18th century food and the challenges of provisioning the Continental Army, with Dennis Picard (Library lobby).
Meet some of Prado del Lana’s Lincoln Longwool sheep on the library lawn and engage in two wool-related activities: “skirting” a fleece and dry felting.
Explore cooking and domestic material culture in the Museum and Procter Gallery with staff from the Bidwell House Museum.
First-Person Interpretation, 10:00am – 2:00pm:
Theodore Sedgwick preparing for the Elizabeth Freeman case (Library, Bement Room).
Anna Bingham and Abigail Dwight discussing 18th century tavern keeping and running a business as a woman (Red Lion Inn, small parlor).
Timothy and Rhoda Edwards: uncle and aunt of Aaron Burr, storekeepers, Judge, Deacon (Mission House).
Thomas Williams – highest ranking military officer from Stockbridge to die during the war – discussing the Siege of Boston and other military and local topics.
Members of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment.
Noon – 2:00pm: A demonstration of Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery featuring costumed educators from Fort Ticonderoga, a non-firing reproduction cannon, and two (friendly) oxen (Bidwell Park, next to the Town Offices).
2:00 – 3:00pm: Reenactor interactions on the library lawn.
3:00 – 4:00pm: Talk by Gregg Duffek and JoAnn Schedler, Mohican Veterans (Library, Bement Room)
Please check the event website for the latest programs and schedule information:
A Day In Revolutionary Stockbridge (1775-1783)

Snow date TBD.
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.

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.

Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-10 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-03 10:00 - 13:00 | 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

The First President and the First People: Washington in the Native Northeast
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Cambridge Public Library, Broadway 449, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
To mark the 250th anniversaries of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States, a coalition of local non-profits and government agencies will present Washington in American Memory, a seven-part speaker series.
Explore how Americans have remembered, reinterpreted, and reshaped the meaning of the American Revolution from 1776 to today, featuring:
-Colin Gordon Calloway, author of The Indian World of George Washington: The First President, the First Americans, and the Birth of the Nation and the John Kimball, Jr. 1943 Professor of History and Professor of Native American Studies at Dartmouth College
-Kabl Wilkerson, enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (Bourassa & Muller families; Bear Clan) and doctoral candidate in the History Department at Harvard University

For Love! For Liberty! A New Musical
2026-01-18 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-18 13:30 - 15:00 | 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.

Knox Trail 250 - Springfield
2026-01-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Springfield Armory National Historic Site, One Armory Square, Springfield, 01105, United States
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.
SPRINGFIELD
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Springfield Armory
WORCESTER
Saturday, January 31, 2026
American Antiquarian Society
FRAMINGHAM
Sunday, February 8, 2026
The Village Hall, Framingham Green
Cambridge
Friday, February 27, 2026
Longfellow House
ROXBURY
Saturday, March 7, 2026
First Church in Roxbury
BOSTON
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Dorchester Heights

Knox Trail 250
2026-01-17 09:00 - 17:00
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.
Cambridge
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Cambridge Public Library
ROXBURY
Wednesday, March 7, 2026
First Church in Roxbury
BOSTON
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Dorchester Heights

Agawam Historical Association Winter Meeting - “The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield”
2026-01-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, 01001, United States
The public is invited to the Winter Meeting of the Agawam Historical Association on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, when Springfield Armory National Historic Site Curator Alex MacKenzie will present “The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield,” revealing its hidden stories and the contributions of our region to American independence.
Following the creation of the Continental Army in 1775, General George Washington and his lieutenants organized a system of supply and logistics to support the fledgling American military as it fought for independence. Brigadier General Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery, personally sited a military supply depot at Springfield, Massachusetts early in 1777. Hundreds of enlisted tradesmen poured into town to begin building, repairing, maintaining, and shipping all sorts of military supplies, and Springfield was quickly bustling with activity throughout the American Revolution.
Alex MacKenzie is a museum professional, author, and historian specializing in U.S. military history, with a focus on small arms development, logistics, and supply. He has authored numerous articles and publications on the technical and industrial history of small arms centered on the Springfield Armory (1777–1968) and is a leading authority on the management and care of historic firearms and ammunition in museum collections. He has developed museum policy for the National Park Service, contributed to publications on collections care, and regularly consults with museums nationwide. He serves as Curator of Collections at Springfield Armory National Historic Site and resides in Belchertown with his wife and two daughters.
This event is free and open to the public.

Agawam Historical Association - "The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield"
2026-01-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, 01001, United States
The public is invited to the Winter Meeting of the Agawam Historical Association on Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 6:30 pm at the Captain Charles Leonard House, 663 Main Street, Agawam, when Springfield Armory National Historic Site Curator Alex MacKenzie will present “The Most Proper Spot in America: The Continental Arsenal at Springfield,” revealing its hidden stories and the contributions of our region to American independence.
Following the creation of the Continental Army in 1775, General George Washington and his lieutenants organized a system of supply and logistics to support the fledgling American military as it fought for independence. Brigadier General Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery, personally sited a military supply depot at Springfield, Massachusetts early in 1777. Hundreds of enlisted tradesmen poured into town to begin building, repairing, maintaining, and shipping all sorts of military supplies, and Springfield was quickly bustling with activity throughout the American Revolution.

Knox 250th Cannon Salute & Bonfire Celebration
2026-01-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Blandford Fairgrounds, 10 North Street, Blandford, 01008, United States
Experience a pivotal moment in Blandford’s history! 250 years ago ON THIS DAY, Blandford townspeople greeted General Henry Knox and his “Noble Train of Artillery” on their historic journey as they pulled the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
Let’s do it again and commemorate their legacy.
A FREE EVENT WITH DONUTS, HOT CHOCOLATE & CIDER
• Warm up by a crackling bonfire, grab a seat, donut and hot drink.
• Hear a 30-minute account of Knox’s journey through Blandford told by a colorful cast of characters in their own words, including General Knox, locals, and citizen Solomon Brown who stepped in with his oxen to help and into history.
• We’ll wrap things up with some genuine thunder and smoke – a Revolutionary war guard will fire several cannon rounds!
If you’re wanting more, stop by BHS afterwards to see a slideshow of the 200th anniversary 300-mile reenactment and meet locals who participated. In the event of bad weather, we will cancel (check https://blandfordhistoricalsociety.org the morning of the event) and re-schedule for a later date.

KNOX 25OTH CANNON SALUTE AND BONFIRE CELEBRATION
2026-01-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Blandford Fairgrounds, 10 North Street, Blandford, 01008, United States
Sunday, January 11 from 3:30-5PM
at the Blandford Fairgrounds (10 North Street, Blandford)
— FREE EVENT INCLUDING DONUTS, HOT CHOCOLATE & CIDER —
Experience a pivotal moment in Blandford’s history!
250 years ago ON THIS DAY, Blandford townspeople greeted General Henry Knox and his “Noble Train of Artillery” on their historic journey as they pulled the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
Let’s do it again and commemorate their legacy.
• Warm up by a crackling bonfire, grab a seat, donut and hot drink.
• Hear a 30-minute account of Knox’s journey through Blandford told by a colorful cast of characters in their own words, including General Knox, locals, and citizen Solomon Brown who stepped in with his oxen to help and into history.
• We’ll wrap things up with some genuine thunder and smoke – a Revolutionary war guard will fire several cannon rounds!
If you’re wanting more, stop by BHS afterwards to see a slideshow of the 200th anniversary 300-mile reenactment and meet locals who participated. In the event of bad weather, we will cancel (check our website, www.blandfordhistoricalsociety.org the morning of the event) and re-schedule for a later date.
Blandford, Massachusetts is a small town with a big history. Let’s celebrate it!
Visit us online at www.blandfordhistorical society.org or follow us on Facebook.

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

Knox Trail 250 - Worcester
2026-01-10 09:00 - 17:00
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.
WORCESTER
Saturday, January 31, 2026
AC Hotel by Marriott Worcester
FRAMINGHAM
Sunday, February 8, 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

Henry Knox Trail 250 - Great Barrington
2026-01-10 02:00 - 16:00 | Mahaiwe Theater, Great Barrington, Castle Street 14, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 01230, United States
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
Sunday, February 8, 2026
The Village Hall, Framingham Green
Cambridge
Friday, February 27, 2026
Longfellow House
ROXBURY
Saturday, March 7, 2026
First Church in Roxbury
BOSTON
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Dorchester Heights

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.

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

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 Great Falls Discovery Center
2026-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | 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 Douglas State Forest
2026-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | DCR Douglas State Forest, Wallum Lake Road 107, Douglas, Massachusetts, 01516, 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.
Douglas State Forest
January 1, 2026, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Meeting Location: Wallum Boat Ramp, 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas
GPS: 42.021844, -71.768051
Celebrate the New Year at Douglas State Forest on a First Day Hike! Join DCR and the Blackstone Heritage Corridor for a hike through Wallum Lakes waterfront and nearby trails. We will be exploring the forest, swamps, and converted railroad beds as we see evidence of a forest once booming with industry. Be on the lookout for wildlife as we see evidence of stone quarrying, remnants of ice harvesting, and more! The slow-paced hike will be approximately 2 miles long and will feature wooden bridges, rocky trails, and a very gradual grade. Remember to dress for the weather and wear proper footwear, Leashed dogs are welcome! Join us after the hike for a warming fire and hot chocolate.
Meeting at the Wallum boat ramp located at the end of the park access road 107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA. Space may be limited so please arrive before 12:30 p.m. to register, hike begins at 1:00 p.m. For more information, please call 508-476-7872 or email douglas.forest@state.ma.us

The 250th First Flag Raising on Prospect Hill
2026-01-01 11:30 - 13:00 | Prospect Hill Park, 68 Munroe Street, Somerville, MA, 02143, United States
On, January 1, 1776, George Washington ordered the raising of the “Grand Union Flag” over Prospect Hill.
The First Flag symbolized both the defiance and resolve of the Continental Army as they entered a critical phase of the Siege of Boston. This year’s milestone 250th annivesary expands the traditional military ceremony to better reflect the full diversity of people whose labor, courage and aspirations shaped the Revolution. With participation by militia from Charlestown, Bedford, Rhode Island and more. Sing along to Revolutionary songs and enjoy special appearances by George Washington on horseback, and Black Revolutionary Soldier “Primus Hall” and a reading of Phyllis Wheatley’s Poem, “To His Excellency George Washington” written to Washington only a couple months prior to the flag raising. Hot drinks and pastries will be available.
11:30 am – Join a procession from Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, led by Fife and Drummers and George Washington on his horse
12-1pm – Attend the Flag raising ceremony at Prospect Hill. All are welcome to bring national flags of any stripes, and children will make their own.
