MA250

Concord250 Concord Orchestra: “American Heritage”
2025-03-29 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Walden Street 51, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
March 29 – March 30
(All Day Event)
Saturday March 29, 2025 8 PM (7:15 PM pre-concert conductor talk)
Sunday March 30, 2025, 2:30 PM
Past, Present, Encore!
We are delighted to embark on our second season with Music Director Zeke Fetrow and invite you to join us for a fascinating 2024-2025 season showcasing beloved masterpieces from the classical repertoire, rediscovered gems, and exciting contemporary works. We explore music from the era of Mozart and Beethoven to that of living composers Beal, Kurth, Marquez, and Tarrodi.
We welcome back guest conductor Alyssa Wang in a program featuring Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites and cello soloist Aron Zelkowicz.
In March 2025 we will present American Heritage concerts as part of Concord’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, featuring Concord native Richard Sebring, principal French horn with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a new work we’ve commissioned by composer Jeff Beal for the occasion.
We look forward to seeing you this season! Bring the whole family; youth attendance is free.
Visit our website for details on how to subscribe and to learn more about the programs, soloists, and guest conductor. If you missed our performance of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture last season (or just want to hear it again), click here to watch a clip.
March 29 and 30, 2025 • American Heritage
Bernstein: Candide Overture
Beal: Commission Celebrating Concord 250
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 3 – Richard Sebring, French horn
Sebring: The White Cockade – Richard Sebring, French horn
Sousa: A Sousa Surprise!
Price: Symphony No. 3
Concord Orchestra
www.concordorchestra.com
P.O. Box 381, Concord, MA 01742
(978) 369-4967
All concerts at:
51 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Acton-Boxborough, Bedford , Carlisle, and Concord local cultural councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency

Concord250 Event: Concord Orchestra performance "American Heritage"
2025-03-29 19:00 - 22:00 | 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Walden Street 51, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration. Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff Beal, commissioned by the orchestra for the celebration! Jeff Beal, the composer of the new work, is an Emmy-winning composer of soundtracks for films and television.
Other American compositions on the program are Florence Price’s brilliant Symphony No. 3, Leonard Bernstein’s festive Candide Overture, and The Liberty Bell March by John Phillip Sousa.
We look forward to performing with Richard Sebring, principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 and his own short work composed for the occasion, The White Cockade. Richard Sebring remarks, “It’s always a great pleasure to make music with my friends in the Concord Orchestra, especially in 51 Walden, the site of many artistic experiences in my youth. And I look forward to collaborating with Zeke Fetrow, who will bring unbridled energy to these performances.”
Florence Price, a 1906 graduate of New England Conservatory, was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Her expressive Symphony No. 3 , written in 1938 and 1939, includes melodies inspired by spirituals and a dance called a juba that was brought to the southern United States by African slaves. Its premiere was in 1940, but it was neglected until it was performed again in 2001. It remained unpublished until 2008, and it was not until recently that it was re-discovered and played more frequently.
Dr. Sam Woodhead, trombone soloist of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band, will lead a workshop on Sousa performance for musicians in the orchestra. Pre-concert discussions by Zeke Fetrow and other musicians involved in the performance are planned for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com
“The Shot Heard Round the World”, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Domenick D’Andrea, Courtesy the National Guard Bureau

Louisa May Alcott and the Journey to Universal Enfranchisement
2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Concord Town House, Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742, United States
Meet at the Concord Town House to celebrate an auspicious moment in our history: March 29th marks 145 years to the day that Louisa May Alcott, famed authoress of Little Women and hundreds of other literary works, became the first woman of Concord to cast a vote in a Town election!
Join in the excitement within the very room in the Town House where voting took place, support the brave band of 19 other women who also voted for School Committee on that triumphant day, and revel in the newfound empowerment these women achieved by actively participating in democracy as never before!
Leading the march to the ballot box will be Jan Turnquist – Executive Director of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, world-renowned Living History portrayer of Miss Alcott, and a Concord resident – who will also speak to and lead a discussion of the meaning of enfranchisement for Concord residents then and now. Also participating in the voting re-enactment will be Concord’s own Joe Palumbo, portraying Judge Hoar — and hopefully you, too!
This event, which is dedicated to the ideals of liberty, personal agency, and universal suffrage, is free and open to all. Light refreshments served.

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.

Timeline to Independence - Marlborough, MA Rotating Exhibit
2025-03-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-27 10:00 - 19:00 | 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

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.

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.

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.

REBELS at SEA: PRIVATEERING in the AMERICAN REVOLUTION Lecture and book signing by Eric Jay Dolin
2025-03-27 18:30 - 19:30
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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
