MA250

Special Exhibit: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy
2026-05-06, 2026-05-05, 2026-05-04, 2026-05-03 | How Do You See the World? experience, Massachusetts Avenue 210, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Learn about the revolutionary ideas and historical legacy of Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) — one of the only women to found a worldwide religion — in a temporary exhibit this spring and summer at the Christian Science Plaza celebrating MA250: Mary Baker Eddy and Her Revolutionary Legacy.
This free exhibit is part of the interactive How Do You See the World?® experience, exploring the world through a lens of hope, progress, and generosity. Walk through the three-story, stained glass Mapparium® globe (ticketed) that shows the world as it was in 1935 — from the inside of the world, looking out. You can then explore “Our World: Mapping Progress,” an exhibit featuring stories from The Christian Science Monitor, the Pulitzer Prize-winning international news source headquartered in the building. Learn more about Eddy’s remarkable life and the global church she founded in “Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy.”
This special exhibit will be open through spring and summer 2026 as part of the statewide MA250 celebrations. Tickets for the Mapparium® globe are free for youth under 18, $6 for adults. All other exhibits, including this special exhibit, are free.
Hours of operation:
Monday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The How Do You See the World?® experience is located at 210 Massachusetts Ave. in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay.
For additional information and to buy tickets to the Mapparium® globe, please visit christianscience.com/howdoyouseetheworld

AudaTours Stoneham Audio Tour: Timeless Tales of Historic Pride and Heritage
2026-05-05 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-04 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-03 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-02 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Nobility Hill Historic District, Stoneham, Massachusetts, 02180, United States
In Stoneham, the shadows of colonial fires and twentieth-century neon flicker side by side. Few realize how many secrets linger behind these iconic facades.
This self-guided audio tour leads straight through the city’s untold stories. Encounter corners and chapters that even locals walk past, and let carefully crafted tales reveal what hides beneath the ordinary.
Why did a quiet night at the Bernard Cogan House erupt into controversy that changed a neighborhood? Who vanished beneath the glowing beacon of Stoneham’s eerily beautiful gas station? What explains the perfectly preserved pencil marks under the Warren Sweetser House staircase?
Move between centuries as you cross storied main streets and hidden lanes. Each step peels back another layer of rebellion, ambition, and intrigue, letting Stoneham rise up around you as never before.
Tap play and see how deep Stoneham’s shadows can stretch. The secrets are waiting.

Patriots of Color Exhibition
2026-05-05 10:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 18:00 | Family Heritage Experience, Newbury Street 97, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
Patriots of Color, a new exhibit in the Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors, sheds light on the overlooked histories of Black, Native, and multiracial men and women who fought, labored, and led in the struggle for American independence across all thirteen colonies. Through documents, personal narratives, and digital interactives, the exhibition uncovers the courage and resilience of those whose contributions helped shape a new nation, even as they continued to confront inequality and enslavement.
Bridging past and present, Patriots of Color highlights the voices of descendants who are reclaiming these stories today—connecting revolutionary ideals of freedom and justice to the ongoing pursuit of equality in America.
Entrance to the exhibit is included in admission to the Family Heritage Experience and can be purchased either in person or online.

The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement
2026-05-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-04 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 17:00 | Old State House, 206 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
Explore major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution at the Old State House, where protest turned into action and the momentum for independence accelerated. Created through a partnership between Revolutionary Spaces and the Massachusetts Historical Society, The Road to Revolution: Massachusetts and the Independence Movement invites visitors to step into 1775 and 1776—a moment defined by uncertainty, debate, and decisions that would reshape the world.

Handwriting the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
2026-05-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Boston Public Library: Copley Square Branch, Boylston Street 700, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, visitors are invited to handwrite the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution in the Courtyard of the Central Library, in Copley Square. This program aims to create time and a quiet space to reflect and deepen one’s understanding of these historic documents. All supplies will be provided. Participants will first stop by the supply table to pick up writing supplies and copies of the Constitution and/or Declaration of Independence. Reproductions of John Adams’s personal copy of the Constitution held by Special Collections will also be available to transcribe. This program is self-paced. Patrons are invited to stay for the whole session or simply stay as long as they would like.

1776: Declaring Independence
2026-05-05 09:30 - 16:00, 2026-05-04 09:30 - 16:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Featuring manuscripts, artifacts, and rarely seen treasures, this exhibition captures a monumental moment in American history.
In 1776, people grappled with ideas of liberty, loyalty, and the role of government in society. Private letters, intimate diaries, and newspaper accounts reveal how the Declaration of Independence grew from draft to founding document. 1776: Declaring Independence spotlights handwritten copies of the Declaration by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as well as multiple early printings, including a rare Dunlap broadside. On and off the page, we explore how it echoed across the commonwealth and around the world, reshaping the colonists’ chances of launching a new nation. How did the Declaration change Americans’ quest for liberty, then and now? We invite visitors to trace the Declaration’s complex legacy as a national beacon for celebration and protest.
Check here for closures and more admission information: https://www.masshist.org/visit/hours-and-admission

The Aspirations of Ordinary People - Stories of the American Revolution from a local perspective
2026-05-05 08:00 - 14:00 | North Andover Historical Society, 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover, 01845, United States
The Andover revolutionaries understood that creating a truly free society would take many generations. Their records and artifacts, preserved at the North Andover Historical Society, are here to remind us that history matters. They depict stories of battles won, hardships endured, hometown and battleground heroes, and the start of a long fight for liberty, equality and justice. Their ideals and aspirations are the standards by which we measure our progress today.
Come discover the amazing stories brought to life at the North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) through REV250, a series of programs and exhibits dedicated to the American Revolution.
The exhibit will be open every week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Please check the website for more information.

American Disunion: An Evening with David Blight
2026-05-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Blight for a compelling forum on the evolving meaning of American independence. Drawing on his scholarship on Frederick Douglass, Blight will explore how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have been interpreted and contested over time.
Professor Blight will discuss Frederick Douglass’s 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”. Through Douglass’s words, Blight invites us to reflect on the enduring tensions between liberty and inequality, and to consider whether the nation’s founding promises remain unfulfilled.

Cape Cod Museum of Art: FREE Monday on May 4
2026-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis, MA, 02638, United States
Annually, during the month of May, various museums throughout the Cape Cod Museum Trail are open on a Monday for FREE to visitors. Museum Mondays in May offer visitors no-cost admission to many of the most treasured cultural venues on Cape Cod. Whether you’re a parent or guardian looking for something to do with the kids, a group of friends looking for a new experience or an art or history enthusiast, join in the celebration of local art, history and culture! Find the Cape Cod Museum Trail complete Mondays in May list online here.
View the current exhibitions at the Cape Cod Museum of Art:
Old Yarmouth: Life During the American Revolution
April 9 – July 19, 2026
In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Dennis Historical Commission and the Yarmouth Historical Society are combining resources to present this historically significant exhibition of artifacts, including maps, documents, furniture, fashion and more. A plethora of related programming includes the dedication of the Patriot Monument and lectures by prominent historians and authors.
David Phillips: 57 Years of Sculpture
May 1 – August 16, 2026
​In 57 years, David Phillips has shaped a personal, yet universally resonant, body of work. His bronze, stone, and mixed media sculpture have shown in galleries and museums, and many now live in gardens, woodlands and public spaces across the country and Japan. In his current work, Phillips has forged an artistic language rooted in natural forms and ancient symbols, many drawn from the Cape Cod landscape Phillips calls home.
Through Young Eyes, 22nd Annual Exhibition featuring the artwork of Cape Cod students in grades K-12
March 27 – May 17, 2026
Presented in collaboration with the Cape Cod & Islands Art Educators Association (CCIAEA), this annual exhibition features the artwork of Cape Cod students in grades K-12, in a variety of mediums, curated into this exhibition by art teachers from across the region. Several teachers also have their work on display. Through Young Eyes is sponsored by the Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry.
Cape Cod Open Sculpture Invitational Outside 2026 (CCOSI) on the 22-acre campus of the Cape Cod Center for the Arts.
April 16 – November 14, 2026
The Cape Cod Museum of Art (CCMoA) and the New England Sculptors Association (NESA) invite all 3D artists to submit to our third joint , Juried Sculpture Exhibition on the 22-acre campus of the Cape Cod Center for the Arts (35+ outdoor sites identified). The 2026 theme is open and will be juried by Benton Jones, Director of Art, Cape Cod Museum of Art and Samuel Tager, Executive Director, Provincetown Public Art Foundation. In addition to the outdoor sculpture exhibition, there will be a 15-week indoor exhibition at the CCMoA (25-30 works).

Ben Franklin's Musical Curiosity
2026-05-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Shirley-Eustis House, 33 Shirley Street, Boston, MA, 02119, United States
The award-winning historical performance ensemble Musicians of the Old Post Road presents “Ben Franklin’s Musical Curiosity.” Delve into the fascinating history of Franklin’s musical circles, both at home in America and in Paris at the soirées of composer Anne Brillon de Jouy. Enjoy an alluring bouquet of songs and instrumental works! Program includes songs by Francis Hopkinson, William Hayes, and Brillon de Jouy, a string trio by John Antes, a piano trio by J.C. Bach, a violin sonata by Andre-Noel Pagin, and a work by Franklin himself. The program will also include the regional premiere of an aria from a cantata by Louis-Charles Demignaux that was dedicated to Franklin. With soprano Emily Siar.
For more information and tickets please visit www.oldpostroad.org

250 Years: Music of America - Greater New Bedford Choral Society spring concert on Sunday, May 3rd at 3:30 pm
2026-05-03 15:30 - 17:30 | Grace Episcopal Church, School Street 133, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02740, United States
Join GNBCS for a glorious afternoon of American music in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! This year’s spring concert at the beautiful Grace Episcopal Church will include classical selections such as Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” and Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts,” spirituals and Americana songs such as “Down in the River” and “Oh Susannah,” timeless favorites such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World,” and a few patriotic sing-alongs!
GNBCS is a non-audition SATB choir bringing classical choral music to listeners in southeastern Massachusetts since its founding in 1964. This spring, we are excited to introduce our new artistic director, Brian Dean Sousa. Brian is an experienced musician and educator with a Bachelors Degree in Sacred Music and Organ from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from James Madison University. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Brian Dean Sousa worked as the Organist and Choir Master of Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Charlottesville, Virginia for fourteen years before relocating back to North Dartmouth where he now resides with his family.
Everyone is welcome to sing with GNBCS–no experience is necessary! Our members come from surrounding communities including Westport, Dartmouth, Acushnet, Lakeville, New Bedford, and Fairhaven. We present one winter concert in either December or January and another in the spring. Our concerts typically include one major choral work plus a selection of shorter pieces chosen for the season of the year and are performed in area churches. We have combined with the New Bedford Symphony, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Chorus, and other area choral societies to perform larger works.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Dartmouth Cultural Council, the Freetown Cultural Council, and the Westport Cultural Council, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Visit our website at https://www.gnbcs.org/ for more information or follow us on Facebook.

Daughter of the Regiment
2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:45 | Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boylston Street 106, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, United States
Laughter meets revolutionary spirit in BLO’s staging of Donizetti’s glorious comedy. Inspired by the life of Deborah Sampson, the Massachusetts revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for independence, this production transports us to Revolutionary-era Boston, telling a heartfelt tale of love and loyalty to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. With a new English dialogue by Kirsten Greenidge, it’s a patriotic toast to America at 250—and to the rebels who shaped it.
Voices of Revolution
A Citywide Opera Initiative for America’s 250th
Join Boston Lyric Opera in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary through music and storytelling. Voices of Revolution invites Boston to rediscover the stories of our nation’s beginnings—lifting iconic and overlooked voices to celebrate who we were, reflect on who we are, and imagine who we can become.
This initiative is part of BLO’s 50th Anniversary season and features performances, talks, and community programs across Boston as part of the statewide MA250 commemoration.

Historic Knox Trail Hike, Otis State Forest
2026-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Otis State Forest, Monterey, Massachusetts, 01245, United States
Join local historian Tom Ragusa and DCR staff for a FREE guided hike along the Great Road, “Ye Trodden Path”—or the Knox Trail in Otis State Forest. Meet at the Upper Spectacle Pond Dam on Webb Road in Sandisfield, MA, 1 mile off Cold Spring Road.
In Colonial times, the Great Road connected Springfield and Albany. In the winter of 1776, Henry Knox led his “Noble Train of Artillery” along this route on its way to Boston, helping turn the tide of the American Revolutionary War. Remarkably, portions of the original road still exist today, hidden within the forest.
In celebration of MA250 and Massachusetts Preservation Month come explore a preserved section of the Berkshires’ oldest roads, visiting significant landmarks. Co-sponsored by the Otis Historical Commission.
Program Details: Duration: 3 hours, Distance: 3 miles (moderate difficulty). Recommended for ages teen and up. What to Bring: Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring water, sunscreen, a snack or lunch, and bug spray. Hiking poles are recommended. Dogs are permitted on leash. Reasonable accommodations may be available upon request. For more information, call 413-426-7890.

Yankee Ingenuity
2026-05-03 09:30 - 17:00 | Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA, 01566, United States
Yankee Ingenuity begins this May with a series of weekend programs exploring New England’s long-standing role in shaping American innovation. Throughout the month, local makers, small businesses, and community partners will be featured alongside historical interpretation, illustrating how the region’s economy has long been driven by creativity, skill, and practical problem-solving. Organized around four themes—Eat, Move, Play, and Work— this event connects everyday life from the Revolutionary era through the 1830s to the present, highlighting the businesses and industries that continue to sustain the region today.
Yankee Ingenuity: EAT | May 2 & 3
The first weekend of Yankee Ingenuity begins with EAT. Culinary tradition and food production have long been a foundation of New England life. Amelia Simmons’s American Cookery (1796), America’s first cookbook, will be brought to life on hearths similar to those used in her era. Guests will witness the recipes and techniques that defined early American cooking, featuring distinctly regional ingredients like cornmeal, pumpkin, and cranberries that set American cuisine apart from its European roots.
Yankee Ingenuity: MOVE | May 9 & 10
The challenge of transporting people, goods, and equipment has been an area of constant innovation in New England. From the ox to the horse, from the canal boat to the railroad, each advancement shaped how commerce flowed and communities connected. Discover how the region’s geography and economic needs drove creative solutions to the age-old problem of movement, transforming local trade into networks that reached across the nation.
Yankee Ingenuity: PLAY | May 23 – 25
All work and no play was not the case for New Englanders, who brought the same ingenuity to leisure as they did to labor. From hand-crafted games and intricate puzzles to folk crafts and outdoor pastimes, residents found creative ways to fill their free hours. These diversions weren’t just entertainment, they reflected the values, skills, and social bonds that knit communities together during an era of rapid change and growth.
Yankee Ingenuity: WORK | May 30 & 31
Like most of America, during formative years of the country, New England was starved for workers, which led to groundbreaking innovation and mechanization. The Industrial Revolution can claim a large part of its American origins right here in New England, where water-powered mills, interchangeable parts, and factory systems transformed how goods were made. This drive to do more with less labor didn’t just change the economy, it reshaped the landscape, the workforce, and the very nature of American work.

Ben Franklin's Musical Curiosity
2026-05-02 16:00 - 17:30 | Museum of Worcester, Elm Street 30, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01609, United States

God of Our Fathers: Mighty Miracles of the American Revolution
2026-05-02 15:30 - 16:30 | Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Southern Eagle Cartway 95, Brewster, Massachusetts, 02631, United States
The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, Presented by Mark Beliles, The raid on Fort Ticonderoga took place in the early morning on May 10, 1775. As the Colonists in Boston, under siege, needed the munitions there, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold and the New England militia breeched the fort at dawn and demanded surrender from Captain William DeLaPlace. He gave up his sword and the fort and the munitions to the rebels and not a single life was lost. Free admission for all! Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org

Scottish Prisoners of War in Reading and Beyond During the American Revolution
2026-05-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Reading Public Library, Middlesex Avenue 64, Reading, Massachusetts, 01867, United States
Join the Reading Public Library and Reading Antiquarian Society as Chris Hall presents his talk on Scottish Prisoners of War in Reading and Beyond During the American Revolution.
In June 1776, the 71st Regiment of Foot, British Army soldiers from the highlands of Scotland, were captured by American privateers in Boston Harbor. The regiment, along with their families, servants, and families of their servants, were imprisoned and paroled across Massachusetts. The Lieutenant Colonel of this regiment, Archibald Campbell, was paroled at the Parker Tavern in Reading, and his Officers were paroled in an encampment nearby. This talk will investigate the contextual wartime dynamic during which this regiment was kept as prisoners of war, and the effect it had on Patriots, Loyalists, and everyday people in Reading, and across Massachusetts.
The program will begin at 1:30, but come early to mingle with other history buffs!
The talk will be given by Christopher Hall, the caretaker at Parker Tavern. He also works in other capacities for the National Park Service as a historical interpreter in Boston.

Liberty Pole Day
2026-05-02 12:00 - 16:00 | Alden House Historic Site, Alden Street 105, Duxbury, MA, 02332, United States
The American Revolution comes to life during this year’s Liberty Pole Day reenactment featuring Col. Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment and the Middlesex County 4‑H Fife & Drum Corps. The program honors America’s 250th with a tribute to the Alden House’s role in the Revolution. Visitors are invited to step back in time to explore a military encampment, enjoy lively fife and drum music, experience living‑history demonstrations, and watch a reenactment of Duxbury’s dramatic 1775 Council of War.
This event is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. Liberty Pole Day is part of the community‑wide Out to See Duxbury celebration, which highlights the town’s educational and cultural heritage. For more information, please visit alden.org.

Sudbury Witness House Tour
2026-05-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Sudbury History Center and Museum, Old Sudbury Road 288, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776, United States
In celebration of America250, the Sudbury Historical Society (SHS) will proudly present the Sudbury Witness House Tour on Saturday, May 2nd!
Experience some of the oldest homes in Sudbury that witnessed 1776: the momentous year of the ratification of the United States Declaration of Independence and one that recalls the town spirit in Sudbury through its famous 01776 zip code.
The Sudbury Witness House Tour will begin at the first stop: the Loring Parsonage. The home was built for Reverend Israel Loring (1682-1772), stood through the American Revolution, and is now the home of the Sudbury History Center and Museum. There, attendees will receive their tour booklet and begin their journey to a group of impressive Witness Houses—homes that have been in Sudbury since 1776 or earlier—that are now private residences for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
To secure your spot for this amazing event at the early-bird rate, visit our Eventbrite page for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sudbury-witness-house-tour-tickets-1981435202028
