Across the State of Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and much more. Bookmark this page to join events and celebrations statewide.
April 4 to May 31, 2025 Public Art: Commemorative Banners and Audio Tour Arlington Center, outside along Mass Avenue People, Plants & Revolution is the theme for a series of colorful banners and an audio tour commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Arlington, MA. Organized by ArtsArlington, the banners portray the landscape […]
Exhibition: April 14 - June 14, 2025 Opening Reception April 14, 6 p.m. The Umbrella Arts Center in historic Concord Center will commemorate the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution and “the shot heard round the world” with an ambitious outdoor/indoor public and gallery art exhibition, Weaving an Address, curated by artist Marla McLeod. For the […]
Uncover the story of the Battle of Chelsea Creek — the second naval engagement of the American Revolution and the first victory for the colonists — by joining us for an informative and scenic boat tour along Chelsea Creek, Mystic River, and Boston Harbor this Memorial Day. We'll explore the rich history and cultural significance […]
Join Hub Town Tours as we commemorate the anniversary of the departure of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in 1863. The first Black regiment from the North departed Boston under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw after a parade through Boston attended by thousands of local residents. This 2.5-hour walking tour will explore sites […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
On May 31, 1778, the little town of Fall River (then still Freetown) witnessed its only military action of the American Revolution at the mouth of the Quequechan River. On Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, you are invited to Fall River Heritage State Park to commemorate the 247th anniversary of the Battle of […]
Join curators at Lexington History Museums and the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library to learn more about Lexington’s role in the American Revolution. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. at Buckman Tavern with a tour of “Swept Up in Revolution” with Jesse Hilton, Curator, Lexington History Museums. The event continues at 11:00 AM at […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
For the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum is preparing to tell the story of "Manchester, The Revolution, and The War at Sea," and the opening day on Saturday, May 31, will specially feature living history with the Ladies Association of Revolutionary America interpreting Manchester in 1775. The exhibit intends to […]
In celebration of the town of Concord’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to join us for an art-making extravaganza! This June, artists can register and pick up a free wood panel (8 x 8 inches) from Concord Art to create an image of Concord, whatever that may mean to you. Perhaps there is a certain road or field […]
Back by popular demand, this encore virtual tour of the Congregational Library & Archives’ new in-person exhibition, Sacred Rebellion, will be hosted by Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts and New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and Sacred Rebellion curator Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American Revolution began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological […]
Join Hub Town Tours for a special celebration of the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. We will explore the captivating stories of Bostonians that followed in the footsteps of Revolutionary women like Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley, and assembled the Women's Suffrage Movement. […]
"In Support of the Common Cause” ~ The Merrimack Valley Goes to War A talk by historian and author Alex Cain Thursday, June 5, 2025, ~ 6:00-7:30pm The History Center at 97 Main Street In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress directed towns across the colony to prepare for imminent conflict with England. In response, […]
Historians from the United States and United Kingdom will engage in a facilitated discussion reflecting on the Battle of Bunker Hill. Together, Authors Nathaniel Philbrick and Emma Hart will consider the lasting impacts of the battle on the Revolutionary War, its memory, and legacy from two nations’ perspectives. Moderator: Dr. Brooke Barbier Hosts: Bunker Hill […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
The Museum of Old Newbury invites you to enjoy this year's Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 & 8, 2025. This year's theme is Revolutionary Gardens, an homage to innovative and original elements in our featured gardens! You'll enjoy access to the best we have to offer, from urban pocket gardens to larger, […]
Andy Volpe will print some of his Paul Revere replica copperplates, including his latest 250th commemorative print project: 3 Promissory Notes (paper money) that Revere secretly engraved & printed for the Massachusetts patriots in May 1775. He plans on having some other prints, plates, tools and other visuals to discuss the work of Revere leading […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
Talented fiber artist, Zoe Lawson, demonstrates the art of creating cloth by hand and simple machines. Practice weaving on the small looms provided.
The Bunker Hill flag will be raised at the Monument followed by a speaking ceremony to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of Charlestown veterans. Coffee and treats will be served. Invited Guests: Bunker Hill Parade Chief Marshal James Chambers + General Ralph Rizzo Hosts: The National Parks of Boston, Bunker Hill Associates
"Spies Among Us" will open on Thursday, February 6th at 10 a.m. during the museum’s first Thursday opening hours. We will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 6th and will be open every Thursday going forward from 10-4. We will also showcase the exhibit during our February Second Sunday Open House […]
Join the City of Boston Archaeology and American Veterans Archaeological Recovery teams as they excavate a portion of the redoubt built on the night of June 16, 1775, triggering the start of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Excavations should reach the bottom of the trench dug that evening by the end of the first week. […]
It’s been said that history is written by the victors, so it’s not surprising that the story of those loyal to the Crown in the American colonies is not as widely known as that of the Patriots. As the drumbeat to independence grew louder, Loyalists faced their Patriot neighbors’ scorn and also the agonizing decision […]
Major General Joseph Warren's death at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, secured his legacy as a revolutionary war hero. Lesser known is his role as an advocate for organized healthcare for the poor and needy. Both he and his brother John advanced American medicine during the Revolutionary and Early Republic eras. […]
It’s been said that history is written by the victors, so it’s not surprising that the story of those loyal to the Crown in the American colonies is not as widely known as that of the Patriots. As the drumbeat to independence grew louder, Loyalists faced their Patriot neighbors’ scorn and also the agonizing decision […]
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum commemorates the anniversary of the American Revolution with an outdoors concert series of period and revolution-inspired music, The Revolution in Concert, held in the Museum's sunken garden. Tim Eriksen, leader in the “shape-note” tradition, experimentalist and ethnomusicologist, opens the series on June 11th at 6:30pm, with traditional ballads from the Appalachians to […]
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will hold a naturalization ceremony at the Bunker Hill Monument. Two hundred-fifty new citizen candidates will be sworn in and receive a Passport to their National Parks. New citizens will be invited to plant the first flags of the Flag Garden. The Monument will be closed for the morning […]
Lexington Strings will present a recital of music contemporary to the April 19, 1775 skirmish on the Lexington Battle Green. The performance will take place at Estabrook Auditorium in the Cary Memorial Building. The concert program includes: • Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in G major for Solo Violin, Strings and Continuo, Op. 3 “L’Estro Armonico”, No. […]
More than 1,500 flags (American and British) will be placed in the Flag Garden. Hosts: The National Parks of Boston
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
Join the National Park Service at Adams National Historical Park on Saturday, June 14, for a special event following the footsteps of the Adams family as they witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill 250 years ago during the American Revolution. This event will be held at the Adams Farm at Penn's Hill (John Adams and […]
Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native, for a Sunday morning stroll through downtown Newburyport. Visit the homes of Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, who fought at Fort Ticonderoga and Battle of Valcour, Captain Benjamin Perkins, who fought at Bunker Hill. Stand where the Declaration of Independance was read for the first […]
Explore four of Marblehead’s finest privately-owned homes, once owned by Marblehead's Revolutionary heroes. These homes were occupied by families who put their lives on the line to fight for independence and the establishment of the fledgling country. During this self-guided house tour, guests may set their own pace as they walk the streets of downtown […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
Join us for an exploration of the people who shaped Newbury's Revolution! Newbury's First Parish Burying Ground is the final resting place for dozens of local families who experienced the American Revolution as soldiers, sailors, and citizens. Come meet them and hear their stories as part of Newburyport's Road to Revolution series!
This is a hybrid event. FREE for MHS Members. $10 per person fee (in person). No charge for virtual attendees or Card to Culture participants (EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare). The in-person reception starts at 5:00 and the program will begin at 6:00. The American Revolution had a profound impact on families, with some ideas and […]
Join Hub Town Tours as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill! We will explore the military conflict between Provincial forces and the British troops under siege in Boston in 1775, and place the battle in the broader context of the beginning of the American Revolution. This 2.5-hour walking tour will […]
The National Parks of Boston, American Legion J.W. Conway Bunker Hill Post 26, and Bunker Hill Monument Association will host this ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. This event will be held on the grounds of the Monument and will feature local, national, and international figures.
Echoes of Valor Hosted by the Bunker Hill Monument Association Echoes of Valor is a commemorative concert honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the founding of the United States Army, and the service of America’s veterans. The evening features a performance by the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, […]
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum commemorates the anniversary of the American Revolution with an outdoor concert series of period and revolutionary music, The Revolution in Concert, held in the Museum's sunken garden. Thea Hopkins, acclaimed singer songwriter and member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Martha's Vineyard, performs modern “Red Roots Americana,” capturing the scope and reach […]
Join us for Newburyport's Road to Revolution Part VI - Bunker Hill: Heroes and Cowards! In this closing lecture of the Newburyport's Road to Revolution series, join historian and author Alexander Cain for an exploration of the first engagement in which Newbury(port) troops play a significant role - for good or ill. While some local […]
Join Hub Town Tours on Juneteenth for a special Underground Railroad Tour of Beacon Hill. We will explore Boston’s role in the fight to end legalized slavery and celebrate local abolitionists that helped to lead America’s “Second Revolution.” This 2.5-hour walking tour will visit sites along the Black Heritage Trail, including abolitionist landmarks like the […]
Performances: June 20 – 22, 2025 A Special Presentation as our part of Concord 250 Get Tickets Now Learn More and View the Cast Meet Our Director Directed by Jamie Cook Music Direction by Ben Oehlkers Step into the world of Songs for a New World, the first musical by Tony Award winner Jason Robert […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
The 250th Anniversary Reenactment of The Battle of Bunker Hill aims to accurately portray the events and faithfully represent the people involved in the conflict of June 17, 1775. Our mission is to celebrate and commemorate the actions and sacrifices of the men and women of all sides of the Battle of Bunker Hill through […]
This free, family-friendly extravaganza features literary tours of Harvard Square, treats, live music, and special book-themed promotions in our businesses. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, City and state officials launched the Massachusetts 2050 campaign in September 2024. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Massachusetts 250 (or MA250) will commemorate the many battles across […]
The Congregational Library & Archives presents a new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The exhibition highlights the stories of Massachusetts Congregationalists drawn from the CLA’s important collections. By the time the war began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that […]
The 250th Anniversary Reenactment of The Battle of Bunker Hill aims to accurately portray the events and faithfully represent the people involved in the conflict of June 17, 1775. Our mission is to celebrate and commemorate the actions and sacrifices of the men and women of all sides of the Battle of Bunker Hill through […]
Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street 250 years ago, their descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This free, all-ages event is marking its fourth year in 2025! Denise Washington (#Pop-Up Poetry Series), a descendant of Darby Vassall, has curated […]
Please join the Acton 250 Committee for its next speaking event featuring historian and author Don N. Hagist on Monday, June 23 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in The Acton Memorial Library’s Meeting Room, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA. Don will share lesser-known narratives from the Revolutionary Era, including the lives of British soldiers who […]
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum commemorates the anniversary of the American Revolution with an outdoor concert series of period and revolutionary music, The Revolution in Concert, held in the Museum's sunken garden. Evelyn Harris and Yasmeen Williams, powerhouse vocalists and founding members of Sweet Honey In The Rock, with pianist Ailey Verdelle, comprise the 13th Horace Clarence […]
As part of the Revolution 250 series of events happening throughout 2025 and 2026, the Bidwell House Museum is excited to partner with The Berkshire County Historical Society at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead to present a concert of music from the Revolution. You can see this concert at Arrowhead on June 25th, the day before our […]
Join us on Thursday, June 26th at 5 PM for a special post-work tour of The Innovation Trail, supported by the City of Cambridge and MA 250. Cambridge’s Kendall Square area has long been a hub of innovation, decades before the Massachusetts Institute of Technology moved there in 1916, and centuries before the square became […]
Living History Comes Alive on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the “Akin Farmstead” at 762 Dartmouth Street in Dartmouth, MA. This two-day event sponsored by the Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc. (DHPT) will include a militia encampment on site to re-enact Revolutionary War activities in old Dartmouth. Additionally, DHPT's popular seasonal […]
After years of tension between Great Britain and its North American colonies, the events of April 19, 1775 broke long-held bonds and ignited the American Revolutionary War. In an unprecedented moment, ordinary people in Lexington made extraordinary choices. An entire community—women, men, black, white, young, old, enslaved, and free—helped spark a revolution. Today, 250 years […]
Gary Gregory, proprietor of the Printing Office of Edes & Gill, will talk about the role of the printing press in the American Revolution. Printed pamphlets, broadsides, and newspapers energized the revolution, and it was the printing press that produced the Declaration of Independence. Gary will use his replica of an English Common Press, a […]
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum presents Forty Acres & The American Revolution; Stories of Independence & Servitude, a public talk with three leading scholars: Friederike Baer, a historian of 18th-century Hessian soldiers, Marge Bruchac, a scholar of local Indigenous histories, and Charmaine Nelson, director of the Slavery North project at the University of Massachusetts. Together, these scholars […]
Join Bethany Groff Dorau for a fascinating journey through history as we explore the Sawyer Hill Burying Ground. Discover the stories of the men and women who played a vital role in the Revolutionary War. Sawyer Hill Burying Ground has been the final resting place for many of the Newburys’ dearly departed since 1695. The […]
Martha’s Vineyard: A Revolutionary War Refuge Martha’s Vineyard, known for its whaling heritage and maritime culture, played a unique and often overlooked role in the Revolutionary War. As a fiercely independent community it was both a refuge and a target, caught between British occupation on the mainland and the growing struggle for American independence. Join […]
Martha’s Vineyard: A Revolutionary War Refuge Martha’s Vineyard, known for its whaling heritage and maritime culture, played a unique and often overlooked role in the Revolutionary War. As a fiercely independent community it was both a refuge and a target, caught between British occupation on the mainland and the growing struggle for American independence. Join […]
Martha’s Vineyard: A Revolutionary War Refuge Martha’s Vineyard, known for its whaling heritage and maritime culture, played a unique and often overlooked role in the Revolutionary War. As a fiercely independent community it was both a refuge and a target, caught between British occupation on the mainland and the growing struggle for American independence. Join […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
Join local historian Joyce Poremski of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society for a guided walk through downtown Plymouth, exploring the town’s Revolutionary War history, key sites, and the impact of the war on its citizens.
1. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Massachusetts’ biggest Independence Day Celebration takes place at Boston’s Charles River Esplanade. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a must-see event if you live near the city. This year’s celebration features music by LeAnn Rimes, Leslie Odom, Jr and Bell Bi DeVoe and the spectacular Boston Pops. BSO https://www.bso.org/boston-pops-fireworks-spectacular 2. […]
Martha’s Vineyard: A Revolutionary War Refuge Martha’s Vineyard, known for its whaling heritage and maritime culture, played a unique and often overlooked role in the Revolutionary War. As a fiercely independent community it was both a refuge and a target, caught between British occupation on the mainland and the growing struggle for American independence. Join […]
In collaboration with The Guthrie Center, Norman Rockwell Museum will celebrate American independence and democracy with a day of programming. Listen to a public recitation of the Declaration of Independence read by Berkshire County community leaders and residents. Enjoy live music from folk singer Doug Mishkin and Annie and Abe Guthrie. Experience Norman Rockwell's iconic […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
Celebrate July 4th with music by Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and special guest stars. 2025 marks the 51st year of the Fireworks Spectacular and Lockhart’s 30th anniversary as Pops conductor. Gates to the Oval lawn in front of the Hatch Shell open at 12 noon, concert begins at 7 pm, and fireworks over […]
Martha’s Vineyard: A Revolutionary War Refuge Martha’s Vineyard, known for its whaling heritage and maritime culture, played a unique and often overlooked role in the Revolutionary War. As a fiercely independent community it was both a refuge and a target, caught between British occupation on the mainland and the growing struggle for American independence. Join […]
Explore the people, ideas, and questions that shaped General George Washington’s first revolutionary headquarters 250 years ago this July. Choose your path through this free, all-ages event featuring historic house and outdoor walking tours with J.L. Bell; family activities; talks by historians; living historians portraying George Washington, William Lee, and Martha Washington; Cambridge Open Archives, […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum announce their continuing partnership in a free public tour series of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill for the 2025 season. Each first Saturday of the month a thematic tour of the ancient burying ground will reveal facets of Plymouth’s evolving story over generations. This year honors the 250th […]
Everyone knows Salem for the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, but did you know that Salem made significant contributions to the American Revolution? The shot heard round the world almost happened in Salem, the town was known for its Privateers (legal Pirates) who were the most successful against the British Navy and British military governor General Thomas […]
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