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.
USS Constitution Museum A Celebration of Ship Modeling and 250 Years of Naval Heritage. Presented by the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, Masters of Miniature showcases the intricate and spectacular handcrafted Ship models from modelers across New England. From ninth-century ships to pleasure craft of today and everything in between, the show includes exquisite, handcrafted […]
Paul Revere’s legacy has been both elevated and obscured by his now famous ride, 250 years ago on April 18, 1775. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s dramatic poem replaced what actually happened with a much beloved romantic version. Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and Robert Martello, Professor of the History of Science and […]
The Acton 250 Committee presents Acton’s celebrated historians Anne Forbes, Bill Klauer and Bob Pion who will discuss recent learnings of Acton’s Black residents in honor African American History Month. Black citizens were among the residents here when Acton first became a Town in 1735, and several fought in the Revolution at the Concord Bridge […]
The American Revolution began in New England. 250 years ago, the people who settled in what is now Massachusetts resisted attempts to deny them their rights as British citizens. What happened as a result of this struggle changed the world. As part of Marlborough Revolution 250, come learn about the events that led to the […]
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 […]
This program is presented by the National Park Service and Boston Harbor Now as a part of our three-part Revolutionary Harbor lecture series. This lecture is the first of the series. In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill’s strategic location along on a small peninsula of land at the convergence […]
Historian J.L. Bell will tell the thrilling story of Leslie's Retreat, the first armed resistance to the British crown, and its connections to Marblehead. On Sunday, February 26, 1775, about 250 British soldiers marched through Marblehead, sent by the royal governor to search for weapons. When that column of redcoats stalled at a drawbridge in […]
For MA250 The Umbrella has programmed two events – a stage company production and an exhibit – to celebrate and amplify voices that have not historically been a part of the revolution story…which is in line with the celebration goals of the 250 plans. An indigenous theatre-maker journeys across geographic borders, personal history, and Cultural […]
“Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness” features photographic work by Scott Strong Hawk Foster that celebrates the rich, diverse, and resilient cultures of the Native Peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America. FEBRUARY 28- MARCH 23 Foster is a Native American photographer and an enrolled member of Hassanamisco Nipmuc […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Concord-Carlisle High School & Lexington High School Bands present 250th Celebration Concert; working title: Sound Revolutions Including world premieres of new works commissioned to commemorate this historic occasion CCHS Auditorium, March 4th, 7pm Details coming soon
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, this special dinner delves into the storied past of distilled spirits and the intersection of Boston’s history, craftsmanship and celebration! […]
The Inn at Hastings Park, Boston area's only Relais & Chateaux property located in historic Lexington, MA is in the revolutionary spirit! To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, this special dinner delves into the storied past of distilled spirits and the intersection of Boston’s history, craftsmanship and celebration! […]
Nationally renowned sculptor Meredith Bergmann, an Acton resident, has created inspiring monuments to great Americans: FDR, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, and many more. Her artistic process includes learning about each figure as she creates each bronze statue. Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753 – December 5, 1784), whose bronze statue appears in the Boston […]
In October 1774, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress ordered the towns across the colony to prepare for war with England. In response, Essex County entered a wartime phase that included creating minute-man companies, stockpiling arms, ammunition, and equipment, and establishing a defense network ready to mobilize if the redcoats marched from Boston into the countryside. Join […]
"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 […]
Concord Chamber Music Society Presents: Wendy Putnam, violin & Vytas Baksys, piano March 9, 2025, 3pm, at Lexington’s Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Tickets available to purchase beginning August 5, 2024: concordchambermusic.org/putnam-baksys Description: An intriguing program of works by American composers that includes a tribute to the American Revolution with Vieuxtemps’ Souvenir d’Amerique – […]
In January 1773, Massachusetts slaves submitted the first of four petitions that decade to the legislature of the colony requesting their release from bondage. Around the same time writers such as Phillis Wheatley and Caesar Sarter began to attack both slavery and the slave trade in print. Many scholars have discussed these individual writers and […]
The producers of From Sea to Shining Sea: Katharine Lee Bates and The Story of America the Beautiful are pleased to announce a Premiere screening of the film on March 13, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Falmouth Public Library. Writer and Director, John de Graaf, Bates’s biographer Melinda Ponder, and local author Leonard Miele will […]
Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. Without the ability to vote or to own property, Deborah […]
The Carlisle Colonial Faire will be held at the First Religious Society's Union Hall (27 School Street) on March 15th. The event will feature a minutemen muster re-enactment on the town common, as well as colonial themed demonstrations and handmade colonial style crafts by local artisans. The Historical Society will also be displaying several unique […]
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds Historic Newton celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Join us in exploring what life was like in 18th-century New England. Reenactors will scatter the museum exhibits and grounds to create an immersive experience of revolutionary life. Guests can participate in hands-on period-specific activities and listen to reenactors debate politics, […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Parish Hall, First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Road, Concord Description: 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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join us for the book launch of the Concord Museum’s publication Eyewitness to Revolution: The American Revolution Collection at the Concord Museum. Written by David Wood, the book tells the story of the Revolution through the Museum’s unparalleled collection of objects related to the early days of the American Revolution. David will be joined in […]
Exhibition: Liberation Textiles: Our Social Fabric, April 3 - May 11 in the Main Gallery, curated by Elizabeth Thach and Camilø Álvårez Curators Tour Thursday April 3 at 5 PM (opening reception starts at 5:30 PM that evening) Artist Demo: A Sense of Touch – Tapestry Weaving with Sam Fields Wednesday, April 16th, 10:30 AM […]
Join us on Thursday April 3rd at 5:30pm for the opening reception of our upcoming exhibition, " Liberation Textiles: Our Social Fabric, " curated by Elizabeth Thach and Camilø Álvårez. The show is centered around themes of individual freedom and primarily features fiber-based visual art. Programming for the exhibition also includes a Curators Tour on Thursday April […]
Make plans to join us at 14 Beacon to celebrate the opening of our new in-person exhibition, "Sacred Rebellion: Congregationalists in Revolutionary Massachusetts." The evening will feature an opportunity to visit the exhibition and curator’s comments from New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and "Sacred Rebellion" curator, Dr. Tricia Peone. By the time the American […]
Join Hub Town Tours for a special celebration of Abigail Adams's 1776 letter to John Adams, imploring the Continental Congress to include protections for women's rights as they created a new nation. We will explore the captivating stories of Bostonians that followed in the footsteps of Revolutionary women like Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley, and […]
Huzzah! Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" with a revolutionary tour. In this 55-minute guided walk, you'll see surviving homes from the 1700s and discover how ordinary Hinghamites survived the tumultuous years before, during, and after the American Revolution. This tour is perfect for history lovers of all ages!
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 […]
Arlington 250 Kickoff Party at the Capitol A day of family fun, history, and entertainment in celebration of the American Revolution In honor of Arlington's rich historical significance and its pivotal role in the American Revolution, join us for a day filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment. This festive and free event will take place […]
Groton Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary! Take a walk back in time and discover Groton's contribution to America's independence, and the battles in Concord, MA, and Boston's Bunker Hill.
Rev250 Lecture: Dr. Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor, Harvard University presents "The Declaration of Independence: A Guide for our Times" as part of the Hingham Historical Society 2024-2025 lecture series: Revisiting the American Revolution. The series is an in-depth and expanded look at our Nation's founding drama; the series features renowned historians and […]
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