Massachusetts launches initiative to promote American Revolution anniversary Ashley Shook — WWLP

State leaders launch Massachusetts 250, an initiative to promote the history of the Revolutionary War.

BOSTON (WWLP) – State leaders launch Massachusetts 250, an initiative to promote the history of the Revolutionary War.

On Tuesday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Mayor Michelle Wu, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts 250 Commission Co-chairs State Senator Paul Mark and State Representative Mindy Domb, and state and local officials will kick off the event outside the Boston State House.

Massachusetts was one of the original U.S. colonies and has made history by being the state with many “firsts’, such as the first ride of the revolution. Massachusetts 250 recognizes that Massachusetts not only was the first to start to have the first public park but also the first institution of higher learning, Harvard University, and the first to recognize marriage equality.

The event begins at 11 a.m. with a new Massachusetts 250 banner hung, a ride with Paul Revere and other historical reenactors, and a fife and drum corps. 22News State House Reporter Olivia Ray is covering the event and will be streamed live on WWLP.com.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, awarded $1.5 million to organizations across the state to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

OrganizationCommunity Grant Amount Description1BerkshirePittsfield $7,500Marketing the Berkshires250 website, a clearinghouse of events and programming.Boston 4 FoundationBoston $60,000Promoting the Boston Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks spectacular in 2025.Carlisle Historical SocietyCarlisle $10,000Series of public events to encourage tourists to discover the rich colonial history of Carlisle.Charlestown Historical SocietyBoston $50,000The “Brothers of the Battle” program will shine a light on the hundreds of stories of the men who fought at Bunker Hill that have not been told before now.City of CambridgeCambridge $65,000Showcasing Cambridge’s role in Massachusetts’ revolutionary history, including tours, a parade, and a dance party.City of ChelseaChelsea $50,000“Chelsea: The Forgotten Story of the Battle of the Creek” is an initiative that promotes Chelsea to tourists as an unconventional, unexplored historical destination through programming and a bilingual, digital marketing campaign.City of Fall RiverFall River $15,000Partnering with the Lafayette-Durfee House to bolster its capacity ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence via hands-on youth programming.City of SalemSalem $5,000Showcasing the 250th anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat through a reenactment and other historical programming.Congregational Library & ArchivesBoston $50,000New exhibition featuring treasures from its collections including objects associated with Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Phillis Wheatley.Essex National Heritage, Inc.Salem $60,000Reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill on the 250th anniversary, with school programs and talks in the lead up to the event in June.Explore New BedfordNew Bedford $65,000Expand the “See-Worthy” tagline to spotlight revolutionary places, monuments, ideas, and art that embody New Bedford’s diverse culture, innovation, and creativity.Framingham History CenterFramingham $7,500The “Stitching Revolution in Massachusetts: Quilting and Cotillions,” an immersive two-day event.Freedom Trail FoundationBoston $75,000The 250th Marketing Project will create excitement for visitation to Massachusetts and Boston.Freedom’s Way Heritage AssociationDevens $17,500Designing and disseminating marketing materials including a six-page fold-out itinerary map titled “A Monumental Road Trip–Discovering the Past Through Monuments and Memorials”.Friends of Doherty ParkBoston $10,000Creation of a Paul Revere Lego mosaic in coordination with the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club to be unveiled at the Battle of Bunker Hill Day Parade.Hingham Historical SocietyHingham $30,000“Revisiting the American Revolution: Hingham 1775-1777” will give a snapshot of Hingham’s response to the Revolution.Historic New EnglandHaverhill $25,000Marketing campaign and programming emphasizing the revolutionary themes and programs to be experienced at Historic New England’s 22 Massachusetts Properties.Lexington Historical SocietyLexington $10,000A reenactment of Paul Revere’s arrival at the Hancock-Clarke House to alert John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the impending arrival of British Regulars.Massachusetts Historical SocietyBoston $75,000Programs, events, educational initiatives, and a scholarly conference.Museum of African American HistoryBoston and Nantucket $75,000“Black Voices of the Revolution,” a digital exhibition enhanced by previously unseen objects and AI features.Museum of Old NewburyNewburyport $65,000Newburyport’s “Road to Revolution” will explore the events and decisions that led to Newburyport’s early support of the revolutionary cause.North of Boston Convention and Visitors BureauSalisbury $32,000Marketing videos featuring man-on-the-street style content to promote exploration of the rich revolutionary heritage of North of Boston.Plimoth Patuxet MuseumsPlymouth $60,000“Revolutionary Ideas Started Here,” a campaign to promote the museum and wider Plymouth community through a new interpretive program, a digital advertising campaign, and additional participation in consumer and travel shows.Porter-Phelps-Huntington MuseumHadley $17,500“Hadley and the American Revolution: Stories of Independence and Servitude,” implements exhibits and programs along with marketing.Somerville MuseumSomerville $65,000Increase tourism by creating a map, exhibition, historic family events, and trolley tours to highlight the less celebrated route of Paul Revere through Somerville and the City’s key Revolutionary sites and firsts.Springfield Preservation TrustSpringfield $5,000“Voices from the Grave: Heroes of the American Revolution” cemetery tour at the Springfield Cemetery.The Concord MuseumConcord $45,000“Whose Revolution,” will explore the competing the contradictory meanings of revolution in the years leading up to the war, including a spotlight on the experiences of Indigenous peoples, enslaved and free Black communities, and women.The Innovation Trail of Greater BostonBoston $45,500Video series entitled “The Revolution Continues…” making the case that in Massachusetts, one Revolution may have ended in 1783, but many others have followed.The Museum of PrintingHaverhill $7,500“Revolution: Then and Now,” a series of exhibits, lectures, demonstrations and maker events focusing on the importance of printing and handbills in Massachusetts during the American Revolution.Town of ArlingtonArlington $60,000Increasing awareness, excitement, and visitors around the Battle of Menotomy Historical Reenactment, Public Art, library programming, and marketing.Town of ConcordConcord $25,000“A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color” will examine the stories of Patriots of Color who fought for freedom during the American Revolution, to include an augmented-reality program and art exhibits.Town of Visitors CenterLexington $48,000Short-Form video of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride to be projected for tour groups at the Lexington Visitor Center.Town of WeymouthWeymouth $65,000Creation of an Abigail Adams Documentary.USS Constitution MuseumBoston $22,000Commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy and Massachusetts’ critical role in the Navy’s origins.Visit North Central MassachusettsFitchburg $65,000Promoting regional tourism, agriculture, industry, business, and cultural assets under a revolutionary theme through social media, print, digital, website, and visitor center marketing.WBURBoston $50,000250th programming track at the WBUR Festival in May 2025.White Snake ProjectsBrookline $60,000“Native Triumphs–Celebrating Living Cultures and Traditions,” a series of artistic events including a competition powwow, an indigenous-focused walking tour, and a series of songs about the Revolutionary War.

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