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Leslie’s Retreat Reenactment
February 24 @ 10:00 am - February 25 @ 4:00 pm
The annual community re-enactment commemorates Col. Alexander Leslie’s tense stand-off with local militiamen at the bridge over Salem’s North River on February 26, 1775. Now known as “Leslie’s Retreat,” this failed attempt by British redcoats to seize control of a local weapons stockpile places Salem firmly in the midst of Massachusetts’s unrest just before Lexington and Concord. Click the links below to learn more about all the events happening.
Saturday February 24th
- 10:00am-2:00pm Loyalists in Our Midst (St. Peter’s Church, Salem): Tour the Sanctuary containing General Gage’s decorated pew, and hear stories of the Salem Tories.
- 11:00am-12:30pm Salem-Marblehead Trolley Tour (Tour leaves from St. Peter’s Church, Salem): 90 minute tour of the sites related to the landing of the British Regulars and their march to Salem, led by Judy Anderson.
Sunday February 25th
- 10:25am Sunday Service with Norumbega Harmony (First Church, Salem): Sunday service featuring New England’s Traditional American Shape-Note Choir.
- 11:30am Sound The Alarm–Community Bell Ringing: Join local churches for 15 minutes of bell ringing.
- 11:30am March to North River (March begins outside the First Church, Salem): Join Capt. John Felt & others as they march to the Redcoats.
- 12:00pm Leslie’s Retreat Reenactment (Leslie’s Retreat Park, Salem) Col. Leslie’s stand-off with local militiamen at the bridge over Salem’s North River, this failed attempt by British redcoats to seize control of a local weapons stockpile places Salem firmly in the midst of Massachusetts’s unrest just before Lexington and Concord.
- 2:00pm “In the Margins: Women Printers in the 18th Century” (First Church, Salem): Reenactor Michelle Gabrielson talks about the indispensable role that women in printing played in the pivotal events leading up to the American Revolution.
- 4:00pm Live Music at O’Neill’s Pub: Grab a pint and sing along to 18th century songs with musician Larry Young.
