Events

The Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, up above Charlestown, just north of Boston, early in the war, is famous for several reasons. The battle, the Revolutionary War’s first major combat involving cannons, was a loss for the Americans, but the British suffered a high number of casualties. One of the American revolution’s...

The Battle of Gloucester On a summer day in 1775, the British warship HMS Falcon sailed into Gloucester Harbor in pursuit of two colonial schooners. What followed became one of the first naval engagements of the American Revolution—and an unlikely victory for the townspeople of Gloucester. Captain John Linzee of the fourteen-gun sloop HMS Falcon...

Step into the Hale House for a special Historic Beverly program with Dr. Kimberly Alexander on flax, linen, and the vital role of textiles during the American Revolution. This program will explore how flax was processed into linen and why homespun textiles became important symbols of independence, resistance, and political identity in Revolutionary-era America. Guests will learn...

Historic Beverly invites the community to participate in our annual Reading Frederick Douglass Together program, a powerful public reading of Frederick Douglass’s landmark July 5, 1852 speech, “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?” As part of this statewide initiative led by Mass Humanities, community members volunteer to read portions of Douglass’s speech aloud, reflecting on...

Meet Revolutionary heroes, merchants, captains, and curious characters among Old Hill's remarkable stones and family tombs. Wander through Newburyport's historic 1730 Old Hill Burying Ground with noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th-generation Newburyport native. Meet Revolutionary War heroes, captains and merchants of Old Newbury, and even a "cool, cool cat" in a stroll...

For Historic Beverly’s July First Friday program, and in recognition of this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, this talk explores the stories of Black soldiers from Beverly during the American Revolution through research conducted using Historic Beverly’s archival collections and ongoing historical research efforts. Participants will learn about the lives and military service of Black...

Celebrate America's 250th at the town's Boat Parade on Friday, July 3 at 2 PM in Manchester Harbor. The parade is open to all boats, including those not in Manchester Harbor, that can maintain 5 knots under power, sailing will not be allowed. Best view from land is at Tuck's Point!

This year’s reading is our 15th and it takes on heightened significance in light of the 250th Anniversary of its signing. If you wish to participate in the reading, please arrive early to receive a part. We will strive to begin at 11:00, but we do expect more readers than usual, so kindly be prepared...

Bring your beach blankets and folding chairs to enjoy live orchestra music on Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historical Park for a grand celebration of our nation’s 250th Independence Day. Featuring live music, family fun, and fireworks launched over Salem Harbor, this is a quintessential celebration of the 4th of July. A full...

Join us for Newburyport's 9th annual community reading of Frederick Douglass's powerful speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" An in-person community reading of Frederick Douglass's impassioned 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” will take place on Sunday, July 5, at 10am. Lend your voice to this...

The Battles of Lexington and Concord are well known as "the shot heard round the world" but have you ever heard of the Battle of Moore's Creek? Or the Revolutionary War connection between Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York and Dorchester Heights in Boston? Or the Mecklenburg Resolves? This talk by Professor Abby Chandler focuses...