Captain Samuel Russell Trevett, Artillery Commander at Bunker Hill 1775
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
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 charismatic young leaders, Dr. Joseph Warren, a doctor and a Son of Liberty of Boston, was also a significant loss, as he was mortally wounded there. But a little-known episode involves a Marblehead artillery commander, Captain Samuel Russel Trevett, who fought valiantly and was the only American to lead his cannon company into the thick of the fray, defying the orders of his superior officers. He also dragged a field-piece down off the hill as the American forces retreated. It was the only American cannon that was not captured by the enemy. Trevett, however, was falsely accused of his superior officer’s failures. Though he was exonerated soon after, he never rejoined the army, but served instead as a Captain aboard privateer vessels through the war’s end in 1782.
Donald Doliber was appointed as Marblehead’s Town Historian after 24 years as an award-winning history teacher, who was selected as the “Outstanding American History Teacher in the United States” by the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), followed by 17 years as an assistant high school principal. His ancestors arrived in Marblehead in the 1630s and were fishermen, selectmen, and merchants in the early community, and later, a few served in the Revolutionary War.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Marblehead 250 Committee and Abbot Public Library.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Battle of Gloucester Reenactment
2026-06-20 - 2026-06-21 | Stage Fort Park, 24 Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
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 had been ordered to disrupt American supply lines supporting the siege of Boston. After seizing one schooner at sea, he chased a second into Gloucester Harbor, where it ran aground near Five Pound Island. When alarm bells rang from the town meeting house, the local militia quickly assembled. Although lacking proper artillery, they improvised defenses by mounting swivel guns on makeshift carriages. As British landing parties attempted to board the grounded schooner and burn the town, Gloucester’s defenders opened fire from shore positions.
The Action
The engagement lasted from afternoon until 7 p.m. and included:

British sailors and marines in whale boats attempting to seize the grounded schooner
Musket fire from shore that killed three British sailors and wounded an officer
The Falcon firing approximately 300 cannon shots at the town (damaging the meeting house but causing no casualties)
Multiple failed British attempts to burn Gloucester, including one foiled when gunpowder exploded prematurely
Hand-to-hand combat as militiamen captured British landing parties

The Outcome
Gloucester’s militia achieved a stunning victory, recapturing both schooners and taking 35 British sailors prisoner. Not a single townsperson was killed or wounded by the bombardment. The defeat humiliated Captain Linzee and demonstrated that determined colonists could stand against the Royal Navy.
This engagement later influenced Admiral Graves to authorize the burning of Falmouth (Portland, Maine) in October 1775—an act that helped convince the Continental Congress to establish the Continental Navy.
Experience the Battle
Join us on June 20th and 21st as living history reenactors bring this remarkable moment in history to life, when fishermen and farmers became the defenders of their harbor and struck an early blow for American independence.

Flax: The Fabric of a Revolution with Dr. Kimberly Alexander
2026-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 | John Hale House, 39 Hale Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
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 about the connections between household labor, material culture, and the broader independence movement.

The program includes a hands-on flax processing and spinning demonstration with Reuben Downey.

Dr. Kimberly Alexander is on the faculty of the History Department at the University of New Hampshire, where she is Director of Museum Studies and Senior Lecturer. Alexander was a James Hayes Research Fellow for 2023-2025, awarded by the UNH Center for the Humanities for her Flax-to-Linen Project. Before coming the UNH, she held curatorial positions at several New England museums, including the MIT Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum and Strawbery Banke. Her most recent books are Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018), which won an Honor Award from Historic New England in 2019, and Fashioning the New England Family (Massachusetts Historical Society, 2021).

Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era

https://pwb02mw.press.jhu.edu/title/treasures-afoot

Fashioning the New England Family

https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/5368

Reading Frederick Douglass Together at Hale Farm
2026-06-27 10:00 - 11:30 | John Hale House, 39 Hale Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
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 its enduring call for freedom, justice, and equality. This year marks Historic Beverly’s fifth Reading Frederick Douglass event and coincides with Beverly’s 400th anniversary celebration, making this year’s gathering especially meaningful.
We are honored to welcome renowned Frederick Douglass historian and interpreter Nathan Richardson, who brings Douglass’s words and presence to life through his acclaimed first-person interpretation. Richardson’s powerful performances have inspired audiences nationwide and create a deeply moving connection to one of America’s most important voices.
Following the reading, guests are invited to stay for a special concert performance by the David Eure Duo. Known for blending jazz, improvisation, and storytelling, the ensemble will close the morning with a dynamic musical celebration of community, culture, and reflection.
Historic Beverly is currently seeking volunteer readers from across the community to participate in this year’s program. Whether you are a returning participant or attending for the first time, all are welcome to take part in this shared reading experience. To volunteer email: education@historicbeverly.net
Historic Beverly extends sincere thanks to Mass Humanities and the Mass Cultural Council for their generous support through the Reading Frederick Douglass Together grant program, which helps make this event possible. Additional support is provided by the North Shore MA NAACP and Beantrust Coffeebar.
Learn more about Nathan Richardson at www.scpublishing.com
Learn more about David Eure at www.necmusic.edu/faculty/david-eure/

Ramble Through the Revolution: Old Hill Burying Ground
2026-07-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Old Hill Burying Ground, Old Hill Burying Ground 25 Greenleaf Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
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 around this hilly graveyard. From some of the most ornate early tombstone decorations in New England to the mausoleums of Newburyport’s leading families, Old Hill Burying Ground looks down on the city from its perch above Bartlet Mall.

Black Soldier’s of the Revolution
2026-07-03 14:00 - 15:00 | John Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, 01915, United States
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 men connected to Beverly, including enslaved individuals who fought during the Revolution in pursuit of freedom. Drawing from archival documents, military records, and local history, the program highlights the importance of telling a fuller and more inclusive history of the Revolutionary era and the people who shaped it.
The presentation also examines how these stories have historically been overlooked and why preserving and sharing them remains an important part of understanding Beverly’s past.
Image credit: Jean Baptiste Antoine de Verger “Soldiers in Uniform,” Public Domain.

Rev250 Boat Parade
2026-07-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Tuck’s Point, Manchester-by-the-Sea, 01944, United States
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!

Rockport - Reading of Declaration of Independence
2026-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Dock Square, Dock Square, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Start your Fourth of July with one of Rockport’s most cherished traditions! Join the Rockport Rotary Club at Dock Square for the annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence, a patriotic gathering that officially kicks off the town’s Independence Day celebrations. This long-standing community event brings neighbors and visitors together to reflect on the nation’s founding and celebrate the spirit of the Fourth of July in the heart of downtown Rockport.

Danvers- Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
2026-07-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Rotary Pavillion at the Peabody Institute Library, 15 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
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 for a slightly later start time.
Reenactors from the Danvers Alarm List Company will be delivering the document to the Pavilion.

Fourth of July Open House
2026-07-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Manchester-By-The-Sea Museum, 10 Union St 01944, USA, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, 01944, United States
The Manchester-by-the-sea Museum and the new Revolution exhibit are open for free after the parade in honor of America’s 250th birthday!

Salem Celebrates the 4th!
2026-07-04 17:30 - 21:30 | Salem Maritime National Historical Park, 193 Derby Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
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 schedule of events will be added in the future. Check back for additional information. This event is hosted by the City of Salem.
At 5:00 p.m. the Kids’ Space tent, sponsored by Amazon, will open. This year, little ones will be able to do crafts, play games, and win prizes.
Live entertainment on the Main Stage begins at 5:30 p.m., featuring Jambalaya Horns, so come down early and enjoy some New Orleans-flavored soul and funk favorites. The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will be sponsoring this opening act, in celebration of the upcoming Jazz and Soul Festival this summer at the Salem Willows Shell on August 16.
Food tents will be open on site selling hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn, ice cream, and other fair favorites.
Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Pangallo and other local dignitaries will lead a parade down the wharf accompanied by the Salem Veterans Color Guard. The National Anthem will be sung by Stephanie Foster.
Immediately following the opening ceremonies Maestro Dirk Hillyer and the Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO) will take center stage and perform a program packed with Broadway show tunes, famous movie themes, and patriotic music. This year’s featured performers are Stephanie Foster and Matt Naegar.
Salem’s 2025 Independence Day event is dedicated in memory of Mr. James Bailey, who was one of the original sponsors of this event.
At 9:15 p.m., Salem ends its Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza, accompanied live by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra playing the 1812 Overture and other patriotic tunes throughout the entire fireworks display.
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Reading Frederick Douglass Together -July 5 - Newburyport
2026-07-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Brown Square, 60 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
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 powerful participatory event.
We will gather near the Garrison statue in Brown Square, Newburyport. Seating is limited – please bring a chair or blanket to the reading.
The ninth annual Reading Frederick Douglass Together takes place Sunday, July 5, at 10 a.m. across from City Hall at Brown Square, 60 Pleasant St. This event brings people together to read and discuss Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” No sign-ups necessary. The reading of the speech takes about 45 minutes. Seating is limited – bring a folding chair. Light refreshments will be provided.
The event is organized by the Friends of William Lloyd Garrison with support from the YWCA of Greater Newburyport, the First Religious Society UU, Museum of Old Newbury, Congregation Ahavas Achim, and the Newburyport Human Rights Commission. This program is funded in part by Mass Humanities. Funding from Mass Humanities has been provided through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In the event of rain, the event will be held nearby at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St.

About Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was born in 1818 and escaped from slavery in Maryland in 1838. He lived for many years in Massachusetts and at one time worked for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He delivered the Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The most celebrated orator of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations.
The speech being read can be found here: https://www.newburyhistory.org/frederick-douglass-speech-medium
Made possible with support from:

NEWBURYPORT & THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
2026-07-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Join us for a talk on the arrival and first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport. Alex Cain will also speak in depth on the museum’s recently acquired patriotic textile (pictured left), a rare 1833 copy of the Declaration and Jane Stuart’s portrait of George Washington, both currently on loan to the museum.
Alexander Cain graduated from Merrimack College in 1993 with a degree in economics and New England School of Law in 1996 with a juris doctorate in law. He is a well respected and highly sought-after speaker who frequently lectures on the military and social influences of April 19, 1775.
Alex has worked with both major and local production companies as a consultant and advisor to ensure historical accuracy is properly maintained during the production process. He has published multiple research articles that have shed new light on the Battles of Lexington Concord, privateer operations during the Siege of Boston and the loyalist refugee experience during the American Revolution.
Alex has also published two books – We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War.

PLEASE NOTE: The Custom House is a historic structure and is not handicap accessible. Most events take place on the second floor and there is no elevator in the building.
5:30 pm – reception | 6:30 pm lecture

March to Revolution: Lesser Known Stories from 1775-1776 with Dr. Abby Chandler
2026-07-14 18:30 - 20:00 | North Andover Historical Society, 800 Massachusetts Ave, North Andover, MA, 01845, United States
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 on lesser known events from the months after Lexington and Concord to tell a broader story about the early months of the American Revolution.

Chasing Liberty: Black Newburyporters and Privateers in Highland Cemetery
2026-07-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Highland Cemetery, 21 Hill Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts, 01950, United States
Join Ghlee Woodworth for a walking tour focused on the memorials of Newburyport’s Black community and Revolutionary privateers.
Wander through Newburyport’s historic Highland Cemetery with a special guide – noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, a 12th generation Newburyport native. During this special event, Woodworth will focus on the memorials of Newburyport’s once-thriving Black community and the graves of Newburyport’s legendary privateers. Hear the story of “Guinea village”, the slang term for the Black neighborhood nearby and learn more about efforts to commemorate and celebrate Black lives and experiences. Learn about the remarkable life of Captain Offin Boardman, chasing liberty in a different way.

Reading the Declaration of Independence
2026-07-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Independence Park, Lothrop St, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Join Historic Beverly for a commemorative public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Independence Park, the very site where Beverly first heard the Declaration read aloud in 1776.
On July 17, 1776, Colonel John Glover gathered his regiment on the parade ground that would later become Independence Park, where they were joined by Beverly townspeople to hear the newly adopted Declaration of Independence publicly proclaimed for the first time. Printed by E. Russell of Salem just two weeks after the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4th, Beverly’s reading copy announced the birth of a new nation before the celebration continued with a cannon salute and the ringing of church bells throughout the community.
250 years later, Historic Beverly invites the public to gather once again at this historic location to reflect on the words that changed the course of history. This special evening program will recreate the spirit of that historic moment through a public reading of the Declaration in the place where Beverly residents first heard its revolutionary message.
Guests are encouraged to arrive beginning at 5:30 P.M. to enjoy the waterfront setting and learn more about Beverly’s important role in the Revolutionary era before the formal reading begins at 6:00 P.M.
Leading up to the event, visitors can view Beverly’s historic reading copy of the Declaration of Independence at the John Cabot House, located at 117 Cabot Street, as part of Historic Beverly’s ongoing interpretation of the American Revolution and Beverly’s role in the founding of the nation.

Newburyport’s Revolution: From High Street to the Waterfront
2026-07-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Follow Newburyport’s road to revolution through merchant mansions, taverns, privateering, shipmasters, and Market Square.
Join noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth for a walk from the 1808 Cushing House down State Street into the commercial and maritime heart of Newburyport. Hear how taverns, merchant mansions, privateering fortunes, shipmasters, and public spaces helped shape the city during the American Revolution. Along the way, discover women’s roles in supporting the Revolution, and explore Tristram and Ruth Dalton, Patrick and Nathaniel Tracy, the Wolfe Tavern, the Marine Society, and Market Square, while tracing how later fires, urban renewal, and preservation reshaped the streets where Revolutionary Newburyport unfolded.

Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast
2026-07-19 13:45 - 17:30 | Market Square, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Commemoration of the 250th anniversary of NBPT’s first reading of the Declaration of Independence, with readings, music, reenactors, and more

When: Sunday, July 19, 2026; 1:45 p.m. procession, 2:00 p.m. program
Where: Brown Square to Market Square, with a stop at FRS UU Church, followed by a waterfront observance and family-friendly activities.
Includes: Community readings, Revolutionary soldiers, sailors, and colonial-era townspeople, ceremonial music and salutes, the arrival of two schooners honored by privateers on board, public access to the schooners until 5:30 p.m., and activities for families.
On July 19, 1776, the people of Newburyport assembled at the Meetinghouse then standing in Market Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time. In the aftermath of that extraordinary moment, patriot and future Senator Tristram Dalton wrote to Elbridge Gerry, “The die is cast. All is at stake. The way is made plain.”
That plain way was not peace, comfort, or certainty. It was a sacrifice. War had already touched Newburyport for more than a year, but the Declaration transformed resistance into resolve. It proclaimed before the world that Americans were entitled to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” and most Newburyporters were prepared to defend those rights at any cost.
Two hundred and fifty years later, Newburyport will gather again to remember that turning point in the life of the town and the nation. The day will begin at 1:45 p.m. with a procession from Brown Square to Market Square, including a stop at FRS UU Church, before the public commemoration begins at 2:00 p.m. in the heart of downtown. This anniversary observance invites the public to stand where earlier generations stood and to hear once more the words that changed the course of our history.
The program will bring together neighbors and friends, past and present, along with Revolutionary soldiers, sailors, colonial-era townsfolk, and special guests, for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. With music, salutes, and ceremonial observances, the event will honor those who, in 1776, pledged to each other their “Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor” in the defense of liberty.
Following the Market Square program, participants will proceed to the waterfront to greet the arrival of the Schooner Ardelle, and the Schooner Isabella. There, the commemoration will continue with salutes by privateers on board, recalling the maritime world in which Newburyport lived, fought, and sacrificed during the Revolution. The schooners will remain in port and available to the public until 5:30 p.m.
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast offers a chance not only to remember the past, but to renew a shared civic promise. It is a day to reflect on the cost of freedom, the courage of those who declared it, and the enduring obligation to defend the rights and principles for which they risked everything.

Newburyport, MA: The Museum of Old Newbury, in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell’s Boat Shop, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and many more community partners, will present Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Market Square, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport.
Sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) as part of the statewide MA250 campaign.

1776: Why Independence?
2026-07-23 18:30 - 19:45 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join Dr. Robert Allison as he discusses the challenges, opportunities, and the role of Essex County as America declared independence in 1776.
Why did the American colonies declare Independence in 1776? What were the challenges, and what potential opportunities did they see? How did their thinking change from trying to preserve their long-cherished charter rights to announcing their arrival as an independent entity, equal among the powers of the earth to all other nations? What was the role of Essex County in this momentous decision?
Robert Allison, a professor of history at Suffolk University, also teaches at the Harvard Extension School. He has written a series of short books about the American Revolution, as well as histories of Boston and of Cape Cod. His longer works include publications on the Barbary Wars and Naval hero Stephen Decatur. He edited an edition of “The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African.” Allison created two classes for The Teaching Company’s series “The Great Courses,” one focused on colonial America (“Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies) and the other on Benjamin Franklin (“The Age of Benjamin Franklin”) His work draws from his teaching, which has covered all phases of American history, though his primary focus is the American Revolution and the early American republic. He is president of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, a scholarly organization which publishes primary documents on early American history, a life-trustee of the USS CONSTITUTION Museum, and as chair of Revolution 250, Allison hosts its weekly podcast, a series of conversations on the Revolution with historians, museum curators, and reenactors.
While admission is free space is limited; registration is strongly encouraged.
CLICK HERE to Register

This program is part of the Conflict & Community: Salem, Essex County, and the American Revolution lecture series. This series is a partnership between Essex Heritage and Salem Maritime National Historical Park and highlights the unique role of Essex County communities during the American Revolution. CLICK HERE for more information about Conflict & Community programs.

Abigail Adams: Love & Politics in the American Revolution
2026-07-24 19:00 - 20:30 | John Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, 01915, United States
Join Historic Beverly for an engaging evening of theater and history with Abigail Adams: Love & Politics in the American Revolution, a compelling one-woman performance written and performed by acclaimed historical interpreter Laura Rocklyn.
Set in the year 1788, the performance finds Abigail Adams newly returned from Europe alongside her husband, John Adams, following his diplomatic service in France and England. As news arrives that the United States Constitution has been ratified and the nation prepares for its first presidential election, Abigail reflects on the extraordinary events that shaped both her life and the creation of a new republic.
Through wit, warmth, and powerful storytelling, audiences will experience Abigail’s memories of her enduring partnership with John Adams, from the playful courtship letters of a young lawyer sending kisses to his “Miss Adorable” to the remarkable intellectual and political collaboration that helped define the American Revolution and the early United States.
Blending personal reflection with political history, this intimate performance offers a vivid portrait of one of the Revolutionary era’s most influential voices and highlights Abigail Adams’s enduring legacy as a thinker, advocate, and partner in the founding of the nation.
The scripted performance runs approximately 40 minutes and will be followed by a 15–20 minute audience Q&A.
About Laura Rocklyn
Laura Rocklyn is a writer, actress, and first-person historical interpreter known for bringing complex historical figures to life through engaging theatrical performances. She is a member of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and an Acting Troupe Member with History At Play.
Her recent work includes co-writing a stage adaptation of Jane Eyre, produced by the Classic Theatre of Maryland in 2024, as well as adaptations of A Christmas Carol performed at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. Rocklyn also co-wrote a bio-drama about Clover Adams produced by Ally Theatre Company and has published work in Brontë Studies and The Revere Express. She was the recipient of the LitMag 2021 Virginia Woolf Award for Short Fiction.
This program is funded by a Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Grant in support of Massachusetts250 events.

The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of Independence
2026-08-19 18:30 - 19:45 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
This lecture, presented by historian Alexander Cain, examines the often-overlooked experiences of American Loyalists from New England, including those from Essex County, during the Revolutionary War. It examines how unwavering loyalty to the Crown led to the loss of homes, freedom, and security for numerous families. Drawing on original petitions and firsthand accounts, the presentation traces the harrowing flight of Loyalists from so-called “patriot” mobs and Committees of Safety. The discussion further explores the severe hardships endured by Loyalist families, including those from Salem, who sought refuge with the British army, facing starvation, violations of civil liberties, and exile. The lecture also highlights the resilience that enabled these individuals to persevere in the face of such adversity.

Alexander Cain, JD, has authored numerous research articles and presentations on the American Revolution, including the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, the Siege of Boston, and the experiences of New England and New York loyalist refugees during the Burgoyne Campaign. In addition, he has published two books:We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War: The Loyalists of McAlpin’s Corps of American Volunteers. He is also the creator of the blog and podcast Historical Nerdery. Currently, he is in the process of writing his upcoming book, “For God’s Sake Fire!” – The Massachusetts Militia System on the Eve of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which is anticipated to be released in 2027.
Alex is the Executive Director of Apprenticeship Pathways at North Shore Community College. He resides in Massachusetts with his wife, Paula, and they have two adult children, John and Abigail. The fact that they are named after John and Abigail Adams is purely a coincidence.
While admission to this event is free, space is limited; registration is strongly encouraged.
CLICK HERE to Register

This program is part of the Conflict & Community: Salem, Essex County, and the American Revolution lecture series. This series is a partnership between Essex Heritage and Salem Maritime National Historical Park and highlights the unique role of Essex County communities during the American Revolution. CLICK HERE or more information about Conflict & Community programs.

Abigail Adams: Legacy and Liberty
2026-08-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Hill Meeting House, 4 Old Portsmouth Road, Amesbury, MA, 01913, United States
Celebrate the spirit of independence with Abigail Adams: Liberty and Legacy at the historic Rocky Hill Meeting House! In this engaging performance, local actor Sheryl Faye brings to life one of America’s most influential women—a revolutionary, mother, and advocate for women’s rights. Set in the eighteenth-century Rocky Hill Meeting House, this program explores Adams’s intelligence, courage, and her enduring call to “remember the ladies.” Join us for an inspiring program honoring her legacy and the revolutionary ideals that shaped a new nation.
Members $15; Nonmembers $25
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets
Please call (617) 994-5955 for more information.
Abigail Adams will be portrayed by Sheryl Faye.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Amesbury Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Revolutionary Leader – Colonel John Glover & his Crucial Leadership in 1776
2026-08-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
John Glover is justly the most famous and celebrated of Marblehead’s hundreds of Revolutionary servicemen due to his capable and resolute leadership of his intrepid and unflinching Continental Army regiment during the war’s first year and a half, through December 1776, while he was a Colonel. Although the numbers of his soldiers were somewhat in flux as hundreds would leave to serve as captains and crews on privateer vessels, nearly 600 men and teenaged boys served in the rebel Patriot army in June 1775. This talk will primarily discuss Colonel Glover’s time as commander of that so-called “Marblehead Regiment” (1775 – 76). But it will focus on the pivotal last four months of 1776 –– from the crucial evacuation of Long Island that saved Commander-in-Chief George Washington’s entire army of 9,000 men and equipment, to the pivotal December Crossing of the Delaware River in lashing sleet (and back again, in worsened conditions, with two grueling nine-mile marches in between), which saved the war effort itself.
Afterward, most of Col. Glover’s remaining men returned home, and would join their mates in privateering –– to Glover’s frustration, though a handful of stalwart officers stayed in the army with him. Colonel Glover was promoted to General in Feb. 1777, and served throughout the rest of the war’s 7 long years. He retired from service in 1782, as hostilities on the N. American continent finally ended.
Larry Sands is the captain of Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, a reenactment unit established in 1974. A member for over 35 years, he has filled all leadership roles and has participated in reenactments of every engagement in which the original regiment served.

Captain Nicholson Broughton, First Captain of the Privateer Hannah
2026-09-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
Captain Nicholson Broughton earned honor as the first commodore of the United States Navy. But he first gained fame as captain of the even more famous schooner Hannah, the “first” official privateer vessel sent out from Marblehead / Beverly waters under a commission from George Washington in service of his Continental Army, on September 2, 1775. Broughton had at first been a captain of one of the ten regiments in Colonel John Glover’s 21st Massachusetts Regiment (as it began in June 1775). In November 1775, Captain Broughton commanded the privateer Hancock, which sailed up to Nova Scotia waters with the schooner Franklin, commanded by Captain John Selman, also of Marblehead, to interrupt the shipping of British armaments to bases in Canada. Finding none, they took matters into their own hands and were court martialed personally by Commander-in-Chief George Washington.
Donald Doliber was appointed as Marblehead’s Town Historian after 24 years as an award-winning history teacher, who was selected as the “Outstanding American History Teacher in the United States” by the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), followed by 17 years as an assistant high school principal. His ancestors arrived in Marblehead in the 1630s and were fishermen, selectmen, and merchants in the early community, and later, a few served in the Revolutionary War.
This event is presented in collaboration with the Marblehead 250 Committee and Abbot Public Library.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Hannah in Context: What really happened, and why did it matter?
2026-09-17 18:30 - 19:45 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join Captain Michael Rutstein as he covers the events leading up to the famous battle between the armed American schooner Hannah and HMS Nautilus in October 1775. He will walk us step by step through the engagement and wrap up with the repercussions of this event and its impact on the course of the Revolution here on the North Shore.
Michael Rutstein: After drafting and then reluctantly abandoning a business plan to create a replica of Hannah, Rutstein commissioned local boatbuilder Harold Burnham to build a representation of the 1812 Salem privateer FAME in 2003. For 23 seasons, FAME sailed out of Pickering Wharf in Salem to critical and popular acclaim. In April 2026, FAME was sold to the Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships in Boston.

While admission is free, space is limited; registration is strongly encouraged.
CLICK HERE to Register

This program is part of the Conflict & Community: Salem, Essex County, and the American Revolution lecture series. This series is a partnership between Essex Heritage and Salem Maritime National Historical Park and highlights the unique role of Essex County communities during the American Revolution. CLICK HERE or more information about Conflict & Community programs.

American Admiralty Law in Salem and Boston, 1800–1840, and Its Legacy
2026-09-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Judge William G. Young explores how Salem and Boston maritime conflicts (1800–1840) shaped early American admiralty law post Revolution.
Learn about the establishment of American Admiralty Law in Salem and Boston following the American Revolution, tracing how early 19th-century maritime conflicts in these port cities shaped the development of American jurisprudence. The lecture will examine how disputes over cargo, salvage, and prize cases during the period tested and refined the young nation’s legal system. Judge Young will also discuss the pivotal role played by Judge John Davis in establishing practical precedents for handling these cases — precedents that would go on to influence the broader framework of American admiralty law.

About the Speaker:
The Honorable William G. Young has served as a Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts since 1985, following eight years on the Massachusetts Superior Court. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he served as a U.S. Army officer before beginning his legal career as law clerk to Chief Justice Raymond S. Wilkins of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He later practiced law with Bingham, Dana & Gould and served as Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counsel to Governor Francis W. Sargent. An acclaimed teacher of evidence and trial advocacy, Judge Young has taught at Harvard, Boston College, and Boston University. He is also a prolific legal scholar and the author of several influential works on evidence, trial practice, and federal jurisprudence.
While admission is free space is limited; registration is strongly encouraged.
CLICK HERE to register

This program is part of the Conflict & Community: Salem, Essex County, and the American Revolution lecture series. This series is a partnership between Essex Heritage and Salem Maritime National Historical Park and highlights the unique role of Essex County communities during the American Revolution. CLICK HERE or more information about Conflict & Community programs.

Revolutionary War Heroes in Marblehead Cemeteries
2026-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
Many men from Marblehead fought in the American Revolution. Most were part of the 14th Continental, known as Glover’s regiment. There were also captains and sailors in Washington’s crucial privateer fleet. Rebels who fought back in other ways, such as serving on Committees and attending the early Continental Congress, were also part of the story. Many never returned home, dying on battlefields or at sea. But those buried in Marblehead’s graveyards help us remember our Town’s role in the nation’s fight for independence. Find out more about who lies where, and about what’s wrong with the 1930 Tercentenary sign at Old Burial Hill.
Pam Peterson is the Chair of Marblehead Historical Commission and served on Marblehead’s Cemetery Commission after 19 years at the Marblehead Museum, first as Director of Education and then as Executive Director, as well as designer of several exhibitions. She is a columnist for the Marblehead ‘Current’ newspaper, and has recently written a book about all of the cemeteries in Marblehead, which also includes stories about some of the people who were interred in them.

Rabbi David Meyer A Jewish Hero in Glover’s Marblehead Regiment
2026-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA, 01970, United States
Through the remarkable story of Abraham Solomon of Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, Rabbi David Meyer illuminates the often-overlooked role of Jews in the American Revolution and their early struggle for religious liberty and civic equality. Blending history, humor, and heartfelt storytelling, he reveals how Jewish patriots helped shape a nation founded on freedom. This presentation invites the audience to reflect on how honoring the past can inspire pride, identity, and connection in the present.
Rabbi David J. Meyer is rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead. In his retirement, he has enjoyed learning about and portraying the only known Jewish soldier in Colonel John Glover’s Revolutionary War Regiment (1775 – 76).

Revolutionary Reward – General John Glover and his Farm House in his Retirement
2026-11-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Goldthwait Reservation, Phillips Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
This presentation will focus on General Glover’s post-Revolutionary years, when he restarted his business operations and purchased a farm in 1781, the year he remarried after his wife died in 1778 in the middle of the war, and a year before he retired from his eight long years of service. Updates about the state of the c.1730-50s farmhouse and its preservation will be included. Nancy Schultz is Chair of Swampscott’s Historical Commission. For the past 3 years, she has pressed tirelessly for the preservation of General Glover’s Farm House, after a long career as an Englishman.
Nancy Schultz is Chair of Swampscott’s Historical Commission. For the past 3 years she has pressed tirelessly for the preservation of General Glover’s Farm House, after a long career as an English professor at Salem State College then University.

Music of a New Nation
2026-11-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Swett-Ilsley House, 4 High Road, Newbury, MA, United States
Concert at “Swett’s Tavern”: Ampersand Presents Music of a New Nation
Enjoy Ampersand’s special American Revolution–era program, Music of the New Nation, set within the historic Swett-Illsley House, once a bustling colonial tavern. For this special evening, we will transform the house into Swett’s Tavern, featuring period-inspired pub snacks and beer. The immersive performance explores life on the home front and the experiences of everyday people as they faced the struggle for independence. The program features songs reflecting the early stirrings of revolution, the lives of colonists from varied walks of life, and the voices of soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Highlights include a fiddle tune composed by an enslaved person, as well as protest songs written during the Revolution. This engaging trio performs on guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer, cello, and penny whistles, weaving rich vocal harmonies with a palpable joy in sharing this historic music with modern audiences.
Members $40. This is a members-only performance.
CLICK HERE to learn more
Please call (617) 994-5955 for more information.
