Resources

Created by the DPLA (Digital Public Library of America) it is an online collection of documents, images, and artifacts that help the student-historian understand the process of going from loyal subjects of the British Crown to rebels willing to risk their lives.

Students critically examine primary source documents to make historical claims based on context and evidence.

A web presentation by the Massachusetts Historical Society that features historical manuscripts and published works.

The Prize Papers Project has been digitizing a unique early modern collection of personal and legal documents and artefacts (1652-1815) from the British Archives. This collection includes material from the American War of Independence, many of which contain private archives of sailors, merchants, privateers, and other travelers – including letters, accounts and personal documents.

This research study of Fort Lee and Fort Pickering has been undertaken by Frederic C. Detwiller during the summer and Fall of 2023. It includes extensive research in local archives and consists of largely previously unpublished material regarding Massachusetts military history, militia, fortifications, artillery and munitions associated with the forts. The focuses of the report are the Colonial and Revolutionary Periods up to the period of the War of 1812. Later material is included where it sheds light on the earlier appearance of the forts.

Article with primary sources discussing enslaved women’s revolutionary resistance.

Use the DAR’s Genealogical Research System to trace your own lineage back to the Patriots who achieved American independence.

This 2008 publication created by the NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) concentrates on the identification and documentation of the (mostly military) involvement of American individuals of African, American Indian, or mixed descent during the Revolutionary War.

2011 supplement to coincide with the the 2008 publication listed above.

DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Genealogical research database.

Commemoration of the First Massachusetts Provincial Congress, and keynote speaker Robert A. Gross, author of The Minutemen and their World. (Recorded on October 7th, 2024)

From Colony to Commonwealth: From its harbors to its hills, Massachusetts ignited a revolution against the British crown 250 years ago. Our rolling series, From Colony to Commonwealth: Massachusetts and the American Revolution, reveals spectacular stories about that tumultuous path to self-governance. (Recorded on May 7th, 2025)

Lecture about Danvers and their role in the American Revolution (Recorded April 20, 2021)

On the eve of the Revolution, Essex County communities to the north established and organized resistance movements to Crown policies that often far exceeded the efforts of their Bostonian counterparts. (Recorded on March 22nd, 2023)

The Birthplace of the American Navy has been disputed since its inception. Local historians sat and discussed the TRUE origins of the Naval history in the times of the Revolution. (Recorded on  May 8th, 2024)

Weekend of programming in Marblehead (Recorded September 21st and 22nd, 2024)

A gathering at St. Peter’s San Pedro’s Episcopal, where city and state officials spoke and a presented a short skit about the tensions in Salem in 1775 and what would lead to the event known as Leslie’s Retreat. (Recorded February 22, 2025)

A dramatic reenactment at the original site of the confrontation between British Troops and Salem’s citizens. Watch as historical reenactors portray the tense standoff that ended in a peaceful compromise. (Recorded on February 22, 2025)

Lynnfield Historical Society has created a video compilation of their  involvement in the statewide observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great nation.

Lecture about Lynnfield on the Eve of the Revolution (Recorded April 18th, 2024)

Lynnfield Patriots Day Weekend 250- Day One, Shadows of 1775. Produced by Lynnfield Media Studios. (Recorded on April 18th 2025)

Lynnfield Patriots Day Weekend 250- Day Two, Footage of a series of events on Lynnfield Common and in the Lynnfield Library. (Recorded on April 19th, 2025)

Youth in the region are asking their teachers for a more accurate and honest portrayal of U.S. History and how events impacted ALL of the people that live in America. Using primary sources from institutions throughout Essex County, local educators, historians and scholars help us reexamine the American Revolution through the lens of women, Black and Indigenous people. (Recorded on April 6th, 2024)

A lecture was held to open the exhibit “Leslie’s Retreat: Salem on the Brink of Revolution.” Salem Maritime National Historic Site curator Dr. Emily Murphy presented the significance of “Leslie’s Retreat” in American history and the changing legacy of the event over time. (Recorded on February 21, 2025)

To see what is happening on the national – and sometimes even international – level, visit America 250, the congressional commission formed to orchestrate events based around the 250th.

Celebrating our country’s 250th birthday in the birthplace of the Revolution

The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial: Produced by AASLH (The American Association for State and Local History)

Be sure to visit our partners at Revolution 250! Sponsored by the Massachusetts historical Society and including more than 30 institutional members, this organization heads the state-wide efforts to promote 250th anniversary events.

This is a chronological list of events throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are important waypoints in the story of how the American Revolution began. Assembled by Jonathan Lane, J. L. Bell, Bob Allison & many others. This list should be considered “in progress.” (last updated 2021)

Some great work is being done by Unfinished: America at 250, a partnership of organizations and individuals that believes in harnessing the power of history to build a more inclusive future. Check out their website!

A blog post from the Sons of the American Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Peabody Historical Society & Museum Blog post about April 19th 1775

Peabody Historical Society & Museum Blog post about April 19th 1775

An article on the U.S. Army’s website.

A blog created by historian J.L. Bell about Massachusetts Revolutionary history. It is a wealth of information, and a must-visit for anyone doing historical research.

A website run by historian Alexander Cain, which provides a variety of educational outlets for learning about the American Revolution.

A compilation of our Revolutionary stories, contributing properties, events, and our exhibition: Myth and Memory.

A website by Historic Ipswich: Ipswich and The American Revolution, Part 1: The Breach with Britain

A Website by Historic Ipswich: Ipswich and The American Revolution, Part 2: The Revolutionary War

A website by Historic Ipswich that tells the story of John Freeman, an African American Revolutionary War Soldier who was from Ipswich

Lynnfield Historical Society Revolution 250 Events and Programming

A committee open to all dedicated to sharing the history of Marblehead’s role in the Revolutionary War and providing programming commemorating that history.

Marblehead Museum Revolution 250th Events & Resources

An educational blog and resource hub from Newburyport’s Custom House Maritime Museum exploring the city’s pivotal role in the American Revolution.