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Experience the untold histories of Massachusetts, from the American Revolution to the present.
The 250th is finally here. After years of preparation, local communities in every corner of Massachusetts will take up the challenge of marking the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Like their predecessors in the Revolutionary era, our fellow residents will meet a historic moment with vigor and creativity.
Each month, Mass Humanities will publish “A People’s Guide to the Revolution,” a special newsletter created by our staff, our board, and the communities we support. Here on our website and through our social media platforms, we’ll offer up a selection of upcoming events, original essays, and digital media that give you multiple opportunities to engage with the 250th as seen through the eyes of Massachusetts people.
While many associate the Revolution with Boston or battlefield sites, A Town Divided brings the promises—and contradictions—of the Revolution to life through the lens of a deeply divided rural town in western Massachusetts. This project is supported by a “Promises of the Revolution” grant from Mass Humanities.
While we welcome the fireworks and parades, we’re interested in the ways that the anniversary is experienced by Massachusetts people. We also want to emphasize that no single narrator can dictate the ways we understand the roots of American democracy. Nor can we sit back and wait for honest history to prevail on its own.
This year demands more from us. Our tribute to 1776 comes in the questions we ask, the ways we uplift our neighbors, and the courage we display as we reimagine the promises of the Revolution for a new time.
From readings of Frederick Douglass, to films, exhibits, and discussions about the 250th, there are many opportunities to connect with American history this year.
Visit our events calendar to see what’s happening in a community near you.
Each month, Mass Humanities will publish “A People’s Guide to the Revolution,” a special newsletter created by our staff, our board, and the communities we support. Here on our website and through our social media platforms, we’ll offer up a selection of upcoming events, original essays, and digital media that give you multiple opportunities to engage with the 250th as seen through the eyes of Massachusetts people.
Mass Humanities
66 Bridge Street,
Northampton, MA 01060
Mass Humanities
130 Race St, #203
Holyoke, MA 01040
