Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Gov. Maura Healey launches Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America’s independence and Massachusetts’ revolutionary legacy, on Sept. 17 at the State House. (Photo courtesy Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office)
On Sept. 17, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll joined Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, state officials, legislators, and representatives from the Massachusetts arts, culture, and tourism industry on the steps of the State House to launch Massachusetts 250, a statewide initiative to celebrate 250 years of America’s independence and Massachusetts’ revolutionary legacy.
The initiative will highlight the state’s rich history and amplify untold stories of the Revolution through hundreds of cultural and community events over the next two years. The announcement included a display with reenactors, dignitaries, and historic militia personnel.
Healey and Driscoll also announced $1.5 million in grants to 37 organizations through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to support the development of projects that promote Massachusetts’ Revolutionary War history. (Click here for the list of grant awardees and projects.)
“Massachusetts is where the Revolution began and where the Revolution continues,” Healey said in a prepared statement. “And with Massachusetts 250, we’re leading commemorations of the Revolutionary War for the next two years.”
The governor added that Massachusetts 250 “is a statewide, ongoing celebration of our history and everything that makes our state special” and that the campaign “will draw visitors, drive local economies, and share the whole story of Massachusetts and our nation through the voices of every community.”
Driscoll called Massachusetts 250 “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to celebrate Massachusetts’ history and showcase the state as a top destination for visitors.
“Statewide partnerships and events will commemorate our revolutionary spirit,” she said, “highlighting the far-reaching impacts of Massachusetts in revolutionary history and the many other firsts that originated here, creating a powerful celebration of our civic pride.”
The Massachusetts 250 creative campaign will collaborate with municipalities, community groups, businesses, and local organizations to commemorate the state’s revolutionary history over the next two years. Statewide partnerships and programs will engage locals and visitors in experiences that narrate iconic historical moments like “the Shot Heard Around the World,” the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party, and Paul Revere’s Ride.
Library programs, Revolutionary Weekends, and signature events will highlight the untold stories of Native Americans, women, and people of color who played crucial roles in shaping America and Massachusetts. The creative campaign will include billboards in Times Square in New York City and other out-of-state markets, as well as digital and social media ads.
The Massachusetts 250 Grant Program, administered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism within the Executive Office of Economic Development, will fund projects that highlight historic themes of revolution and independence, celebrate significant firsts in Massachusetts history, and take a creative or innovative approach to commemorating the state’s past 250 years.
The following are the Massachusetts 250 grant awardees:
• 1Berkshire, Pittsfield
• Boston 4 Foundation, Boston
• Carlisle Historical Society
• Charlestown Historical Society, Boston
• City of Cambridge
• City of Chelsea
• City of Fall River
• City of Salem
• Congregational Library and Archives, Boston
• Essex National Heritage Inc., Salem
• Explore New Bedford
• Framingham History Center
• Freedom Trail Foundation, Boston
• Freedom’s Way Heritage Association, Devens
• Friends of Doherty Park, Boston
• Hingham Historical Society
• Historic New England, Haverhill
• Lexington Historical Society
• Massachusetts Historical Society
• Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket
• Museum of Old Newbury, Newburyport
• North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Salisbury
• Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth
• Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, Hadley
• Somerville Museum, Somerville
• Springfield Preservation Trust, Springfield
• The Concord Museum, Concord
• The Innovation Trail of Greater Boston
• The Museum of Printing, Haverhill
• Town of Arlington
• Town of Concord
• Town of Lexington Visitors Center
• Town of Weymouth
• USS Constitution Museum, Boston
• Visit North Central Massachusetts, Fitchburg
• WBUR, Boston
• White Snake Projects, Brookline
For more information, visit massachusetts250.org and follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.