Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. Without the ability to vote or to own property, Deborah knew her options were limited; breaking the rules may be necessary to accomplish a greater goal in life. As a self-educated masterless woman, she felt a higher calling, and in the final years of the American Revolution, Deborah bound her chest. tied back her hair, and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army, as “Robert Shurtlieff.” The American Heroine takes you back in time!

History At Play (HAP) was founded in 2010 by Artistic Director Judith “Jude” Kalaora to chronicle the lives of influential and often forgotten women. Offering solo and ensemble immersive living history productions, HAP is woman-owned and operated and committed to employing artists from the region. Kalaora is a professional educator, writer, and living historian. She graduated from Syracuse University and attended the Globe Education Program of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre of London, England.

This event explores our region’s revolutionary past! Learn about Freedom’s Way 250 and discover the many ways the Heritage Area and its partners are commemorating and celebrating our nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary.