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PRODID:-//Freedom's Way National Heritage Area - ECPv6.18.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://freedomsway.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
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TZID:UTC
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DTSTART:20210101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260529T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260529T210000
DTSTAMP:20260403T180211Z
CREATED:20260403T180211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T180211Z
UID:36045-1780081200-1780088400@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now – Stow\, MA
DESCRIPTION:Join the Stow Historical Society on Friday\, May 29 at 7:00 PM for a lively community performance at the historic Stow Town Hall (375 Great Road). The evening will conclude with an ice cream social. \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now brings to life the Declaration of Independence as a forum for civic dialogue and engagement through a forty-minute performance and ensuing moderated community conversation. The script\, written by public historian Mary B. Fuhrer\, utilizes primary source material researched by citizen historians to reveal how individuals within Massachusetts towns debated and responded to the question of independence in the spring and summer of 1776\, followed by an annotated reading of the Declaration itself. \nIn commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence\, 15 community-hosted performances are scheduled across the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area during the spring and summer of 2026. Find a performance near you! \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now is supported\, in part\, by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-stow/
LOCATION:Stow Town Hall\, 375 Great Road\, Stow\, MA\, 01775\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DI-2026_Stacked-Logo-for-Events.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260516T163000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260516T180000
DTSTAMP:20260403T175808Z
CREATED:20260403T175629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T175808Z
UID:36039-1778949000-1778954400@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now – Princeton\, MA
DESCRIPTION:Experience Declaring Independence: Then & Now on Saturday\, May 16 at 4:30 PM\, hosted by the Princeton Historical Society and Princeton Historical Commission at the First Congregational Church of Princeton (14 Mountain Road). A guided community conversation will follow\, offering space to reflect and share perspectives. \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now brings to life the Declaration of Independence as a forum for civic dialogue and engagement through a forty-minute performance and ensuing moderated community conversation. The script\, written by public historian Mary B. Fuhrer\, utilizes primary source material researched by citizen historians to reveal how individuals within Massachusetts towns debated and responded to the question of independence in the spring and summer of 1776\, followed by an annotated reading of the Declaration itself. \nIn commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence\, 15 community-hosted performances are scheduled across the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area during the spring and summer of 2026. Find a performance near you! \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now is supported\, in part\, by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-princeton/
LOCATION:First Congregational Church of Princeton\, 14 Mountain Road\, Princeton\, 01541\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DI-2026_Stacked-Logo-for-Events.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260516T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260516T140000
DTSTAMP:20260422T144357Z
CREATED:20260403T174049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T144357Z
UID:36027-1778936400-1778940000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now – Sudbury\, MA
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 series begins as part of Sudbury 250th Day on Saturday\, May 16 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM! Gather at the First Parish of Sudbury (327 Concord Road) at 1:00 PM for an engaging performance hosted by the Sudbury Historical Society. Afterward\, enjoy a reception at the c. 1730 Loring Parsonage\, home to the Sudbury History Center and Museum in historic Sudbury Town Center. \nThis event is free and open to the public. Registration not required. \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now brings to life the Declaration of Independence as a forum for civic dialogue and engagement through a forty-minute performance and ensuing moderated community conversation. The script\, written by public historian Mary B. Fuhrer\, utilizes primary source material researched by citizen historians to reveal how individuals within Massachusetts towns debated and responded to the question of independence in the spring and summer of 1776\, followed by an annotated reading of the Declaration itself. \nIn commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence\, 15 community-hosted performances are scheduled across the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area during the spring and summer of 2026. Find a performance near you! \nDeclaring Independence: Then & Now is supported\, in part\, by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-sudbury/
LOCATION:First Parish of Sudbury\, 327 Concord Road\, Sudbury\, MA\, 01776\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DI-2026_Stacked-Logo-for-Events.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sudbury Historical Society":MAILTO:info@sudbury01776.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260516T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260516T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T142851Z
CREATED:20260423T134710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T142851Z
UID:36412-1778925600-1778943600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Sudbury 250 Day
DESCRIPTION:Capitalizing on Sudbury’s unique zip code of 01776\, Sudbury Town Center will be host to militia reenactments\, tours of historic town center buildings and the Revolutionary War Cemetery\, fife & drum music\, colonial dancing\, the Knox cannon firing\, awards for essay & play writing contests\, and a quilt show\, among other events both indoors and outdoors. Click for additional information. \nPlease come and enjoy! Bring friends and family. Open to all from Sudbury and beyond. \n– Sudbury Minutemen\n– Historic dance and demonstration\n– Storytelling\n– Children’s activities\n– Fife & drum music\n– Living history demonstrators\n– Markets\n– Food Trucks\n– Quilt Show\n– Guided Tours – Revolutionary War Cemetery\, Town Pound\n– Open House – Hearse House & Hosmer House\n– Declaring Independence: Then & Now\n– Cannon firing\nAnd more! \nEvent parking is at Lincoln Sudbury High School and Nixon Elementary School. Shuttles will bring attendees to Town Center and back. Flynn Building parking lot will be available for handicap sticker parking and moving drop-off only. \nNo pre-registration is required. \nDATE: Saturday\, May 16 \nTIME: 10 AM – 3 PM \nLOCATION: Historic Sudbury Center\, Sudbury\, MA 01776 \n  \nThis program is offered by the Sudbury 250 Committee as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/sudbury-250-day/
LOCATION:Sudbury\, MA\, 322 Concord Road\, Sudbury\, MA\, 01776\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Exhibits,Festivals,Living History,Performances,Tours,Walks & Hikes,Open House
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/250-day-2.16.26-flyer-v2-1187x1536-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sudbury 250 Committee":MAILTO:radhagargeya@yahoo.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250704T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250704T201500
DTSTAMP:20250630T114030Z
CREATED:20250630T114030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250630T114030Z
UID:29008-1751655600-1751660100@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now
DESCRIPTION:This dramatic presentation\, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area\, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. \nAcross the colonies\, and particularly in Massachusetts\, towns debated what freedom meant to them\, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in the final document mean to them? Costumed reenactors will bring life to the words of the past\, with narration by former State Representative Jay Kaufman. \nRounding out our evening will be a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. Some of our favorite tunes from the 18th century were highly political\, and many of them were also taken from popular English military music!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-then-now-4/
LOCATION:Lexington Depot\, 13 Depot Square\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Decl-IndependenceLogoFINALOut-1024x532-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lexington History Museums":MAILTO:programs@lexingtonhistory.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250211T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250211T203000
DTSTAMP:20250204T162200Z
CREATED:20250204T162200Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T162200Z
UID:26327-1739300400-1739305800@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Redcoats and Rebels
DESCRIPTION:Nowadays\, few people know about Paul Revere’s first ride\, which was to Portsmouth in December 1774 to warn the patriots that the British were coming to reinforce Fort William and Mary\, five months before the Redcoats marched on Concord and Lexington. Nor do they know that two-thirds of the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill were from New Hampshire. Most people are also unaware that New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress adopted the first state constitution in January 1776\, making no mention of royal authority and essentially declaring independence from Great Britain six months before anyone else. And this is just the beginning of New Hampshire’s revolutionary story. \nThe program will take place in the comfortable library located in the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum\, 5 Abbott Street\, Nashua\, NH.  The building is accessible with padded chairs\, large bathrooms\, an elevator between floors and a ramp inside from the free parking area off Crescent Street.  There is no need to pre-register; this is a non-ticketed\, free event. \nThe Nashua Historical Society gratefully acknowledges this program is made possible by New Hampshire Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org . \nAbout Mary Adams\nBorn and raised in New Hampshire\, Mary has always loved surrounding herself with history. Her passion for storytelling led her to become a tour guide at various locations\, including San Francisco\, Boston\, and her favorite\, Glacier National Park. Her work as an interpreter for the National Park Service further honed her skills. Currently\, Mary serves as Operations Manager for The Pursuit of History Weekends\, where she coordinates specially curated\, one-of-a-kind experiences aimed at inspiring broader public engagement with history. She is also on staff at the New Hampshire Historical Society\, where she has played a pivotal role in presenting the Granite State Stories programs for HTG in 2023 and 2024. Mary narrates many of the Society’s video productions\, including virtual field trips for children\, and delivers workshops for adult audiences on organizing cemetery tours and scavenger hunts. Additionally\, she trains the Society’s museum educators\, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for visitors of all ages. \nAbout the Nashua Historical Society\nFounded in 1870\, the Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer-run\, independent non-profit with a focus on local history. The Nashua Historical Society owns and operates two museums in Nashua\, NH. To learn more\, please call 603.883.0015. To follow the Nashua Historical Society on Facebook\, please visit https://www.facebook.com/NashuaHistoricalSociety/
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/redcoats-and-rebels/
LOCATION:Nashua Historical Society\, 5 Abbott Street\, Nashua\, 03064\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Redcoats-and-Rebels-Feb-11-2025-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nashua Historical Society":MAILTO:nashuahistorical@comcast.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241011T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241011T163000
DTSTAMP:20240930T163125Z
CREATED:20240930T162926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240930T163125Z
UID:24941-1728639000-1728664200@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:The 250th Anniversary of the First Massachusetts Provincial Congress
DESCRIPTION:“Exploring Democracy – Our Rights and Our Responsibilities”\n\n\n\n\n\nIn October 1774\, the political conflict between Great Britain and Massachusetts reached a crisis. Parliament enacted the “Intolerable Acts” to punish the province for the Tea Party\, and they revoked the charter of 1691 by which the popularly elected House of Representatives joined with the Council and Crown-appointed Governor to rule the Bay Colony. In the ensuing furor\, county conventions protested the changes; crowds closed courts\, Patriots took over county militias\, and encouraged towns to resist the new regime of the General Court. Royal Governor Thomas Gage called the Court to meet in Salem\, but the Assembly never convened. \nAlthough Gage canceled the session\, the representatives decided to meet behind closed and locked doors and reorganize as the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Its first session opened a week later\, on October 11th\, in Concord\, safe from the control of British authorities. The gathering was a landmark in the history of self-government.  The Congress set the colony on a collision course with Britain and an eventual road to independence.  Even as it proclaimed loyalty to the Crown\, the Congress mobilized the province in a struggle to reclaim the rights and liberties Massachusetts had enjoyed. Without declaring independence\, the popularly elected body seized the reins of power\, charted a new future for Massachusetts\, and set a model of self-government. \nOctober 11\, 2024\, marks the 250th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. To commemorate this occasion and honor our forebearers\, the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust is sponsoring a gathering in Concord’s First Parish Meetinghouse and the Wright Tavern next door\, where the delegates to the Congress met. This will be a day-long\, engaging program. With noted historians to guide us\, we will return to this crucial moment in the history of the American Revolution and ask what we can learn from the past. With state legislators joining us\, we will examine the state of democratic governance in Massachusetts and the United States today. And\, with students and teachers from Massachusetts schools\, we will collaboratively explore the future of democracy.  Come join us for this remarkable day. \n\n\n\n\n\nPlease register. \n  \n\n		\n			\n				\n			\n			\n		 \n		\n			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.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/the-250th-anniversary-of-the-first-massachusetts-provincial-congress/
LOCATION:Wright Tavern\, 2 Lexington Road\, Concord\, 01742\, United States
CATEGORIES:Revolutionary Stories,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-30-at-12.24.55 PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240704T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240704T201500
DTSTAMP:20240627T192524Z
CREATED:20240625T201751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240627T192524Z
UID:21986-1720119600-1720124100@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now
DESCRIPTION:This dramatic presentation\, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area\, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence.  \nAcross the colonies\, and particularly in Massachusetts\, towns debated what freedom meant to them\, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in the final document mean to them? Costumed reenactors will bring life to the words of the past\, with narration by former State Representative Jay Kaufman.  \nRounding out our evening will be a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. Some of our favorite tunes from the 18th century were highly political\, and many of them were also taken from popular English military music!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-then-now-3/
LOCATION:Lexington Depot\, 13 Depot Square\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Decl-IndependenceLogoFINALOut-1024x532-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lexington History Museums":MAILTO:programs@lexingtonhistory.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230704T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230704T201500
DTSTAMP:20230629T213058Z
CREATED:20230629T213058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230629T213058Z
UID:18656-1688495400-1688501700@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now
DESCRIPTION:This dramatic presentation\, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area\, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. Across the colonies\, and particularly in Massachusetts\, towns debated what freedom meant to them\, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in the final document mean to them? \nCostumed reenactors will bring life to the words of the past\, with narration by former State Representative Jay Kaufman. Rounding out our evening will be a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. Some of our favorite tunes from the 18th century were highly political\, and many of them were also taken from popular English military music! And\, as always\, don’t forget your free Hoodsie cup on the way out!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-then-now-2/
LOCATION:Lexington Depot\, 13 Depot Square\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Decl-IndependenceLogoFINALOut-1024x532-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lexington History Museums":MAILTO:programs@lexingtonhistory.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230704T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230704T150000
DTSTAMP:20230629T212651Z
CREATED:20230629T212651Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230629T212651Z
UID:18653-1688481000-1688482800@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate July 4th at Minute Man! Join park rangers and volunteers as we mark the 245th anniversary of our nation’s independence with a live\, in-person reading of the Declaration of Independence at Concord’s North Bridge. Following the reading\, reenactors representing the 10th Massachusetts Regiment will fire three musket volleys in honor of American Independence.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence/
LOCATION:Minute Man National Historical Park\, 174 Liberty Street\, Concord\, MA\, 01742\, United States
CATEGORIES:Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/466FD6D9-BF04-DB80-9B5EBE9E042965CE.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220704T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220704T220000
DTSTAMP:20220808T170524Z
CREATED:20220701T125337Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220808T170524Z
UID:14477-1656961200-1656972000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Declaring Independence: Then & Now
DESCRIPTION:This dramatic presentation\, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area\, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. Across the colonies\, and particularly in Massachusetts\, towns debated what freedom meant to them\, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in the final document mean to them? \nCostumed reenactors will bring life to the words of the past\, with narration by former Massachusetts State Representative Jay Kaufman. Rounding out our evening will be a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. Some of our favorite tunes from the 18th century were highly political\, and many of them were also taken from popular English military music! \nAnd\, as always\, don’t forget your free Hoodsie cup on the way out!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/declaring-independence-then-now/
LOCATION:Lexington Depot\, 13 Depot Square\, Lexington\, MA\, 02420\, United States
CATEGORIES:Declaring Independence: Then & Now,Living History,Performances
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/declaring-independence-then-and-now_logo-graphic.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lexington History Museums":MAILTO:programs@lexingtonhistory.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR