Event Notices

Saturday Happenings and Fall Events at the Paul Revere House

Photo courtesy of The Paul Revere House
Photo courtesy of The Paul Revere House.

The following event notices are courtesy of the Paul Revere House, located at 19 North Square, Boston:

This fall our “Saturday Happenings” explore a variety of elements of life in 18th century Boston. On Saturday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 presenters will demonstrate crafts, play period music, or represent real people who lived in colonial Boston at the Paul Revere House. Our annual free lecture series, funded by the Lowell Institute and hosted at the Old South Meeting House, explores the ramifications of the Stamp Act in Boston on three Wednesdays this September. Paul Revere will be “at home” on Thursdays in October, make plans to visit with him if you can! Saturday Happenings & Visit with Paul Revere are free with admission to the museum: adults $3.50 seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1. Members and North End residents are admitted free at all times. Through October 31 the Revere House is open daily 9:30-5:15. Beginning on November 1, the museum is open daily 9:30-4:15.

Saturday Happenings at the Paul Revere house:

Rachel Revere: A Revolutionary Woman

September 5th, 1:00, 1:45, 2:30: Who held the Revere family together after Paul set off on his Midnight Ride? Joan Gatturna takes on the role of Paul Revere’s second wife. Enjoy her dramatic account of a woman’s struggle to hold home and family together in a time of war, blockades, and shortages.

Royal Irish Artillery

September 12, 1:00-3:00: Fred Lawson, founder of the reenacting troop brings sample artillery tools copied exactly from period originals. The Royal Irish Artillery fought against Paul Revere at the Siege of Castine in Penobscot Bay.

September 19th 1:00-3:00: To be Announced, see our website for more information.

September 26th 1:00-3:00: To be Announced, see our website for more information.

Colonial Leather Working

October 3, 1:00-3:00: Find out how colonial era leather workers fashioned scabbards, sword belts, and harnesses. Fred Lawson demonstrates and invites visitors to try their hands at punching holes and sewing leather.

Captain Amasa Soper’s Company

October 10, 1:00-3:00: Costumed members of this Revolutionary War reenactment group take on the roles of farmers, printers, and tailors who volunteered to defend Boston harbor after the siege of the city ended in 1776.

Colonial Weaving Demonstration

October 17, 1:00-3:00: Talented craftsman Fred Lawson demonstrates the art of creating cloth by hand and simple machines. Practice weaving on the small looms provided.

Printing Demonstration

October 24 1:00-3:00: Did you know Paul Revere worked as an engraver? Using similar technology R. P. Hale produces copies of his own wood block image of the Revere House on a hand-cranked press. Prints (available for sale) are only made at the Revere House.

Please note: No program on October 31.

Lowell Lecture Series presented by the Paul Revere Memorial Association at Old South Meeting House

Exploring the Stamp Act: Hangings in Effigy, Crowd Actions, and Funerals for “Liberty”

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act Crisis, the Paul Revere Memorial Association, in cooperation with Old South Meeting House, will present a series of lectures exploring the effect of the crisis on Boston citizens from all social classes, and how it has been viewed in succeeding centuries. Funded by the Lowell Institute. Admission Free.

“Troubling their Neighbors”: Boston Mobilizes against the Stamp Act *

September 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm:  Just after the conclusion of the French and Indian War, the Parliament of Great Britain passed a series of policies intended to reshape its American empire. Colonial Boston already had a history of antagonistic dealings with imperial officials, and the townspeople reacted violently in response to the Stamp Act of 1765. Paul Revere belonged to a waterfront community that mobilized a strong coalition against the Stamp Act. Professor Benjamin L. Carp of Brooklyn College, CUNY, will illuminate Boston’s waterfront community, describe the actions of its radical coalition, and explain why Revere and his compatriots were so successful.

The Stamp Act Crisis–What difference did it make?*

September 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm:  What were the long-term consequences of the crisis?  This episode is important for what happened–a broad mobilization of Bostonians, who demolished property and forced the resignation of Crown officials–for how the British government reacted–by rescinding the Stamp Act–and for the way Bostonians would remember these events. Professor Robert J. Allison of Suffolk University, will discuss the overall significance of the Stamp Act Crisis, how it affected all classes of people in different ways, and how it has been viewed in succeeding centuries.

“The Lowest of the Mob”: Exploring the Actions of Sailors and Slaves during the Stamp Act Crisis.*

September 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm:  In the late fall of 1765, colonists wearing “soot, sailors habits and slouch hats” harassed Crown officials, tore down houses of prominent merchants, and violently hounded those suspected of involvement with the “damned stampt paper.” Descriptions of these disorderly, drunken protestors contrasted with accounts of symbolic protest scenes, such as funerals for “Liberty.” Molly Fitzgerald Perry, Lecturer at Christopher Newport University, will analyze the descriptions of Jack Tar sailors alongside those of free and enslaved people of color, recreating the central role played by mariners and African Americans during this moment of imperial disruption.

Funded by the Lowell Institute. Admission free.

All Lectures Take Place at Old South Meeting House: 310 Washington Street at the corner of Milk Street in downtown Boston.

Sign Language interpretation is available upon request (with advance notice.)

Wheelchair accessible. Assistive listening devices are available.

Accessible by MBTA. Use State or Downtown Crossing Stops.

*Denotes a Revolution 250 event. This consortium of historians, historic sites, arts and cultural organizations, and non-profit public history organizations aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of important events leading up to, and through, the American Revolution.

Doors to History: A Visit with Paul Revere

Thursdays
October 1, 8, 15, & 22;  1:00pm – 3:30pm
David Connor portrays Boston’s favorite patriot. Find out what really happened on his midnight ride. Chat with Revere about his other exploits during the Revolution, his family life, or about his work as a silversmith, dentist, and copper plate engraver.  Doors to History programs are made possible by a generous grant from American Express.  Free with museum admission.

THE REVERE HOUSE AT A GLANCE:  On the Freedom Trail in Boston’s historic North End, the Revere House was home to patriot and silversmith Paul Revere from 1770 to 1800. Built around 1680, the Revere House is the oldest building in downtown Boston. For more information about the Revere House, visit www.paulreverehouse.org.