250th Anniv. Comm. Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery
January 16 & 17, 2026
Monterey
Friday Jan 16 at the Monterey Library:
6:00 PM: Exhibit opens – Knox Trail History, 1976 Reenactors, Memorabilia
Opening Reception. Refreshments provided by Friends of the Monterey Library
7:00 PM: Program begins at Library
Introductory remarks by the three sponsors: Mark Makuc, Heather Kowalski, Rob Hoogs
Knox Trail media show by Jonathan Barkan, brief intro comments
Talk/Slide Show about the Bicentennial commemoration of the Knox Trail in Monterey, Rob Hoogs and Mark Makuc
8:00: Library closes
Saturday Jan. 17 at the Library:
9:00 AM: Exhibit opens. Coee, juice, pastries, etc.
10:00: Illustrated Talk by Rob Hoogs, Henry Knox and the Noble Train of Cannons through
Monterey and the Greenwoods
11:00: Knox Trail media show, talk by Jonathan Barkan about Henry Knox, 1776 Knox Noble Train
of Cannons, Bicentennial Reenactment, and remastering 1976 slide show for 2026, Q&A
12:30: Snacks, Light Lunch by Friends of the Monterey Library
Saturday Jan. 17 at the Bidwell House Museum:
2:00–4:00 Bidwell House: Outside! Dress for cold and walking on snow.
Gather around Bonfire in Lye Pot, Hot mulled cider
Rob Hoogs introduction about Knox Trail and Henry Knox through Monterey carpool to Brett Road; Rob Hoogs leads a Walk on a section of the old Knox
Trail – about ½ mile each way. Imagine the teamsters pulling 60 tons of cannons through these rough roads and mountains!
Saturday Jan. 17 (PM) at the Library:
7:00 PM: Library Opens; exhibit open for viewing; light refreshments
7:30 PM-8:30: Panel discussion with several Knox Trail historians: Rob Hoogs, Bernie Drew, Gary Leveille, Ron Bernard, and Tom Ragusa; new book: “Ye Trodden Path”. Copies of book will be
available
For schedule updates, visit bidwellhousemuseum.org/events
January 17, 2026
Wilbraham
Old Stone Bridge (2957 Boston Road) – 9:00 a.m.
The program features opportunities for participants to experience the Knox Trail in Wilbraham through outdoor exploration and community engagement. The program starts at the Old Stone Bridge from which there is a guided walking tour to the Knox marker on Main Street. At 10:00 a.m. there is a historical talk and Q&A at the Meeting house (450 Main Street) after which participants will be encouraged to go to the event in Springfield.
Springfield
1:00 p.m. – Springfield Armory
Join us at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site at 1:00 p.m. to commemorate Henry Knox’s journey across Massachusetts.
A short procession will precede the event at the armory as Knox and a small portion of his “Noble Train” make their appearance at the armory.
January 22, 2026
Monterey
Monterey Library: 7:00 p.m.
A Talk by Tom Ragusa entitled “Ye Trodden Path, Finding the Knox Trail in Sandisfield and Otis.”
January 24, 2026
Stockbridge
Please join us for a day of programs and events to mark the 250th anniversary of the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Throughout the day:
Visit the Mission House, which will be set up as a tavern with hot drinks and baked goods available.
Discuss 18th century food and the challenges of provisioning the Continental Army, with Dennis Picard (Library lobby).
Meet some of Prado del Lana’s Lincoln Longwool sheep on the Library lawn, and engage in two wool-related activities: “skirting” a fleece and dry felting.
Explore cooking and domestic material culture in the Museum and Procter Gallery with staff from the Bidwell House Museum.
First-Person Interpretation, 10:00am – 2:00pm:
Theodore Sedgwick preparing for the Elizabeth Freeman case (Library, Bement Room).
Anna Bingham and Abigail Dwight discussing 18th century tavern keeping and running a business as a woman (Red Lion Inn, small parlor).
Timothy and Rhoda Edwards: uncle and aunt of Aaron Burr, storekeepers, Judge, Deacon (Mission House).
Thomas Williams – highest ranking military officer from Stockbridge to die during the war – discussing the Siege of Boston and other military and local topics.
Members of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment.
Noon – 2:00pm: A demonstration of Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery featuring costumed educators from Fort Ticonderoga, a non-firing reproduction cannon, and two (friendly) oxen (Bidwell Park, next to the Town Offices).
2:00 – 3:00pm: Reenactor interactions on the Library lawn.
3:00 – 4:00pm: Talk by Gregg Duffek and JoAnn Schedler, Mohican Veterans (Library, Bement Room)
Please check the event website for the latest programs and schedule information: https://stockbridgelibrary.
Marlborough
January 29, 2026
Cambridge
Tavern Talk: Henry Knox and His Noble Train of Artillery, a 2-Part Series
Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th, 7pm at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville.
January 29, 2026
Cambridge
Longfellow House-Washington Headquarters
105 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Mark the 250th anniversary of the return of the Knox expedition with fresh perspectives on its significance from historian and author J.L. Bell. On January 18, 1776, Gen. William Heath wrote, “Col. Knox, of the artillery, came to camp. He brought from Ticonderoga a fine train of artillery.” Those 54 guns would nearly double the size of the Continental artillery force. But Gen. George Washington and his commanders still had to figure out the best way to use their new ordnance before they could drive the British military out of Boston.
J.L. Bell is the author of The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War and proprietor of Boston1775.net
This event is funded through the generous support of America’s National Parks, a non-profit partner of the National Park Service.
Monterey
Monterey Library: 7:00 p.m.
A talk by Bernard Drew entitled “The Knox Trail “War Road” through the South Berkshires”
January 31, 2026
Worcester
2:00 p.m. – AC Marriott Hotel, Downtown Worcester
Join us at the AC Marriott Hotel, Downtown Worcester at 2:00 p.m. to commemorate Henry Knox’s journey across Massachusetts.
A short procession will precede the event in the hotel as Knox and a small portion of his “Noble Train” make their appearance at Worcester Common.
January 31 & February 1, 2026
Sturbridge
Visit Old Sturbridge Village this January for a one-of-a-kind event, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery. In partnership with Fort Ticonderoga, this unique event explores the Noble Train as it went from Fort Ticonderoga through central Massachusetts, and onward to Boston. Join staff from Fort Ticonderoga and reenactors from Knox’s Regiment of Artillery to discover how Henry Knox’s achieved the 300 mile journey to deliver 59 artillery pieces to Dorchester Heights. Examine reproduction artillery tools and ammunition to understand the importance of artillery in the Revolutionary War. Explore the historic Village and interact with costumed historians as they demonstrate the facets of daily life after the Revolution, hear stories from reenacted patriots who marched on the Trail, see cannon demonstrations, and learn about the impacts the Revolution had on people in the 1830s.
February 8, 2026
Framingham
2:00 p.m. – Village Hall
Join us at Framingham’s Village Hall at 2:00 p.m. to commemorate Henry Knox’s journey across Massachusetts.
A short procession will precede the event in the hall as Knox and a small portion of his “Noble Train” make their appearance at the Village Hall.
Monterey
Monterey Library: 7:00 p.m.
A talk by Gary Leveille entitled “The Knox Trail – Hillsdale to Great Barrington.”
February 9, 2026
Cambridge
Tavern Talk: Henry Knox and His Noble Train of Artillery, a 2-Part Series
Somerville Museum presents a 2-part Tavern Talk with Dan Breen on January 26th and February 9th, 7pm at Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville.
February 21, 2026
Lincoln
“To Break The Siege: The Noble Train Arrives”
Saturday, February 21, 2026
10:00 am until 4:30 pm
Hartwell Tavern
In late January 1776, a “Noble Train,” of artillery commanded by Colonel Henry Knox, arrived outside of Boston. These cannon played a key role in breaking the siege and providing the continental army with their first campaign victory in the war. We invite you to join us on February 21, 2026 at the Hartwell tavern to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Knox’s Train arriving and outfitting for battle. Come witness history come to life as the artillerists of Washington’s army transport their guns via ox drawn wagons, demonstrate historic trades, and of course… conduct artillery firing demonstrations. We also welcome you to warm up in the tavern and learn about the experiences of civilians during the siege of Boston.
Schedule of events:
10:00 am~ Living history encampment at Hartwell Tavern opens.
10:00 am~ Arrival of artillery via oxen.
11:00 am~ Demonstration of moving cannons with oxen.
2:00 pm~ Artillery firing demonstration.
3:00 pm~ Demonstration of moving cannons with oxen.
4:00 pm~ Artillery firing demonstration.
4:30 pm~ Site closes
This event is co-sponsored by Fort Ticonderoga and the Friends of Minute Man National Park
February 28, 2026
Monterey
Monterey Library: 7:00 p.m.
A talk by Ron Bernard on Local Taverns that Supported Knox Teamsters.
March 7, 2026
Roxbury
Join us at Roxbury’s First Parish Church and the Dillaway-Thomas House at 2:00 p.m. to commemorate Henry Knox’s journey across Massachusetts.
A short procession will precede the event in the hall as Knox and a small portion of his “Noble Train” make their appearance at the Headquarters of General John Thomas
March 17, 2026
South Boston – EVACUATION DAY!!
10:00 a.m. – Dorchester Heights
Join us at the Dorchester Heights at 10:00 a.m. to commemorate Henry Knox’s completing his journey across Massachusetts leading to the Evacuation of Boston.
A short procession will precede the event from St. Augustine’s Chapel to Dorchester Heights via Telegraph Street as Knox and a small portion of his “Noble Train” make their appearance at the armory.
