250th Anniversary of Liberty Tree Protests
July 01, 2015- 250th Anniversary of Liberty Tree Protests
August 14 marks the 250th anniversary of the day when a group of Bostonians came together at the site of the “Liberty Tree” to protest Parliament’s enactment of the Stamp Act. The original site of the Liberty Tree is at the corner of Washington and Essex Streets, and during these tumultuous times, 250 years ago, this location bristled as ordinary people called for political change and debated what form the change should take. Revolution 250, a group of historical organizations in Boston, has worked with Medicine Wheel Productions to create 108 copper lanterns modeled on the historic ones that were hung on the Liberty Tree in 1765. Five community groups have decorated the lanterns and, on the evening of August 14, will carry them in an illuminated procession to hang them at the location of the Liberty Tree. Citizens from Boston and beyond are invited to come to experience the Liberty Tree and commemorate an event that many consider the first step towards the American Revolution. Follow Revolution 250 on Facebook @ Revolution250 and on Twitter @REV250BOS.
This project is being made possible with support from the Boston National Historical Park, Eastern National, and is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administrated by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
Procession and light installation to commemorate the 250 anniversary of the Stamp Act protests.
This summer Boston embarks on a decade-long series of 250th-anniversary events celebrating the city’s seminal role in the fight for American Independence. A collaborative forum called Revolution 250 – comprised of historians, historic sites, non-profit organizations, and cultural tour groups – has come together to conceptualize, develop and promote programming and special events associated with key anniversaries.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Revolution 250 activities will include a wide array of programs designed to engage and educate people of all ages, Massachusetts residents and visitors alike. Thus far, organizations such as the Boston National Historical Park/National Park Service, Boston Public Library, Massachusetts Historical Society, Old North Church, Old South Meeting House, and the Old State House/Bostonian Society have all hosted seminars or unveiled exhibitions as part of Revolution 250 programming. In addition to ongoing programming, Revolution 250 will build momentum around key anniversaries.