Massachusetts 250 Prepares for Revolutionary Celebration

Surrounded by historical reenactors in tricorn hats and to the sound of the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums, Healey announced that the Commonwealth was ready for a revolutionary celebration.

“Massachusetts, we are a state that has led in the past and is now inventing the future,” Healey said, standing in front of the State House, where an MA250 banner hung on the portico. “We led a revolution to make America an inclusive and equitable democracy, and with Massachusetts 250, we will continue to do just that.”

Healey announced the first of two rounds of grants ranging from $7,500 to $75,000 to fund ongoing celebrations and programs through July 4, 2026. A total of $1.5 million in grants were awarded to 37 cities and organizations to encourage state-level participation.

“The more people that get involved, the bigger the boost it will be for our state,” Healey said.

Grant recipients include the cities of Concord and Lexington, site of some of the most famous battles of the American Revolution, as well as cities north and south of Boston, local historical societies and museums.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said MA250 also aims to bring to the forefront stories that have never been told before.

The Black History Museum, with locations in Boston and Nantucket, has received $75,000 to enhance its “Black Voices of the Revolution” digital exhibit with never-before-seen objects and artificial intelligence features.

Friends of Doherty Park received a $10,000 award for creating a Lego mosaic of Paul Revere, which will be assembled in partnership with the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club and displayed in the Bunker Hill Battle of Doherty Park Day Parade.

“What makes Boston and Massachusetts so special is that we have always been a place where people with big ideas who want to change the world come,” Wu said.

Volunteers handed out red, white and blue MA 250 pins, and groups held signs that read, “Massachusetts is the state where new things happen.”

“How many states can say they invented democracy, marriage equality and basketball?” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll asked as the crowd cheered.

Massachusetts joined the national celebration when America 250 took part in the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 2023. It drew thousands of people to watch a grand reenactment of the throwing of the tea into Boston Harbor.

A second round of grant funding will be announced closer to 2026. “Everyone should start planning some type of event,” Driscoll said.

Guests invited to the kick-off said they were looking forward to the upcoming celebrations.

“We’re here to show that history is alive among the students of Massachusetts,” said Ilyse Rubin, a teacher at Stoneham High School, who attended the event with several students.

“It’s really cool that we have the opportunity to come here,” said Margaret Tilden, 15, a Stoneham student. “We’re celebrating Massachusetts, it’s a very historic place that should be celebrated.”

---

Izzy Bryars can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @izzybryars.