As the birthplace of the Revolution, Massachusetts is at the center of a national movement to acknowledge this historic moment. GBH’s America 250 efforts have four pillars: Convening, Content, Collaboration, and Community. Anchoring our America 250 initiative is the content planned across every GBH program. From ANTIQUES ROADSHOW to The World, to NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, GBH News and more — with partners in Boston and across the Commonwealth, we are creating multi-platform content that connects to themes embedded in the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Explore the collection!
From Colony to Commonwealth
From its harbors to its hills, Massachusetts ignited a revolution against the British crown 250 years ago. Our rolling series, From Colony to Commonwealth: Massachusetts and the American Revolution, reveals spectacular stories about that tumultuous path to self-governance.
Events
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The Legacy of the Battle of Bunker Hill
The Charlestown Historical Society welcomes GBH for an in-person screening of the Bunker Hill battle as depicted in Ken Burns’ new film American Revolution. Following play of a 30-minute section of the film, stay for a discussion hosted by GBH News Features Editor Jennifer Moore, who will sit down with authors Christian Di Spigna, Donald Ryan, Dr. Timothy Reardon, and Boston Archaeologist Joe Bagley.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet descendants of those who fought the Battle of Bunker Hill and get a first look at a new exhibit of rare family artifacts, journals, weapons and more from their family archives. -
MFA Boston Juneteenth Open House
On Friday, June 19, admission to the MFA is free for all Massachusetts residents in honor of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Join us for performances, participate in art-making activities, catch a talk, see art, and more. -
MFA Boston America at 250 Open House
On Saturday, June 20, celebrate the grand opening of the MFA's reimagined 18th-century art exhibit with free admission and a day of exciting programs! -
TEDxBoston: Visions of the Next 250
Massachusetts spent its first 250 years inventing the country. Independence started here. So did public education, the telephone, the polio vaccine, the World Wide Web's first American node, and a long line of the institutions and ideas the rest of the country grew up using. Where Liberty Sparks Innovation is a one-day gathering at GBH about what this state helps invent in the next 250. The people, technologies, and institutions that carry the experiment forward to America at 500.
The day is part of Our America 250, a statewide initiative honoring the Revolution's quarter-millennium by treating it as a starting line rather than a finish. The program convenes scientists, founders, civic leaders, artists, educators, and organizers — including voices the first 250 years left out — for the kind of cross-generational conversation Massachusetts has always been good at hosting.
These talks will look to the future, and serve as living digital time capsules to be reviewed and acted on for the next 250 years.
SCHEDULE
Further details on the event schedule and line-up of speakers can be found here.- 3:00 PM - Welcome Remarks
- 3:05 PM - Block 1
- 4:05 PM - Break
- 4:25 PM - Block 2
- 5:30 PM - Break
- 5:55 PM - Block 3
- 6:55 PM - Closing Remarks
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In Person
Promises of the Revolution Screening & Discussion
You’re invited to the premiere screening of “Promises of the Revolution,” a short-film series partnership between GBH and Mass Humanities.
This event celebrates the power of narrative and storytelling to offer a fresh perspective on the 250th celebration of the American revolution, reimagines our democracy, and brings communities together.
The four “Promises of the Revolution” films chronicle the efforts of present-day Massachusetts residents – from Marblehead to Mashpee - to hold the nation and themselves to the ideals that birthed the Revolution. Weaving together history with the challenges many communities face today, the documentaries show the diverse ways that young writers, Indigenous leaders, archivists, historians and artists tackle the 250th with creativity and courage. Their stories give viewers a window into the way history is made, who writes it, and why it matters to hear from those often left out of the telling.
This film series represents a new partnership between GBH and MassHumanities and reflects their mutual public missions to explore the ideas, people and places that shape the commonwealth.
“Promises” is based on four projects supported by Mass Humanities and conducted by Queer History Boston, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, WordPowered and the Marblehead Museum. The films were produced by Raeshma Razvi, with individual shorts directed by Wes DeShano, Evan Goodchild, and Steven Peters. The films are made possible through support from MA250 and the Eastern Bank Foundation. Promises of the Revolution was created in partnership between GBH and Mass Humanities. The program will premiere Thursday, July 2 at 9pm ET as part of GBH Local Lens.
Please join the filmmakers and the subjects and organizations featured in the documentaries for a half-hour screening and discussion, and evening reception.
Watch Now
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Ken Burns Brings The American Revolution Back to Concord
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns visited the Concord Carlisle High School and introduced a film clip from his upcoming documentary, The American Revolution, highlighting the tense and pivotal battles of Lexington and Concord that ignited the war.Partner:WGBH -
Amerigo: The Search for the American Dream
A sweeping documentary in search of the American Dream through 1,000 voices and 50 states. -
Old North Church Lanterns & Luminaries honors Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, will accept the Third Lantern Award, which is presented annually to an individual who embodies the values symbolized in Old North’s iconic signal lanterns: leadership, courage, hope, tenacity, and active citizenship.Partner:Old North Church -
NOVA: Revolutionary War Weapons
Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.
The Deep Dive
From Our Partners
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Boston Green Academy: We Declare! Challenge
Boston Green Academy (Brighton) 8th grade Civics students read excerpts from The Declaration of Independence. -
Amesbury Middle School: We Declare! Challenger
Fifty-five 8th Grade Students from Amesbury Middle School read and recite the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence for the "We Declare!" Challenge -
Amesbury Middle School: We Declare! Challenge
Ashfield Middle School (Brockton) students read excerpts from The Declaration of Independence.
Recent America 250 Updates
Children's Media and Education
American Archive of Public Broadcasting
