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Revolutionary Spaces

Revolutionary Spaces connects people to the history and continuing practice of democracy through the intertwined stories of two of the nation’s most iconic sites—Boston’s Old South Meeting House and Old State House. We foster a free and open exchange of ideas, explore history, create gathering places, and preserve and steward historic buildings.

https://revolutionaryspaces.org

Common Threads - Exploring American Ideals

Thu, Jan 19, 2023

Join Revolutionary Spaces, GBH Forum Network, Boston's poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola, and experts in the cultural and historical landscape on January 19th to explore the enduring question, "What ideals should bind us together as a nation?" This past September, Revolutionary Spaces engaged Boston's poet laureate, Porsha Olayiwola, to write a poem inspired by the words of our community. Join this revolutionary group of thought leaders online as Porsha shares her work and we engage in a lively panel discussion about the ideology through which we find fraternity and national identity. This transformative, virtual program is supported through the generosity of the Lowell Foundation, the New England Women's Club Fund, and Mass Humanities.

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A Potent Force The Liberty Tree Flag & The Spirit of American Protest

Tue, Mar 14, 2023

Revolutionary Spaces and Ford Hall Forum unearth a treasure from Revolutionary Spaces' expansive collection, the iconic Liberty Tree Flag, representing the great American tradition of protest.

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Revolutionary Spaces
“To Save This Country” The Boston Tea Party in History

Tue, Jan 10, 2023

Revolutionary Spaces cover the event that became known as “The Boston Tea Party.” Kicking off the 250th anniversary year of this iconic moment in history, this virtual panel provides a nuanced basis for which to understand the The Boston Tea Party. Moderated by Revolutionary Spaces President & CEO Nat Sheidley, acclaimed historians explore how the events preceding the Boston Tea Party led to this historic occasion. We then move, moment by moment, through the meeting and the destruction of the tea, providing commentary and insight. We also discuss the aftermath of December 16, 1773 and its legacy. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Lowell Institute.

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Getting Engaged: Inspiring Civic Bystanders to Action

Thu, Sep 29, 2022

Revolutionary Spaces, GBH News, GBH Forum Network, and Suffolk University are coming together to present an exciting panel discussion on what it takes to motivate young people to vote in contemporary America. Moderated by GBH News correspondent Peter Kadzis, this special afternoon program will feature a subject matter policy expert, a voting rights advocate, a political campaign strategist, and a minority youth activist group representative. With audience participation, the panel will take on issues relating to political persuasion, mobilization, and the power of generational change. Among the enduring questions to be addressed are: how is my voice heard; who speaks for me; and what is my recourse if I am silenced or marginalized. The program will thus aim to explore the who, what, where, when, how, and why of voting among young people in America today.

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A Meditation on Indigenous Life

Tue, Jun 30, 2020

Poetry and visual art by Mashpee Wampanoag poet, artist, and author Robert Peters comes to life in an original, multi-media performance. This premiere performance features Peters’ poetry/art collection “Thirteen Moons,” which evolved through the artist’s personal journey to reclaim traditional culture and to live in a way consistent with his traditional beliefs. A choral reading of the “Thirteen Moons” poetry collection sets the stage for a conversation with Peters and other Indigenous artists. Topics considered include humans’ relationship with the natural world, the meaning of “home” from a Native perspective, and the contributions of Indigenous voices to justice and democracy building today. Image: Artist Image

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Revolutionary Spaces
Commemoration of the Boston Massacre

Thu, Mar 5, 2020

March 5, 2020 marks 250 years since the events that came to be known as the **Boston Massacre**, a confrontation where British soldiers shot and killed several residents on a Boston street as tensions between soldiers and colonists rose to a breaking point. To commemorate the day, Boston leaders tell us about the Boston Massacre victims, including Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, Patrick Carr, and Samuel Maverick.

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Revolutionary Spaces
Jill Lepore: Jane Franklin’s Spectacles

Thu, Jan 16, 2020

Historian Jill Lepore tells the story of Benjamin Franklin’s long-forgotten sister, Jane, and meditates on what it means to write history not from what can be found, but from what has been lost. Presented by the [American Repertory Theater](https://americanrepertorytheater.org/) and [Revolutionary Spaces](https://www.revolutionaryspaces.org/) .

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Massachusetts Women at the Forefront of Suffrage

Thu, Nov 7, 2019

Fredie Kay, Founder and President of Suffrage100MA, provides an overview of the suffrage movement in American history, with special attention to Massachusetts activists who paved the way for women’s suffrage, including African Americans and other marginalized groups. Image: [Pexels.com](http://www.pexels.com/photo/person-dropping-paper-on-box-1550337/) and [Suffrage100](http://suffrage100ma.org/) This program is made possible with funding from the Lowell Institute. ‍

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Revolutionary Spaces
Peddocks Island: Rich History, Vital Future

Thu, Oct 10, 2019

Peddocks Island, a series of drowned drumlins, is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. It's currently the largest of the 34 Boston Harbor Islands that is open to the public. Home to historic Fort Andrews, walking tours, geological features, and archaeological sites, the island is in the midst of an exciting redevelopment planning process led by Boston Harbor Now with the National Park Service and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Cheri Ruane of Weston & Sampson Design Studio, lead consultant for the island’s development plan, and Alice Brown of Boston Harbor Now, discuss fascinating highlights of the island’s past, present, and future. This lecture is part of the series The Boston Harbor Islands - Resilience and Change, co-presented by Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands and Old South Meeting House and co-sponsored by Boston Harbor Now. Image: [Pubic Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peddocks_Island#/media/File:Ft_Andrews_Aerial_1932.jpg)

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Submerged: Boston Sites and the Threat of Climate Change

Fri, Oct 25, 2019

The Boston Harbor Islands contain some of the most intact Native American and historical archaeological sites and landscapes in Boston, and the Harbor’s ancient floor hosts historic shipwrecks and submerged Native sites. Climate change and its associated storms and sea level rise are putting this history at risk. City Archaeologist Joe Bagley discusses the threats to these resources as part of Massachusetts’ Archaeology Month. This talk includes discussion of current and proposed efforts to document archaeological sites in Boston before they are lost.

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Revolutionary Spaces