Celebrate Massachusetts and Special 250th Commemorations

Today, April 18, marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride! The purpose of his ride was to warn the countryside that British troops were advancing. After organizing a signal from the Old North Church—“One if by land, two if by sea”—Revere crossed the Charles River and rode through the night to alert fellow Patriots in Lexington and beyond. Joined by William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, the alarm was raised... and the spark of revolution was lit. The next morning, April 19, 1775, the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolution.

It was fitting for us to visit these sites earlier this week for our Celebrate Massachusetts event! This excursion was conceived to pay homage to the commonwealth by the National Society for her people, places and events during the American Revolution. With the first of many events, such as protests, riots, and the shot heard round the world, to the stalwart leaders such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, Massachusetts coalesced its residents and the other colonies to advance new ideas and with that, Celebrate Massachusetts was launched.

Monday’s group of 112 Daughters and guests walked through the North End of Boston on a crisp April night from the Paul Revere House to his statue, posing for pictures (and looking for cannolis) along the way. Just beyond the statue sits the Old North Church which was built in 1723.  Vicar Matthew Cadwell prepared a prayer drawn from several sources including the Episcopal Church’s first proposed American Book of Common Prayer of 1786 for us which was offered by Patricia Karakashian. The Old North educators thanked the DAR for the Historic Preservation Grant that was used to refurbish the bust of George Washington, which reportedly was considered by the Marquis de Lafayette to be the closest resemblance of Washington he had seen. The grant also provided funds to expose the original 1727 angels painted by John Gibbs on the spandrels near the vaulted ceiling which had been overpainted and hiding their full beauty for over 100 years.   Many availed themselves of the offer to tour the crypt below the chapel which contained remains of both Patriots and the Loyalists.

Members enjoyed tours of the Concord Museum, The Old Manse, or Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House.  Florida daughter Marcea Oetting as Abigail Adams joined us for the day and provided commentary on her views as well as those of her husband, John. The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library was our lunch location and members were greeted with a display of the American Revolution Experience traveling exhibit and were encouraged to tour the Museum. Following lunch, an America 250 Patriots Marker dedication ceremony and wreath laying was conducted indoors, with Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Nutt and Vice President General Paula Renkas laying the wreath. The Marker, a gift from the Massachusetts State Society sits prominently on the corner of the museum property. Rich Elliot, Museum Executive Director, spoke briefly about the new exhibit Protest and Promise, The American Revolution in Lexington. He was presented with the America 250 Commendation and Certificate by Charlene Goddard-Lyle and State Chair, America 250! Committee, Caroline Bigelow. The skies cleared and the group traveled to the marker for photographs.

The groups separated for quick visits to the Monroe Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House or Buckman Tavern.

The concluding event was a banquet with keynote speaker Dr. Robert J. Allison, President of the Revolution 250 of Boston.  Dr. Allison used Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Concord Hymn to weave the story of the American Revolution in Massachusetts and challenged us to define when the movement for independence began.  Charlene Goddard-Lyle and Caroline Bigelow presented Dr. Allison with the America 250 Commendation and Certificate. M.S.C.A.R. Past State President Caylee Cassarino brought greetings. To conclude the evening, Cathryn Firenze Massachusetts Daughter, recited the poem Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Celebrate Massachusetts honored our Patriots and was a joyful commemoration of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”.