250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, “No taxation without representation!”
Carolyn Nutt, Massachusetts State Regent

Massachusetts DAR’s 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party weekend was a wonderful experience! Thank you to our special guests from around the country and everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

On Friday December 15, Massachusetts DAR State Chaplain Patricia Karakashian, State Historian Charlene Goddard-Lyle and America 250! State Chair Caroline Bigelow conducted the DAR tour guided buses, which visited the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum at Faneuil Hall, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. The Daughters were delighted to participate in tossing the tea chests overboard at Griffin's Wharf to re-enact the events of the Boston Tea Party. Working up an appetite from DAR tours and the destruction of the tea, Daughters enjoyed a delicious lunch in Abigail’s Tea Room. Massachusetts DAR was honored to dedicate the District II America 250 Patriots Marker at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum on Congress Street Bridge during our visit.

On Friday evening, Daughters and guests gathered at the Omni Parker House for a celebratory banquet with many special guests in attendance. The event was hosted by National Vice Chair of the Boston Tea Party, Edenton Tea Party and other historic tea parties Peggy O’Connor. DAR Historian General Suzanne Heske brought greetings on behalf of President General Pamela Rouse Wright. Additionally, Corresponding Secretary General Janet McFarland, Organizing Secretary General Nancy Schirm Wright, Treasurer General Sherry Edwards and America 250! Committee National Chair Kathryn Walker West addressed the banquet.

Massachusetts own Tuskegee Airman, Honorary Brigadier General Enoch Woodhouse brought salutations from the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts with historical remembrances of his military experiences during WWII in 1944. There was not a dry eye in the audience as the almost 97-year-old General Woodhouse received a standing ovation for his profound and empowering speech. He was awarded with an America 250! Commendation and Certificate for his service, sacrifice, and love of country.

Jane Keegan, past C.A.R. National President, and National Senior President spoke on the history of the Omni Parker House. Several recognizable names built professional resumes at the Omni Parker House. Once upon a time, before fame as a New Orleans restaurateur, Emeril Lagasse was a sous chef; before rising to lead the Muslim black empowerment movement, Malcolm X was a busboy; and decades before becoming a Vietnamese revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh labored at the marble pastry table in the basement kitchen… amazingly still in use!

Michele Gabrielson presented the evening program on the historical importance of chocolate during the Boston Tea Party which included samples of historical types of chocolate. Concluding the event, Peggy O’Connor presented the Governor’s Proclamation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

On Saturday morning December 16, Daughters returned to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum to rededicate the NSDAR America 250 Patriots Marker for the semiquincentennial of the Boston Tea Party. Following the Marker rededication ceremony, Daughters headed to the Granary Burying Ground to lay a wreath on John Hancock’s grave, Suzanne Heske presided over the grave dedication and wreath laying ceremony. The patriotic wreath provided by District I Director, Boston Tea Party, and Honorary Chapter Regent Charlotte Line. An open day of Old Town Trolley Tours with eighteen stops along the Freedom Trail provided adventure as Daughters toured, shopped, and visited with their DAR friends.

Saturday afternoon the Boston Tea Party Chapter, hosted by Chapter Regent Susan Gerow, held a fabulous high tea at the Omni Parker House— the scones were delightful! Sam Adams made an appearance to the surprise of all.

John Adams reminds us of the remarkable event of the Boston Tea Party, “The Die is cast: The People have passed the River and cutt away the Bridge: last Night Three Cargoes of Tea, were emptied into the Harbour. This is the grandest, Event, which has ever yet happened Since, the Controversy, with Britain, opened!” He added, “The Sublimity of it, charms me!”

Saturday evening, Daughters from 19 different states emersed themselves in the festivities, and returned to Griffin’s Wharf by Old Town Trolley for special VIP seating with the 250 Commissioners. With thousands in attendance, history came alive at the spectacular Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary reenactment on Griffin’s Wharf, which culminated with the reenactors spilling tea in the harbor. Boston Harbor became a teapot. The electrifying evening concluded with a stunning fireworks show!

Special thanks to DAR Honorary President General Lynn Forney Young, 250 Commissioner of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and 250 Commissioner Cathy Gillespie for visiting the Daughters at the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Museum and the 250th reenactment event, wonderful highlights of the weekend. Massachusetts DAR are so grateful to all who participated in the weekend’s events from across the nation to make this a once in a lifetime experience.

John Adams wrote on December 17, 1773, “This Destruction of the Tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid and inflexible, and it must have so important Consequences, and so lasting, that I cant but consider it as an Epocha in History.”

The 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party was epic. Huzzah!

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