Upon Such Ground: Massachusetts and the Birth of a Revolution

As the kickoff of a series of celebratory events leading up to the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, the Commonwealth Museum will be hosting a special exhibit highlighting the seminal role that Massachusetts played in our separation from Great Britain and the founding of a new republic.

This special exhibit, entitled Upon Such Ground: Massachusetts and the Birth of the Revolution, features original archival documents and artifacts from the collections of the Massachusetts Archives, as well as contributions from some of the nation’s premier Colonial and Revolutionary period scholars.

Exhibit highlights include:

• A drum used at the Battle of Bunker Hill
• A bill from Paul Revere, charging the Massachusetts Committee of Safety for a series of rides
• Paul Revere’s engraving plate of the occupation of Boston in 1768
• The sword of Major John Buttrick, the officer who gave the order to fire on the British at Concord’s North Bridge
• The Boston Massacre trial papers, relating to the prosecution of British soldiers
• The Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George III and often cited as a contributing cause of the American Revolution
• A letter from John Hancock to the Provincial Congress, sending a list of appointments of officers to command Continental forces
• Discharge papers of African-American veterans, signed by George Washington

The exhibit opens on March 18, 2025, following Evacuation Day, a Suffolk County holiday that marks the retreat of British forces from Boston on March 17, 1776. The exhibit will remain open through Bunker Hill Day, June 17, 2025.

As always, admission and parking is free. The exhibit will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day, Monday – Friday.

Items on Display

Paul Revere invoice for a series of rides, May 1775.

---

Copper engraving plate of the occupation of Boston 1768 by Paul Revere.