Secretary Galvin Displays Revolutionary Treasures, to Kick Off 250th Anniversary Celebrations

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence next year, Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin is kick-starting the celebrations by highlighting the role that Massachusetts played at the start of the American Revolution. On March 17, one year out from the 250th anniversary of the retreat of British troops from Boston, Galvin will unveil a new exhibit at the Commonwealth Museum, displaying Revolutionary Era treasures from the Massachusetts Archives.

Galvin, who chairs the Massachusetts Historical Commission and oversees the Massachusetts State Archives, will unveil the special exhibit, “Upon Such Ground: Massachusetts and the Birth of the Revolution,” at a private reception held on the evening of Evacuation Day. It will open to the public on the following day, March 18, and run through Bunker Hill Day, June 17.

To underscore the seminal role that Massachusetts played in America’s separation from Great Britain and founding of a new republic, the exhibit features original archival documents and artifacts owned by the Commonwealth, as well as contributions from some of the nation’s premier Colonial and Revolutionary period scholars.

“This exhibit is a celebration of the unique and pivotal role that Massachusetts had in the founding of our country,” Galvin said. “It all began here, so it is appropriate that the 250th Anniversary celebrations also begin here.”

Among other treasures, the exhibit will include a drum used at the Battle of Bunker Hill; a bill from Paul Revere for a series of rides; a sword used by Major John Buttrick, who gave the order to fire on the British at Concord; the Boston Massacre trial papers; and a letter from John Hancock, appointing officers to command Continental forces.

The Commonwealth Museum is located inside the Massachusetts State Archives building at 220 Morrissey Blvd., in Dorchester, across from the JFK Presidential Library. Parking and admission for visitors is free. Additional information can be found at www.CommonwealthMuseum.org.