This conference, hosted by the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, is part of a series of interdisciplinary and international meetings designed to re-examine the origins, course and consequences of the American Revolution. Meetings in 2023 mark the 260th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years’ War and the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This gathering is intended to examine the British empire at its moment of great triumph, in 1763, with its enemies defeated and its control spreading from India to the Mississippi; and again at 1773, with its control beginning to slip away in North America as a radical mobilization began against imperial power.

This conference, hosted by the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, is part of a series of interdisciplinary and international meetings designed to re-examine the origins, course and consequences of the American Revolution. Meetings in 2023 mark the 260th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years’ War and the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This gathering is intended to examine the British empire at its moment of great triumph, in 1763, with its enemies defeated and its control spreading from India to the Mississippi; and again at 1773, with its control beginning to slip away in North America as a radical mobilization began against imperial power.

On the night of December 16, 1773, a crowd of colonists led by the Sons of Liberty led a pivotal protest that John Adams praised as an “exertion of popular power” and the British denounced as “dangerous commotions and insurrections.” Dressed up as caricatures of Indigenous Americans, the colonists dumped 342 chests of British East India Company tea into the Boston Harbor to protest “taxation without representation.” As the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party approaches, this teacher workshop will explore the meaning and impact of popular protest in the Revolutionary Era through the lens of the Tea Party and investigate the motivations and ideals of Bostonians on all sides of the conflict.

For a seventh year, MHS is excited to host a reception for staff members, board members, and friends of public history organizations from greater Boston. We invite members of the public history community to join us to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and share accomplishments and new projects. The event is social and includes a short presentation on some of the exciting things happening in the Hub.

Join MHS Chief Historian, Peter Drummey, and Reading Room Supervisor, Rakashi Chand, for a look at some of the material in our collections that explore Asian American history and the history of American merchant trade throughout Asia. Items featured will include a letter between Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and Ellery Sedgwick, the editor of the Atlantic Monthly; watercolor paintings of a Japanese Internment Camp made by Estell Ishigo, a Caucasian woman who followed her Japanese husband to Heart Mountain; a painting of the Harbor at Macao by Lam Qua; and many more treasures from the MHS collections.

The MHS collections contain thousands of images, artifacts, and manuscripts that document critical moments in American history. Peter Drummey, Chief Historian and Stephen T. Riley Librarian will lead this enlightening session highlighting treasures and surprises from the collection. Drummey has been previously featured as a historical commentator on the BBC, PBS, and other television networks. After the program, join us for afternoon tea and treats in the historic Dowse Library.