The Massachusetts Historical Society is pleased to present images of Revolutionary-era portraits and artifacts and provide compelling visual resources to history enthusiasts. This website includes 65 portraits and 48 artifacts. Included are portraits of Continental Army generals George Washington, Benjamin Lincoln, David Cobb, and Henry Jackson; patriots John Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Jonathan Jackson, and Caleb Strong; and loyalists Charles Paxton and Thomas Hutchinson. Artifacts provide a tangible, physical connection to the individuals who witnessed the Revolutionary era. Included are Joseph Warren's sword, pistols owned by Paul Revere and Artemas Ward, and Abigail Adams's pocket.
Explore the images which are arranged by topic, by the names of the people depicted in the portraits or by the type of artifact.
Note: In April 2026, this web feature was edited and two web presentations of portraits have been removed. (The portraits had been at MHS on deposit, but were removed by the owning institution.)
Click on the following images to view detailed, side-by-side portraits.
Paul and Rachel Revere
Two portraits of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette
Two portraits of Thomas Hutchinson
Abigail and John Adams
Two portraits of Abigail Adams
Two portraits of John Adams
Three portraits of George Washington
Funding from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati supported this project.