Events in April 2010

Thursday, APRIL 1, 2010

Poetry Conversations at Longfellow House
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Noon - 1:00 pm in the carriage house
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in open discussions of Longfellow’s poetry. Park Ranger Rob Velella will present poems and lead the discussion, with a different theme on each Thursday. This week’s theme: Longfellow’s Humor.


Thursday, APRIL 8, 2010

Poetry Conversations at Longfellow House
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Noon - 1:00 pm in the carriage house
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in open discussions of Longfellow’s poetry. Park Ranger Rob Velella will present poems and lead the discussion, with a different theme on each Thursday. This week’s theme: Longfellow’s Sadness.


Saturday, APRIL 10, 2010

Meriam’s Corner Exercise
Minute Man National Historical Park, Meriam’s Corner, Lexington Road, Concord
1:00 - 2:00 pm
The start of the park’s annual commemoration of the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Legends of the Revolution: Poetical Myth-making in the 19th Century
Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge
2:00 - 3:00 pm
From “Paul Revere’s Ride” to “The Last Leaf,” 19th-century writers re-imagined the American Revolution—some even created enduring myths which are more legend than truth. Join literary historian Rob Velella, tour guide at the Longfellow National Historic Site and creator of the American Literary Blog, for this walking tour in honor of National Poetry Month. Sponsored by the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery. $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers.

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Minute Man National Historical Park, Paul Revere Capture Site, Route 2A, Lincoln
3:00 - 4:00 pm
The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by several Colonial and British reenactment units, fifes and drums, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere by British army officers in the town of Lincoln, early in the morning of April 19, 1775.


Monday, APRIL 12, 2010

Open House and Lecture on Longfellow’s Inspiration
Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, 1 Whittemore Park (at the intersection of Mystic Street and Massachusetts Avenue), Arlington, Massachusetts
6:00 - 8:30 pm
The museum will open at 6:00 so visitors can tour the galleries and learn about Dallin’s monumental sculpture of Paul Revere. At 7:00, historian Charles Bahne will describe about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s inspiration for and penning of “Paul Revere’s Ride.” For more information, call Sarah Burks at 603-930-6106. Because traffic in central Arlington can be tricky, please consult this map to the Dallin Museum.


Thursday, APRIL 15, 2010

Poetry Conversations at Longfellow House
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Noon - 1:00 pm in the carriage house
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in open discussions of Longfellow’s poetry. Park Ranger Rob Velella will present poems and lead the discussion, with a different theme on each Thursday. This week’s theme: Longfellow’s Heroes (including, of course, Paul Revere).


Saturday, APRIL 17, 2010

Battle Road Reenactment
Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Minute Man National Historical Park, in partnership with hundreds of Colonial and British reenactors, celebrates the opening battle of the American Revolution with a day full of exciting living history activities. At Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln, from 9:30 to 5:30, you will have the chance to talk with reenactors and park rangers, see a historic home and tavern that stood witness to the events of April, 19, 1775, and enjoy a variety of 18th-century activities including demonstrations of musket drill, artillery, crafts, and games. At 8:30 am, the Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight in Concord shatters the peace of the countryside with the sounds of marching men and musketry. British and Colonial Reenactors, Park Rangers and Volunteers bring the fateful morning of April 19, 1775, to life in this stirring commemoration of “the shot heard round the world.” Parking for North Bridge events is on Monument Street; the NPS staff will direct you. At 12:30 pm, the Bloody Angle Tactical Demonstration features hundreds of British and Colonial Reenactors encamped at the Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith house in Lincoln. They will stage a running tactical weapons demonstration along a half-mile of the original Battle Road. Hartwell Tavern is located on Rt 2A in Lincoln; NPS staff will direct you to parking.

Longfellow and “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tours every half hour 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Longfellow’s writing of this iconic poem in 1860. Henry W. Longfellow (portrayed by actor Ted Zalewski of Solo Together) will receive guests in the study of the poet’s mansion. Frances Appleton Wetherall, great-granddaughter of the poet, will present copies of the poem to visitors.

Patriot Fife and Drum
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Enjoy a lively concert of music that accompanied colonists as they marched, danced, wooed their beloveds, and waged war. David Vose and Jim Snarski provide fascinating insight into each selection they perform. Free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1.00. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times.


Sunday, APRIL 18, 2010

Longfellow and “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tours every half hour 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Longfellow’s writing of this iconic poem in 1860. Henry W. Longfellow (portrayed by actor Ted Zalewski of Solo Together) will receive guests in the study of the poet’s mansion. Frances Appleton Wetherall, great-granddaughter of the poet, will present copies of the poem to visitors.

A Visit with Paul Revere
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
1:00, 1:45, and 2:30 pm
On the 235th anniversary of Revere’s famous ride, Michael Lepage brings Boston’s favorite patriot vividly to life in the museum courtyard. Ask him about the details of his midnight ride, inquire about his 16 children, or engage him in conversation about his work as a gold and silversmith. Free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1.00. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times.

Annual Lantern Ceremony
Old North Church, Boston
8:00 pm
Observe the 235th anniversary of the hanging of the lanterns in Old North’s steeple. Tickets are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and may be reserved by calling the Old North Foundation offices (617-523-6676) or via email. This event includes a full reading of “Paul Revere’s Ride”.

Tenth Annual Paul Revere Row Reenactment
Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center and Pier 1
7:00 - 9:45 pm
Witness a dramatic recreation of the night when patriots rowed midnight rider Paul Revere across the harbor from Boston to Charlestown to begin his famous ride towards Lexington and Concord. This year marks the 235th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight row and ride and 150th Anniversary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem. The event begins with dramatic and musical performances at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center. Around 8:30 noted historian, author, and Boston tour guide Charles Bahne will speak on “What Did Longfellow Know and When Did He Know It?” in the course of writing his poem. The speaking program will be followed by a procession from the Visitor Center to the end of the pier in time for the dramatic arrival of the row boat containing costumed rowers and actor reenactor Michael LePage portraying Paul Revere. This event coincides with the Old North Church’s Annual Lantern Ceremony on the other side of the Charles River. Free.

This event is made possible by the cooperation of a variety of organizations including the Old North Church, the Friends of City Square Park, the Hull Lifesaving Museum, the Paul Revere House, the Histrionic Academy, USS Constitution (United States Navy), the United States Coast Guard, Charlestown Working Theater, the City of Boston, Longfellow National Historic Site, and Boston National Historical Park.

“In Their Own Words”
Pilgrim Congregation Church, 55 Coolidge Avenue, Lexington
8:00 – 9:30 pm
A dramatic retelling of the first day of the American Revolution from eyewitness accounts, performed by candlelight by members of the Lexington Historical Society, The Lexington Militia, and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot. Admission: adults $7, children $5. Advance tickets are recommended. Call 781–862–1703.


Tuesday, APRIL 20, 2010

Rachel Revere: A Revolutionary Woman
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
1:00, 1:45, and 2:30 pm
Professional storyteller Joan Gatturna takes on the role of Paul Revere’s second wife. Listen to her dramatic account of a woman’s struggle to hold home and family together in a time of war, blockades, and shortages. Free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1.00. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times.


Wednesday, APRIL 21, 2010

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Visits the North End
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow comes to life to recite his famous poem "Paul Revere’s Ride” and explain its origins. The 19th-century poet will also introduce visitors to the basics of poetry through an informal, drop-in workshop, focusing on rhyme and meter. Portrayed by Rob Velella. Free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1.00. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times.


Thursday, APRIL 22, 2010

Midnight Ride Storytelling Program
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
10:30 - 11:30 am
Find out what really happened on Paul Revere’s ride! Watch a short slide program that separates the facts from the myths, then retrace Revere’s route from his home to the banks of the Charles River. Participants don hats and carry props as they go, taking on the roles of Paul and Rachel Revere, their children, British soldiers, rowers, John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 617-523-2338. $4.50 for children ages 6 to 10 and $4.50 for accompanying adults. Likely programs include visit(s) by Paul Revere or other Colonial-era figures (patriots! loyalists!), Joan Gatturna portraying Rachel Revere, and more! Call for information on this and other programs during this April School Vacation week.

Poetry Conversations at Longfellow House
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Noon - 1:00 pm in the carriage house
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in open discussions of Longfellow’s poetry. Park Ranger Rob Velella will present poems and lead the discussion, with a different theme on each Thursday. This week’s theme: Longfellow at Sea.


Friday, APRIL 23, 2010

Midnight Ride Storytelling Program
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
10:30 - 11:30 am
Find out what really happened on Paul Revere’s ride! Watch a short slide program that separates the facts from the myths, then retrace Revere’s route from his home to the banks of the Charles River. Participants don hats and carry props as they go, taking on the roles of Paul and Rachel Revere, their children, British soldiers, rowers, John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 617-523-2338. $4.50 for children ages 6 to 10 and $4.50 for accompanying adults. Likely programs include visit(s) by Paul Revere or other Colonial-era figures (patriots! loyalists!), Joan Gatturna portraying Rachel Revere, and more! Call for information on this and other programs during this April School Vacation week.


Saturday, APRIL 24, 2010

A Loyalist Perspective on the Revolution
Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston
1:00, 1:45, and 2:30 pm
Hear a first-hand account of the abuses loyalists suffered at the hands of emboldened “patriots.” Michael Lepage takes on the role of Massachusetts Chief Justice Peter Oliver. Free with museum admission: adults $3.50, seniors and college students $3.00, children ages 5-17 $1.00. Members and North End residents admitted free at all times.

Battle Road Heroes
Minute Man National Historical Park, Hartwell Tavern, Route 2A, Lincoln
7:00 - 8:30 pm
You've watched the battle reenactments and the parades. Now you are invited to walk down a candle-lit path to the past. Listen to the personal stories of people who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join Captain William Smith, the Lincoln Minute Men, the Hartwells, drovers, musicians, and His Majesty's soldiers for this special evening of theater and history. Admission for “Battle Road Heroes” is $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Minute Man National Park. Children wearing their Minute Man NHP Junior Ranger badge are welcome to attend the program for free. Recommended for ages 8 and up.


Thursday, APRIL 29, 2010

Poetry Conversations at Longfellow House
Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Noon - 1:00 pm in the carriage house
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in open discussions of Longfellow’s poetry. Park Ranger Rob Velella will present poems and lead the discussion, with a different theme on each Thursday. This week’s theme: Longfellow’s Optimism.