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As the 250th anniversary of the american revolution approaches the Lynnfield Historical Society has made initial plans for an appropriate commemoration of the community’s direct involvement, and will mark April 19, 2025 with a townwide observance. We have a full slate of activities that began in April, 2024 leading up to a big celebration on Patriots Day, 2025-the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary the birth of our nation. Below you can find an outline of planned events with details to be coming soon.
See: Lynn's own tea party: Lynn Rejects Tea
See: Lynnfield and Rev 250 IllumiNation, Patriot Vigil
See: Lynn's own tea party: Lynn Rejects Tea
See: Lynnfield and Rev 250 IllumiNation, Patriot Vigil
Watch our YouTube Channel for new Lynn End in the Revolution Content
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #1
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #2, Three Fall at Menotomy
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #3, Where They Hailed From
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #4, Captain Bancroft's Company
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #5, Martin Herrick's Ride
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #6, The Road to Menotomy
Lynnfield's Road to Revolution, Episode #7, Lynnfield's Patriots Day Weekend 250
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On Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th, Lynnfield Historical Society celebrated the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in fine style.
On Friday, we presented an original play, written by Dianne and Alan Foulds.
The play was performed in the chapel of the historic Centre Congregational Church. We brought to life ten patriots who represented the village of Lynn-end (which became Lynnfield in 1782) for a retelling of the events of that fateful day 250 years ago.
The Plot: Lynn-Enders from 1775 tell their stories of the opening day of the American Revolution. Their accounts come from official records, history books, and legends. Woven together they portray the events of that momentous April from 250 years ago.
The cast:
Narrator: Alan Foulds
Captain Bancroft: Tad Stephanak
Lieutenant Joseph Gowing: Christopher Flherty
Daniel Mansfield: Elyssa Bjorkman
Martin Herrick: Allan Eyden
Young Benjamin Adams: Carolyn Sarro
Rev. Benjamin Adams: Rev. Tom Bentley
Timothy Munroe: Ron Sarro
Daniel Townsend: Dave Bjorkman
Thomas Townsend: Roy Sorli
Zerviah Townsend: Joan Colucci Lemberger
Poem Reader: Helen Breen
Floor Manager/Lighting: Bob Gillon
Costumes: Erline Trites
Music: Ron Sarro
Sound: Matt Lassiter
Publicity: Ace Foulds, Helen Breen
The cast and crew remained after the play for a meet and greet reception in the church narthex where we enjoyed a bounty of refreshments provided by society members. Our refreshment committee outdid themselves. Kudos to:
Janet Everson, Chris Noonan, Fran Richard, Cathy Slater, Linda Limauro, Ann Marie Pendola, Eileen Benham, Nancy DeMarco, Patti Sarrro
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On Saturday, we teamed up with the Lynnfield Public Library and the Lynnfield Moms Group to the delight of Lynnfield's young and young at heart crowd. Lynnfield Historical Society member, Patricia Campbell, beguiled the audience with a spirited reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, " Paul Revere's Ride" while others took part in coloring and crafts, making their own tricorn hats.
They were led from the library across to the common by Lynnfield Historical Society president, Ron Sarro, and a fifer and drummer.
Alan Foulds told the audience what they needed to know about our own midnight rider, Martin Herrick, finishing in time to see Martin (Ann Marie Greenleaf) arrive on horseback(Fig) with a dire warning "Stand to your arms, the regulars are out"
Herrick and the fifer and drummer led the band of patriots and followers off to battle, in the same way our original heroes headed to Menotomy (now Arlington).
Solemn reminders of the import of the day included:
A wreath laying honoring the fallen, with an address by Lynnfield's Veterans Agent, Bruce Seigel and Taps performed by Bob Gillon
Dave McKenna, of the Danvers Alarm List, provided musket demonstrations.
Presentation of Mourn Arms, led by Elyssa Bjorkman
President Ron Sarro returned to the mic to entertain with 18th century music
The Reading Community Concert Band ended the festivities with a rousing patriotic concert.
While all these activities were taking place, society members and friends hosted a "Patriot Gallery" and hospitality tent on the common. The gallery consisted of biographical sketches of the thirty-eight Lynnfielders who participated in the military action on April 19th, 1775. These were mounted on lawn signs placed on the common in a way that the public could walk around and easily read. In addition, we conducted a scavenger hunt with some great prizes for those who found the correct answers from the sketches.
In the hospitality tent we displayed colonial-era needlework and toys and provided water for all.
What was really special was the participation of direct descendants of Townsend, Wellmen, Smith, Harte, Newhall, and Upton families. We are so grateful they shared their lineage and their presence with us. We intend to post a link to the Lynnfield Media Studio's coverage of the two-days when it is available. For now, please enjoy this slide show of scenes taken by society members.
On Friday, we presented an original play, written by Dianne and Alan Foulds.
The play was performed in the chapel of the historic Centre Congregational Church. We brought to life ten patriots who represented the village of Lynn-end (which became Lynnfield in 1782) for a retelling of the events of that fateful day 250 years ago.
The Plot: Lynn-Enders from 1775 tell their stories of the opening day of the American Revolution. Their accounts come from official records, history books, and legends. Woven together they portray the events of that momentous April from 250 years ago.
The cast:
Narrator: Alan Foulds
Captain Bancroft: Tad Stephanak
Lieutenant Joseph Gowing: Christopher Flherty
Daniel Mansfield: Elyssa Bjorkman
Martin Herrick: Allan Eyden
Young Benjamin Adams: Carolyn Sarro
Rev. Benjamin Adams: Rev. Tom Bentley
Timothy Munroe: Ron Sarro
Daniel Townsend: Dave Bjorkman
Thomas Townsend: Roy Sorli
Zerviah Townsend: Joan Colucci Lemberger
Poem Reader: Helen Breen
Floor Manager/Lighting: Bob Gillon
Costumes: Erline Trites
Music: Ron Sarro
Sound: Matt Lassiter
Publicity: Ace Foulds, Helen Breen
The cast and crew remained after the play for a meet and greet reception in the church narthex where we enjoyed a bounty of refreshments provided by society members. Our refreshment committee outdid themselves. Kudos to:
Janet Everson, Chris Noonan, Fran Richard, Cathy Slater, Linda Limauro, Ann Marie Pendola, Eileen Benham, Nancy DeMarco, Patti Sarrro
*************************************************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************************************************
On Saturday, we teamed up with the Lynnfield Public Library and the Lynnfield Moms Group to the delight of Lynnfield's young and young at heart crowd. Lynnfield Historical Society member, Patricia Campbell, beguiled the audience with a spirited reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, " Paul Revere's Ride" while others took part in coloring and crafts, making their own tricorn hats.
They were led from the library across to the common by Lynnfield Historical Society president, Ron Sarro, and a fifer and drummer.
Alan Foulds told the audience what they needed to know about our own midnight rider, Martin Herrick, finishing in time to see Martin (Ann Marie Greenleaf) arrive on horseback(Fig) with a dire warning "Stand to your arms, the regulars are out"
Herrick and the fifer and drummer led the band of patriots and followers off to battle, in the same way our original heroes headed to Menotomy (now Arlington).
Solemn reminders of the import of the day included:
A wreath laying honoring the fallen, with an address by Lynnfield's Veterans Agent, Bruce Seigel and Taps performed by Bob Gillon
Dave McKenna, of the Danvers Alarm List, provided musket demonstrations.
Presentation of Mourn Arms, led by Elyssa Bjorkman
President Ron Sarro returned to the mic to entertain with 18th century music
The Reading Community Concert Band ended the festivities with a rousing patriotic concert.
While all these activities were taking place, society members and friends hosted a "Patriot Gallery" and hospitality tent on the common. The gallery consisted of biographical sketches of the thirty-eight Lynnfielders who participated in the military action on April 19th, 1775. These were mounted on lawn signs placed on the common in a way that the public could walk around and easily read. In addition, we conducted a scavenger hunt with some great prizes for those who found the correct answers from the sketches.
In the hospitality tent we displayed colonial-era needlework and toys and provided water for all.
What was really special was the participation of direct descendants of Townsend, Wellmen, Smith, Harte, Newhall, and Upton families. We are so grateful they shared their lineage and their presence with us. We intend to post a link to the Lynnfield Media Studio's coverage of the two-days when it is available. For now, please enjoy this slide show of scenes taken by society members.
