Reenactment of occupation of Boston by British troops, including arriving by ship

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The British are coming—again!

In October of 1768 the British government sent troops to quell the unrest that had been rising in Boston since the passage of the Townshend Acts. Boston was a town of about 16,000 residents and the arrival of 2,000 soldiers did not calm tensions but rather marked an escalation that would eventually lead to the Boston Massacre.

On Saturday, October 6, nearly 200 reenactors will portray the arrival of the troops by ship in Boston Harbor, their parade through Boston, and encampment on the Common, as well as several interactions between the troops and the residents. The reenactment continues through early afternoon on Sunday.

ABOUT REVOLUTION 250 
The American Revolution began in New England.  Two hundred fifty years ago, the men and women of  Massachusetts resisted attempts to deny them their rights as British citizens. What happened as a result of this struggle changed the world. With this heritage, we, the citizens of the Commonwealth, have a unique role to play in the remembrances of the events that led to the Revolution. Now is the time to create a complete plan for the commemoration that: 
• Explores the complexities that brought our nation into being and continue to impact our culture and values 
• Develops imaginative and inclusive programming that links Revolutionary era ideas with civic engagement 
• Builds public-private partnerships for preservation and conservation of our historic sites and surrounding areas and enhances the infrastructure that interprets them 
• Enhances the Commonwealth’s unique position for economic development through cultural tourism Revolution 250 is a program of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Its operations are overseen by a volunteer advisory committee.

See the schedule below for "Boston Occupied—An insolent parade," and the Revolution 250 site for additional information.

Download the Boston Occupied Brochure here.

 

Saturday, October 6, 2018 
9:00 AMHearing rumors of the Landing of the soldiers, Colonial Bostonians gather on Long Wharf
9:30 AM 1  Landing of the British Troops at Long Wharf; Redcoats disembark
Long boats and ships carrying Redcoats and supplies start to arrive. As the troops disembark, the occupancy of Boston begins, as well as widespread resentment from the colonists
10:45 AM 2  “Insolent Parade” of Redcoats steps off from Long Wharf.
The march will start at Long Wharf, after Redcoats disembark the Liberty Star and long boats. The route will head west up State Street, left on Devonshire, right on Otis, right on Summer, right on Washington, left on Bromfield, left on Tremont, right onto Boston Common
10:50 AM 3  Governor’s Levee at the Old State House – Council Chamber  – Paid Admission Required
Lieutenant Colonel William Dalrymple appears before Govenor Francis Bernard and members of the Council to demand quarters for his troops.
11:00 AMArrival of the troops at the Old State House
12:00 PM 4  Welcoming of the Troops at the Reviewing Stand – Downtown Crossing
The Redcoats arrive at Downtown Crossing where their commanding officers and members of the Boston Selectmen address them. Commanding officers warn troops against the temptation to desert and Town officials, led by John Hancock, express their views on having the soldiers in town.
12:30 PM 5  Arrival of the Troops on Boston Common
Redcoats encamp on Boston Common when the Governor’s Council is unable to offer better quarters. His Majesty’s troops set up a typical 18th-century encampment. This is the Boston Militia’s traditional training ground which causes friction between the two forces as they both use the area to drill
1:30 – 5:30 PMLiving History at the Old State House, Boston Common, the Old South Meeting House & Downtown Crossing area.
2:00 PMBoston Militia Company Drills on Boston Common disturbing the Regular soldiers
2:00 PMRegimental Tea – Roche Bros. hosts the Redcoats and Colonial Citizens for tea and seasonal refreshments. 8 Summer Street
3:00 PMFiring Demonstration by the Redcoats on Boston Common
4:00 PMGrand Review & Trooping of the Colors by the Redcoats on Boston Common
5:30 PMA Sentry Detail runs into members of the Town Watch at the Old State House. An argument ensues over jurisdiction.
8:00 PM 6  Sons of Liberty are accosted by soldiers and a disturbance begins.  Sheriff Greenleaf arrives to read the Riot Act – at Democracy Brewing
A dispute arising between British officers and Boston residents threatens to become violent. Only the timely arrival of Suffolk County Sheriff William Greenleaf to read the Riot Act prevents escalation.
  
Sunday, October 7, 2018 
10:00 AM 7  A Church Service at the Old South Meeting House is rudely interrupted by the regulars changing a sentry post
A church service is rudely interrupted by the regulars changing a sentry post, causing continued discord between the colonists and the Redcoats.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PMBritish Soldiers patrol throughout the Downtown Area of Boston
10:00 AM – 12:00 PMBritish Soldiers Occupy Boston Common  – Drills, Parade, etc.
11:30 AM 8  The Siege of the Manufactory Building; Suffolk University Law School, Sargent Hall
Governor Francis Bernard promised Lt. Col. Dalrymple the use of the Manufactory House for the lodging of soldiers. However, the Manufactory House is home to some of Boston’s poor and indigent citizens who refuse to leave. Sheriff William Greenleaf and a squad of soldiers are sent to forcibly evict them.
1:00 PMTroops break up camp on Boston Common
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PARTNERS

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum 
Bostonian Society/Old State House Museum
Buzzards Bay Rowing Club 
Conventures, Inc. 
Downtown Boston BID Freedom Trail® Foundation 
Garage at Post Office Square 
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau 
Hyatt Regency 
Hull Lifesaving Museum 
Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships 
Massachusetts Historical Society 
Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati 
National Park Service 
Old South Meeting House 
Rafferty Communications 
Suffolk University Strategies 
Multiple Fife and Drum Corps 
Multiple Historical Reenactor Regiments