News & Events

2025 Art Research Fellowship Program

Proposal Submission DEADLINE: April 1, 2025

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Guided House Tours

Opens in May 2025

Visit 105 Brattle Street and see the latest conservation work The Friends have supported in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s study.

The house will re-open in the spring of 2025 ahead of the 250th celebration of General George Washington’s arrival in July of 1775 to take command of the Continental Army.

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Guided Tours at NPS

Powder Alarm

September began with a BANG celebrating the 250th anniversary of the “Powder Alarm” seven months before “the shot heard ‘round the world.”

On September 1, 1774, the royal governor sent soldiers to Somerville and Cambridge to seize gunpowder and other militia supplies.

In response, on September 2 thousands of Middlesex County farmers marched into Cambridge and demanded resignations from all royal appointees in town. By the end of that day, it was clear that the governor no longer commanded any authority in most of Massachusetts. In the fall, towns set up an independent legislature and started to prepare for war.

– J.L. Bell, boston1775.net

Photos by NPS Photo/Charlie Gould and Denise Provost

Powder Alarm

• Powder Alarm •

A Dawn Raid

British soldiers showed up at the Powder House in what is now Somerville on the morning of September 1.
Prepare Arms

Re-enactors attach bayonets to their rifles to keep the mob at bay.
The Redcoats

British soldiers take a powder.
Throwing a Kegger

Kegs of gun powder are seized in the re-enactment of the raid.
March Along Brattle Street

On September 2 thousands of militia men streamed into Cambridge along the same street where J. L. Bell leads a walking tour.
Loyalists Lived Here

The crowd demanded a resignation from Judge Joseph Lee, whose house is now the headquarters of History Cambridge.
Stories of Tories

Scores of local history lovers turn out to enjoy tales from J. L. Bell, Robert J. Allison, and Michele Gabrielson.
Rebellion Along Tory Row

The uprising on September 2 made Loyalists John and Elizabeth Vassall move out of their home, leaving it empty for General Washington.