About A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge
The Trustees is pleased to partner with the Stockbridge Library for A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge. Join us at the Mission House, where the scene of a Revolutionary-era tavern comes to life as we help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Join us at the Mission House from 10am–2pm and step back in time while warming up with hot drinks and baked goods available for purchase. Costumed interpreters portraying Timothy and Rhoda Edwards—storekeepers, community leaders, and relatives of Aaron Burr—will bring Revolutionary Stockbridge to life, sharing stories of shop culture and everyday colonial life. Event “tokens,” available at the Stockbridge Library circulation desk and the Red Lion Inn reception desk, may be redeemed for a baked good at the Mission House.
In addition to activities at the Mission House, A Day in Revolutionary Stockbridge features a full slate of programs and events taking place throughout downtown Stockbridge, hosted by the Stockbridge Library in partnership with local and regional organizations. Highlights include first-person historical interpretation, hands-on demonstrations, talks, family-friendly activities, and a dramatic reenactment of Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery with costumed educators and oxen.
Maps of Main Street and printed programs will be available on the day of the event at the Stockbridge Library and the Red Lion Inn.
See the full schedule of events below, or visit the Stockbridge Library’s website for additional details here.
Full Schedule of Events
Throughout the Day
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Visit the Mission House, set up as a Revolutionary-era tavern, with hot drinks and baked goods available.
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Discuss 18th-century foodways and the challenges of provisioning the Continental Army with Dennis Picard (Stockbridge Library Lobby).
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Meet some of Prado del Lana’s Lincoln Longwool sheep on the library lawn and participate in wool-related activities, including skirting a fleece and dry felting.
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Explore cooking and domestic material culture in the museum and Procter Gallery with staff from the Bidwell House Museum.
First-Person Interpretation | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
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Theodore Sedgwick, preparing for the Elizabeth Freeman case (Stockbridge Town Library – Bement Room)
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Anna Bingham and Abigail Dwight, discussing 18th-century tavern keeping and running a business as women (Red Lion Inn – Small Parlor)
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Thomas Williams, highest-ranking military officer from Stockbridge to die during the war, discussing the Siege of Boston and local military history (various downtown locations)
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Timothy and Rhoda Edwards, storekeepers, community leaders, and relatives of Aaron Burr (Mission House)
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Members of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment (various downtown locations)
Noon – 2:00 pm
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Demonstration of Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery, featuring costumed educators from Fort Ticonderoga, a non-firing reproduction cannon, and two (friendly) oxen
(Bidwell Park, next to the Town Offices)
2:00 – 3:00 pm
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Stockbridge Committee of Safety court scenario
(Stockbridge Town Library Lobby)
3:00 – 4:00 pm
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Talk by Gregg Duffek and JoAnn Schedler, Mohican Veterans
(Stockbridge Town Library – Bement Room)
This event is associated with Massachusetts 250 and Berkshires 250.
