Lt. Governor Driscoll, Mayor Wu, And Boston Tea Party Reenactment Organizers Join Press Conference Ahead of Boston Tea Party 250th Weekend
Boston Tea Party Reenactment Marks First Major Historic Anniversary Event in Countdown to Nation’s 250th Anniversary in 2026
Boston, MA – America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged with planning and orchestrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, joined key elected and civic leaders for a press conference today that marked the first historic milestone in the lead up to the Semiquincentennial: the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. The press conference kicked off a weekend of commemorative activities including a live reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, which represents the first of many locally driven, grassroots events that America250 will support and work, in partnership with states and territories across the country, to orchestrate.
The event included: Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Mayor Michelle Wu, America250 Chair Rosie Rios, Meet Boston President & CEO and Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary Board of Advisors Co-Chair Martha J. Sheridan, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Executive Director Shawn P. Ford, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jim Rooney, and President & CEO of Revolutionary Spaces Nat Sheidley.
“This is an exciting moment that serves as the historical kick-off on the journey toward the 250th Anniversary. Standing alongside leaders from Boston, I am reminded that this was the spark that ignited a revolution and ultimately led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said America250 Chair, Rosie Rios. “America250 is proud to be a partner of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This historical event symbolizes our nation’s spirit and the desire for self-determination that has been at the heart of the American experiment since its inception. As we march towards our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, we look forward to more grassroots events like the ones this weekend, to ensure the most inclusive milestone in American history.”
“As the former Mayor of Salem, I’m no stranger to the impact history has had on our communities and as Lieutenant Governor, I’m honored to participate in the festivities kicking off America’s 250th birthday,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Boston Tea Party was a catalyst for the American Revolution and was the spark that would eventually lead us to become the country we know and love today. Massachusetts is proud to be home to so many historical events and we look forward to commemorating our nation’s 250th over the next three years, starting with this weekend’s reenactment and celebrations.”
“The Boston Tea Party was the spark that ignited the American Revolution and reaffirmed Boston’s leadership in standing up for our shared future,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited to welcome reenactors from across the country to celebrate this historic anniversary and honor our history and our founding principles of liberty.”
“The Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary is an exciting kickoff for a once in a generation celebration of the history and importance of the amazing events that led to the American Revolution and the independence of the United States!” said State Senator Paul Mark. “I am thrilled to be a part of this historic moment that highlights the leadership and history of Massachusetts and the partnership between our Commonwealth and America250 as we remember our history and celebrate our future as a nation.”
“On behalf of the entire Board of Advisors for the 250thAnniversary and Reenactment, we thank America250 for being such an important sponsor and partner,” said Shawn P. Ford. “Simply put: our goal was to put Boston on the world stage with this anniversary and all 250th anniversaries to come. We did that.”
This weekend’s events – organized by Meet Boston, the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party Board of Advisors, Revolution250, and the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in partnership with America250 – includes a grand-scale live reenactment of the Boston Tea Party at Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall, the Old South Meeting House and at Boston’s Downtown Crossing. Following the reenactment, there will be a lively procession led by fife & drummers to the waterfront, where the Sons of Liberty will destroy 250 pounds of loose tea sent from London’s East India Company, along with tea sent in from all 50 states and citizens around the globe, over the same body of water where the Boston Tea Party took place two and a half centuries ago.
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About America250
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. It is spearheaded by the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its nonprofit supporting organization, America250.org. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Until July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
Meet Boston, the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party Board of Advisors and Revolution 250, a consortium of organizations working together to commemorate the 250th anniversaries of the events that led to the American Revolution, in conjunction with a multitude of organizations in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, are working together to create a series of commemorative programs throughout the entirety of 2023, culminating in a grand-scale, live reenactment celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party which will be taking place on Sat., December 16, 2023. For details of all 2023 programming and information on the major reenactment celebration, visit www.BostonTeaParty250.com; Instagram/Facebook: @bostonteaparty250; Twitter: @BOSTeaParty250.
America’s Field Trip
Engaging students nationwide to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!
A new contest inviting students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to participate in field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.