Acton 250

In his third visit, historian dives deeply into the American Revolution

October 11, 2025

by James Conboy

Sept. 30, Francis Faulkner Meeting Room, Acton Town Hall: A balky slide projector was no obstacle for a seasoned presenter like Bob Allison, as he breezed right into his talk, “Beyond the bridge, an Acton 250 lecture,” while technicians finally worked out the kinks. Dr. Allison, a Suffolk…

Acton 250: Discovery Museum hosts Acton 250 bash

April 26, 2025

James ConboyandMiriam Lezak

On April 16, a large crowd flocked to the “Acton 250 Committee’s Remembrance of April 19, 1775”, at the Acton Discovery Museum to enjoy socializing, historical presentations, and delicious food provided by sponsor Roche Brothers; Dirigible Brewing Company offered their historically-based Isaac Davis Brown Ale for purchase. Before…

Acton 250: Robbins Ride reenactment draws a crowd

April 26, 2025

Alissa NicolandThe Acton Exchange Team

About 100 residents gathered at the Faulkner House early Friday evening to see the reenactment of the alarm ride of April 19, 1775. Members of the Acton Minutemen re-enact this event every year, with riders portraying Samuel Prescott and Captain Robbins’ 13-year-old son John Prescott, who rode to…

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

April 26, 2025

by Franny Osman

The annual reenactment of the Acton Minutemen’s march from the Isaac Davis home site at 39 Hayward Rd in Acton to the Old North Bridge in Concord, took place earlier than usual this year, on Friday, April 18. One longtime veteran of the walk commented that the mild…

Celebrate Patriots Day in Acton and beyond

April 12, 2025

by Alissa Nicol

An impressive lineup of events is taking place in and around Acton for next weekend’s commemoration of the beginning of the American Revolution and the town’s role in the fight for independence. On Friday, April 18, 2025, the Acton Minutemen will be completing their annual trek to Concord,…

The Spies of 1775: Fascinating Tales of Mystery, Intrigue, and Marital Infidelity

April 12, 2025

by Ron Parenti

The outcome of any military engagement is difficult to predict, and accurate information about the opposition’s manpower, armaments, and troop movements often plays a critical role in achieving victory. The impending battle between the Colonists and the occupying British army in 1775 would be an asymmetric conflict between…

“Countdown to April 19” approaches culmination

April 5, 2025

by Nancy Knoblock Hunton

To commemorate the start of the American Revolution and Acton’s role in the fight for independence, the town established the Acton 250 Committee. Starting in 2023, this group of a dozen volunteers has presented talks, walks, and other events for residents to learn about Acton’s past. “We’ve been…

Acton 250 Lecture: A snapshot of Acton’s early Black residents

March 8, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

On Feb. 26, “A Snapshot of Acton’s Early Black Residents” featured historical research documenting that Black residents were here when Acton first became a town in 1735, and several fought in the Revolution at the Concord Bridge and other New England battles. This latest event in the Acton…

Stepping up to resist the Crown: Acton heads toward a critical day

November 17, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

Last month, the Acton 250 Committee again welcomed Acton resident and historian Dr. Mary Fuhrer to Town Hall to bring her research and insight to Crown Resistance Day, Oct. 3, 1774. The talk focused primarily on Acton, with some commentary on its nearby neighbors in the context of…

Launch of Isaac Davis Brown Ale

September 21, 2024

by Alissa Nicol

On Wednesday, September 11, the Acton 250 Committee hosted a launch of the commemorative Isaac Davis Brown Ale at Dirigible Brewing Company located at 24 Porter Road in neighboring Littleton (a brewery on Porter Road… how about that?!). The ale was crafted by Dirigible’s head brewer, Colin Knirk,…

A man wearing a green polo shirt stands in front of a screen at the Acton Memorial Library. The screen shows a picture of the Edwards house from many years ago.

A fresh look at an old Acton home

June 21, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

Monday evening, June 9th brought MIT Professor and Acton resident, David Hardt, to the Acton 250 Committee with a highly detailed and engrossing look into the ownership, construction, and history of one of Acton’s oldest homes. The Edwards house, located at 328 Pope Road on the Concord border,…

An image of a man holding a rifle and the words "Acton 250 Revolution.

“Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots”

June 1, 2024

by Anne Forbes

The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road, on Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Acton Memorial Library. The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt, who…

Photo of Acton 250 presentation and presentors.

A Revolution in the News with Historian Joseph Adelman

February 7, 2024

by Greg Jarboe

Looking forward to next year’s 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the Acton 250 Committee is hosting a series of lectures by historians, looking back at what the community was like when our nation was born. The third lecture in the series, by Professor Joseph…

Original front entrance to the Acton Memorial Libray, the older brick building part.

A Historical Walk in Acton’s Center

January 17, 2024

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

The Acton 250 Committee organized its third community event on December 17, a historical walk through the heart of Acton Center. Amy Cole, a local tour guide, historian, and Acton resident, led the walk that explored significant landmarks and shared the rich history embedded in the town center…

A Look at the Daily Life of Massachusetts Colonists, with Special Emphasis on Acton

November 20, 2023

by Kimberly E. B. Hurwitz

On November 13, Acton’s 250 Committee welcomed Dr. Mary Fuhrer as the second speaker in events organized around Acton’s participation in the American Revolution. Dr. Fuhrer, a noted historian who focuses her studies on Colonial New England, is an Acton resident and holds a B.A. from Princeton, an…

Revolutionary War era cannon aimed towards a field

From Crown Tensions to Tea Parties: The Role of Massachusetts in Shaping the Revolution

September 23, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Acton’s inaugural event commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Commencement of the American Revolution took place at Town Hall on the evening of Thursday, September 21. Organized by the Acton 250 Committee, created by the Select Board in August of last year to plan community events to mark…