Acton Town Hall, Room 204

In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, numerous civilians found themselves trapped within Boston, encircled by the newly formed Massachusetts Grand Army. The constant fear of an American assault, coupled with outbreaks of disease and the erosion of civil liberties under martial rule fostered an atmosphere of desperation. The experiences of those trapped behind enemy lines unveil another dimension of the Revolution: the quiet endurance of ordinary men, women, and children who faced hunger, fear, and hardship in their struggle to survive.  Author and Historian Alexander Cain will explain this difficult period on history. Remote Participation:

In early 1776, the young Continental Army colonel Henry Knox moved dozens of heavy cannons and mortars from Lake Champlain to the siege lines around Boston; one of the most famous stories from the Revolutionary War. And like many famous stories, it embodies a fair amount of legend and lore. This talk sorts out what we know, what we only think we know, and what we should know about how Knox brought this “noble train of artillery” that helped to make all of Massachusetts independent. J. L. Bell maintains the Boston1775.net website, offering daily helpings of history, analysis, and unabashed