Lots of people have been working for years to plan events together for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. I have created a separate America 250 Exeter page where you can find all the details for any 250 event happening in Exeter this year.
Things are happening all around the region and the country. too! Tall ships, fireworks, reenactments, etc.
Fun fact: did you know that a person who signed the Declaration of Independence (Josiah Bartlett) is buried in Kingston, NH? You can attend a festival about that in Kingston on July 18th. Maybe you can even take up a quill pen there and put your John Hancock on parchment. I will 🙂
Lots of things going on EVERYWHERE! I have three different colonial costumes and they will be getting a workout this year as I make the rounds as the regent of the Exeter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution through the 13 towns we serve. What fun!
You might see me in the parades at Lexington, or even at Bunker Hill in Charlestown. My peeps and I get around.
I have two Minuteman ancestors that fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. (James Andrews of Essex, Ma., 25yrs old and James Patch of Hamilton, Ma., 48 yrs old). Have you seen the Ken Burns documentary? It is unfathomable the sacrifices that generation made. I feel a debt of gratitude to them and I am happy to remember and honor them.
Seems a perfect time to set aside our differences and join together in appreciation, if even for a few moments. The pendulum of history often makes violent swings to each side. Chances are we will meet in the middle again. We always have.
I hope I bump into you at some of the events this year. I might be looking something like this…
With deep gratitude to Mr. Andrews and Mr. Patch. And their wives!!!
~R~
RM-Allen.com 