May 15, 2023 By Deirdre Anderson
The Town of Hingham and the Hingham Historical Society invite residents of Hingham and the South Shore—and history lovers everywhere—to participate in Hingham’s 6th annual Battle of Grape Island Commemoration on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 1PM – 3PM at the Bandstand in Hingham Harbor – Route 3A and Summer St. The Battle of Grape Island commemorates what many call the “second” battle of the American Revolution coming one month after Lexington and Concord and one month before the Battle of Bunker Hill. On commemoration day, we honor this history with ceremony, a reenactment and refreshments.
The day’s events are free and open to the public.
This year’s Battle of Grape Island Commemoration begins at 1pm at the Hingham Harbor bandstand and will be moderated by Paul Healey, lifelong Hingham resident and former member of the Selectboard. Mr Healey will be joined by Hingham’s Veteran of the Year, Arthur Smith, Reverend Steve Aucella of New North Church, Hingham Militia Company Sergeant Sean Gallagher, current Hingham Selectboard Members Chair, Liz Klein and Bill Ramsay and Paul Losordo, former member of Hingham’s Harbor Development Committee who pushed for a revival of this commemoration in 2017. Rick Shaner and Diana Gallagher will also participate in the ceremony.
At approximately 1:30PM, members of the Hingham Militia Company, led by Captain Tim Perkins will be joined by members of the Wareham Militia and Minutemen as they reenact the battle at Grape Island against the British represented by the Light Infantry Company of the 64th Regiment A Foot.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, all are invited for cupcakes and water provided by Weir River Water Company under the refreshment tent at the Bandstand.
For more information, please visit https://hinghamhistorical.org/battle-of-grape-island/ or https://www.hingham-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1602