September 20, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham Historical Society was recently awarded $30,000 under the Massachusetts 250 grant program to create a “Revisiting the American Revolution: Hingham 1775-1777” exhibit that will provide a snapshot of Hingham during the American Revolution.
This statewide initiative celebrates the anniversary of American independence and commemorates Massachusetts’ pivotal role in our country’s founding while highlighting the state’s rich history and sharing untold stories of the American Revolution through hundreds of cultural and community events over the next two years.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced this new competitive grant program to support projects that tell the diverse stories of the American Revolution in Massachusetts as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary beginning in 2025.
The Massachusetts 250 Grant Program, administered through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism within the Executive Office of Economic Development, is funding projects that highlight “historic themes of revolution and independence, celebrate significant ‘firsts’ in Massachusetts history, and take a creative or innovative approach to commemorating the state’s past 250 years.”
Hingham’s award is part of $1.5 million granted to 37 local community organizations to fund projects that take “an innovative approach to commemorating the state’s past 250 years . . . in a vibrant and engaging way.”
“We are thrilled to have the state’s support in our commemoration efforts,” said Hingham Historical Society Executive Director Deirdre Anderson. “This is the second grant we received from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism this summer as we prepare for increased heritage tourism for the commemorative years of 2025 and in 2026, America’s 250th birthday.”
In August, the Historical Society was awarded $200,000 in a challenge grant for improved visitor services at the Old Ordinary property on Lincoln Street.
“Between the two grants, we will be busy this year preparing our spaces and interpretive programs for the visiting public and raising funds to meet the required match of the challenge grant,” Anderson said. “We are excited to welcome residents and visitors alike to our beautiful museums.”
Ongoing statewide celebration
Massachusetts 250 is a “statewide, ongoing celebration of our history and everything that makes our state special,” Governor Maura Healey said during the Sept. 17 launch of the program at the State House. “We’re excited to launch this campaign, which will draw visitors, drive local economies, and share the whole story of Massachusetts and our nation through the voices of every community.”
The Historical Society’s grant efforts were strengthened by letters of support from the Town of Hingham, the Hingham Downtown Association, State Representative Joan Meschino, the regional tourism council See Plymouth, Revolution 250, Inc. “and beloved leading businesses including KnitWell (Talbots), kloTH, and the Square Cafe,” Anderson said. “Our community leadership and businesses recognize the value of tourism to economic development, and we are excited to continue our work together to build tourism effectively and thoughtfully.”
For further information, go to https://massachusetts250.org/.