January 15, 2025 submitted by the Hingham Historical Society (Courtesy Photos)
The Hingham Historical Society invites residents of Hingham and the South Shore — and history lovers everywhere — to participate in Hingham’s 48th annual Lincoln Day on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Each year, Lincoln Day celebrates civic engagement and reflects on the lives and legacies of General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) and President Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865). Born more than 70 years and 1,000 miles apart yet with shared Hingham roots, General Lincoln and President Lincoln served their country in revolutionary ways. They took up leadership roles in times of extreme political and social polarization when questions about the meaning of freedom, independence, and liberty divided households, communities, and the nation itself. As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution dawns, Lincoln Day asks us to consider how we can be inspired by the past to serve our communities’ futures.
Lincoln Day activities will begin at 10:00 AM with a muster of the Hingham Militia Company at the Hingham Memorial Bell Tower (90 Main Street) and wreath-laying ceremonies in Hingham Cemetery at the gravesites of General Benjamin Lincoln and Massachusetts’ Civil War governor, John Albion Andrew. The speaking program will begin at 11:00 AM at Old Ship Church (90 Main Street) featuring a keynote address from Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250, as well as remarks by state and local representatives and the presentation of winning essays from the Hingham Middle School Lincoln Day Essay Contest. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company, Hingham’s Scout Troop 1, and other civic organizations will also participate.
Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250 has more than 30 years’ experience in public history, tourism and cultural programming. Revolution 250 is a consortium of more than 70
organizations across the Commonwealth, working together on the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. While his employment has led him to many leading institutions, including Plimoth-Patuxet, the American Antiquarian Society, Berklee College of Music and the Massachusetts Historical Society, his historical studies have taken him to libraries and archives throughout the U.S. and United Kingdom. He is the author of a monograph on songs for British Soldiers in the 18th century, and is the editor of From the Potomac to the Etowah, the Civil War Correspondence of Alonzo Hall Quint. Mr. Lane was awarded the “Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Revolutionary Achievement Award” from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy in March of 2024. Jonathan is a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Colonial Society of Massachusetts and the Alden Kindred of America.
Following the conclusion of the program, all participants are welcome to join a community procession to Fountain Square for a wreath-laying at the Abraham Lincoln monument. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided at New North Church (1 Lincoln Street) which Benjamin Lincoln helped establish in 1807.
All Lincoln Day events are free and open to the public. As part of the Lincoln Day observation, the Hingham Historical Society’s Benjamin Lincoln House will be open for FREE guided tours from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Reservations are not required. For more information about the Benjamin Lincoln House, please visit https://hinghamhistorical.org.