CELEBRATE THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONWITH THE ANDOVERS

Mar 18

North Andover, Mass., March 18, 2025 – The North Andover Historical Society (NAHS) and the Andover Center for History and Culture (ACHC) have come together to bring history to life with an exciting dual-town bus ride celebrating the American Revolution. Along the route, historians will share captivating, local stories of the American Revolution while guests view the historical sites from the comfort of a bus. Tours are offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on April 19, and will begin and end at NAHS, located at 800 Massachusetts Avenue in North Andover. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit www.NorthAndoverhistoricalSociety.org.

“During the Revolution, Andover and North Andover stood as one town. Coming together now is a meaningful way to honor that shared past and rekindle our united spirit,” says Joanna Kerr, executive director of the North Andover Historical Society. “Please join us as we highlight the real-life stories of our towns’ heroes.”

The 1.5-hour bus tour will retrace the route taken by militia through North Andover and Andover en route to the battle at Lexington and Concord. View historical homes and sites from 1775, where the 18th-century owners played a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s path to independence. Our experienced guides from NAHS and ACHC will share captivating stories and anecdotes about our local connections to the revolution.

In North Andover, the bus will stop briefly for a tour of the historic kitchen and dining room of the Timothy Johnson House where you can enjoy a glass of lemonade. The bus continues on to Andover viewing more historic homes and stops briefly at the west Andover Blanchard Upton House for an outdoor tour and a glass of apple cider. From there, the bus returns to NAHS.

Arrive early, 10:00 am or stay after the bus tour and to join a guided steeple tour of North Parish Church, located next to NAHS. The bell, installed in 1807, was cast by Paul Revere and is one of only 23 that survive today. Continue on to enjoy the special Rev250 exhibits at NAHS, including the personal diary of John Stevens that begins as he marched off to battle, and brings to life what it was like to fight for American freedom.

On April 19 in 1775, ordinary people from our towns marched from the North Parish meeting house through Andover to Concord and Lexington, fighting for liberty, equality, and justice. Connect with your neighbors and foster a sense of pride in our shared history.

Other exciting events celebrating the American Revolution are planned by NAHS and ACHC. Visit the websites to learn more: www.NorthAndoverhistoricalSociety.org and www.andoverhistoryandculture.org.

About the North Andover Historical Society

Founded in 1913, the North Andover Historical Society is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization. It has long held the Johnson Cottage as its historic base, fanning out across town with historic sites under its wing including the Parson Barnard House and Barn, the 1825 Hay Scales Exchange, the 1829 Brick Store, and the 1833 Hay Scales Building. Within the past two years, the renovated Stevens Center museum on the North Andover Common, has become the new hub of NAHS, housing: archives and collectables, rotating historic exhibits on the museum floor, a theater with seating for up to 70 people in what were once Omni Theater seats, a permanent display of green tech explaining the Net-Zero building, Diane’s Café, and meeting and social rooms (many of these spaces are available for rent). For more information, please visit www.NorthAndoverhistoricalSociety.org.