National Parks, local groups outline Paul Revere ride and Bunker Hill 250 plans for April and June

Representatives of the National Parks of Boston and local history organizations presented a slate of public events tied to the Paul Revere ride on April 18 and a series of Bunker Hill commemorations June 12–17.

National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasy said the agency is coordinating programs that link sites across Boston that relate to the Revolutionary era. Deputy Superintendent Liza Stearns, and partners from the Paul Revere Memorial Association and Charlestown organizations described plans to stage “first night of the Revolution” activities that will move participants between the North End and Charlestown to accommodate large crowds.

Programming on April 18 will include events at the Paul Revere House and Old North Church, lantern workshops in North Square and Langone Park, and a river crossing to Charlestown where Paul Revere will be greeted before resuming his ride toward Concord. The Paul Revere Memorial Association plans staged encounters with historical interpreters portraying Paul and Rachel Revere at the Revere House between about 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., followed by processional elements led by rowers and reenactors to Charlestown.

Charlestown presentations will include extended visiting hours at USS Constitution, family lantern workshops at the USS Constitution Museum, historical talks and an escorted procession into City Square Park. Organizers said they will deploy a tavern trail of participating businesses on Main Street and interpretive panels at historic sites to connect local businesses with the commemoration and provide context about residents’ experiences in 1775.

Bunker Hill 250 organizers described a series of events around the monument from June 12–17. Highlights announced include a naturalization ceremony with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on June 12, a community flag garden planting and multi‑partner programming on June 13, a Flag Day ceremony and evening concert on June 14, the traditional Bunker Hill Parade on June 15, pageantry tied to the 1825 cornerstone laying on June 16, and a day of remembrance with an oration and wreath laying on June 17. Organizers said they expect a limited ticketed audience for some ceremonies with additional off‑site viewing and livestreaming.

Speakers emphasized that new historical research and community partnerships will expand the stories told at the commemorations to include the experiences of women, children, enslaved people and Indigenous people in Charlestown and elsewhere. Creasy and other presenters named the City of Boston, the USS Constitution Museum, the American Legion, the British Consulate and local neighborhood groups as partners.

Commission members asked no substantive questions during the presentation and the session moved on to subsequent agenda items.

The commission’s staff said materials from the presentation would be shared with members after the meeting.