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Creative Sector Day 2026! Thank you to the 600+ artists, changemakers, activists, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and residents who showed up to demonstrate their support for the arts, creativity, and humanities in Massachusetts. To take action, visit the helpful resources provided by MCAN: https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action

@masscultural #creativeMA #advocacyweekma26

As part of our ongoing exploration of the 250th this year, we invited a group of Expand Massachusetts Stories grantees to join us in Holyoke on February 25 for a workshop and convening about Black history in the context of the American Revolution. Staff from seven EMS projects joined us, including:

@caccambridge Community Art Center
@companyoneboston Company One Theater
@essexheritage Essex National Heritage Commission
@marblehead_museum Marblehead Museum and Town of Marblehead
@natickhistoricalsociety Natick Historical Society
@kingschapelboston Society of King’s Chapel
@somervillemuseum Somerville Museum

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well and the 50th anniversary of Black History Month. Mass Humanities recognizes that both are deeply connected through their shared roots in the nation’s ongoing struggle to define freedom, citizenship, and democracy. As a result, we organized our gathering around a central question: Why is it vital to tell stories of Black history in the context of the American Revolution?

Special thanks to Anika Lopes of @ancestralbridges for sharing her insights into oral history, archives, Black history, and storytelling in the context of the 250th.

Special thanks to @barrfdn and @masscultural for making Expand Massachusetts Stories possible.

Photos and video footage by @brittainperezproductions . Editing by @wesdeshanofilms .

As an American I feel like I have a right to critique my government with my work.”—Illustrator, muralist, and creative director Jah’nyah Spencer reflects on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and how it has influenced her recent work.

Thank you @jahnyahstudios_for sharing your time at Creative Sector Advocacy Day this year.

Your story matters. Your voice matters. Your perspective matters.

This summer, students ages 12–18 in Worcester will explore identity, culture, and creativity through photography, textiles, and storytelling.

📸 Learn how to use a camera
🎤 Share your story
🧠 Build confidence & leadership
🖼 Showcase your work in a public exhibition

Spots are limited. 

👉 Apply now / DM @donclaude__ for an application

Hosted by @donclaude__ 
Fiscal Sponsor: @judys_jubilee
Funded by @masshumanities

Locations: Clark University (@clarkuniversity) and Worcester Center for Crafts 
(@worcestercenterforcrafts)

There are some words in history that still echo loudly today. Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” is one of them.

On Sunday, June 28, our community will come together at the JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard for Reading Frederick Douglass Together — a collective public reading and community conversation centered around one of the most powerful speeches ever delivered on freedom, democracy, justice, and accountability in America.

This event is about more than reading a historic speech. It’s about reflection. It’s about civic engagement. It’s about community. And it’s about asking ourselves how the words Douglass spoke in 1852 still challenge us today.

One of the most beautiful parts of this program is that it brings together voices from across Cape Cod — different backgrounds, generations, lived experiences, and perspectives — all contributing to one shared reading. There is something incredibly powerful about that.

Whether you come to listen, reflect, participate in discussion, or stand among community, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful afternoon.

🗓 Sunday, June 28, 2026⏰ 1:00 PM📍 JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard397 Main Street, Hyannis(Rain or shine; indoor discussion to follow)

This program is presented in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and supported by Mass Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Mass Cultural Council.

We hope to see you there. 💜

ICYMI: "Democracy Abroad: A look at America’s 250th through the eyes of four documentary filmmakers" by Larr Hott.Watch: https://masshumanities.org/democracy-abroad-a-look-at-americas-250th-through-the-eyes-of-four-documentary-filmmakers/

ICYMI: King's Chapel in Boston is doing amazing work to reconcile with its institutional history. In the fall of 2025, the church unveiled "Unbound," a breathtaking sculpture memorializing the 219 women, men, and children who were enslaved by former parishioners and ministers. Learn all about this "Promises of the Revolution" project in our Q&A with Gianna Russi, Director of King's Chapel History Program, on our website:

https://masshumanities.org/promises-of-the-revolution-qa-with-gianna-russi-of-kings-chapel/

@kingschapelboston @massachusetts250 #MA250 #masshumanities @masscultural

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

We often hear that we are living in “unprecedented times,” but anyone who has studied history knows that there are many similarly dangerous, chaotic, paradigm shifting moments from the past that we can look to and learn from. That is what the Silence Dogood Precedented Times Town Hall series has set out to uncover. Pairing historians in conversation with civil rights organizers, these events explore how resistance is inherited.

Last week we hosted our first such Town Hall event at Old North Church. Historians Jane Kamensky (President and CEO of @tjmonticello ) and Kyera Singleton (Executive Director of @royallhouse1737) joined civil rights organizers @rahsaandhall (President and CEO of @ulem105) and Carol Rose (Executive Director of @aclu_mass) to discuss Boston’s many-layered legacies of resistance on the eve of American Independence and how we can continue that work today.

@amandasheaallday started the program off with a poem that captured the essence of Boston’s enduring call to freedom. Throughout the evening attendees contributed messages which illuminated the Old North Church bell tower, which once again served as a beacon of resistance.

Thanks to @masshumanities, @oldnorth1723, and @illuminus for making the event possible through funding, hosting, and event production. Thanks to @gbhforumnetwork for recording the event and making it available to watch soon! Thanks to @jackdarylphotography, as always, for the beautiful photos!

As much as In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters centers on Phillis, it was just as important to me to tell the story of her husband, John Peters. For centuries, history has mischaracterized him as a man who took advantage of Phillis. But the archival research uncovered by Professor Cornelia Dayton helps set the record straight. John Peters emerges as ambitious, confident, and deeply protective of his wife, her life, and her ambitions.

It was a true privilege to discuss that perspective alongside Dr. Trent and Prof. Dayton during the U.S. premiere of the Phillis Wheatley film at Boston's Museum of African American History on February 26, 2026, where her spirit and influence still echo powerfully today.

#InSearchOfPhillisWheatleyPeters #PhillisWheatleyPeters #JohnPeters #BlackHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #HistoryofBoston #MAAH #DocumentaryFilm #PhillisWheatleyPetersFilm #Heritage #LegacyAlive

“Journey Toward Reconciliation: A Memorial to Enslaved Persons at King’s Chapel.”

Gianna Russi: "There are two really important words there, 'journey' and 'reconciliation'. 'Journey,' because it’s the understanding that it’s not ending. It’s always going to be a journey towards understanding, towards reckoning with this history and all it stands for. And there’s always a next step, always something to aspire to. And so understanding that it’s a long term thing, it’s something that’s going to be continued to be grappled with for years and years.

And also 'reconciliation' being another important part. It’s really about reconciling with the history. It’s about reckoning with it. This is something the congregation at large and also the living memorial is really hoping to achieve."

Gianna Russi, Director of King's Chapel History Program, is featured in Vol. 3 of our guide to the 250th. Read the Q&A here: https://buff.ly/8FG78Jq

CC:@kingschapelboston @massachusetts250

“Journey Toward Reconciliation: A Memorial to Enslaved Persons at King’s Chapel.”

Gianna Russi: "There are two really important words there, 'journey' and 'reconciliation'. 'Journey,' because it’s the understanding that it’s not ending. It’s always going to be a journey towards understanding, towards reckoning with this history and all it stands for. And there’s always a next step, always something to aspire to. And so understanding that it’s a long term thing, it’s something that’s going to be continued to be grappled with for years and years.

And also 'reconciliation' being another important part. It’s really about reconciling with the history. It’s about reckoning with it. This is something the congregation at large and also the living memorial is really hoping to achieve."

Gianna Russi, Director of King's Chapel History Program, is featured in Vol. 3 of our guide to the 250th. Read the Q&A here: https://buff.ly/8FG78Jq

CC:@kingschapelboston @massachusetts250

“Journey Toward Reconciliation: A Memorial to Enslaved Persons at King’s Chapel.”

Gianna Russi: "There are two really important words there, 'journey' and 'reconciliation'. 'Journey,' because it’s the understanding that it’s not ending. It’s always going to be a journey towards understanding, towards reckoning with this history and all it stands for. And there’s always a next step, always something to aspire to. And so understanding that it’s a long term thing, it’s something that’s going to be continued to be grappled with for years and years.

And also 'reconciliation' being another important part. It’s really about reconciling with the history. It’s about reckoning with it. This is something the congregation at large and also the living memorial is really hoping to achieve."

Gianna Russi, Director of King's Chapel History Program, is featured in Vol. 3 of our guide to the 250th. Read the Q&A here: https://buff.ly/8FG78Jq

CC:@kingschapelboston @massachusetts250

Curious how Ken Burns acquired images for his documentary The American Revolution? Hear from Historic Beverly’s Jonathan Schuster for the full story.
#kenburns #massachusetts250 #americanrevolution #rev250

"Democracy abroad: A look at America’s 250th through the eyes of four documentary filmmakers" | By Larry Hott

ICYMI, MH board member Larry Hott provided an incisive reflection on democracy today for our most recent "People's Guide to the Revolution." This is required viewing for anyone interested in the state of democracy today. Watch on our website now: https://buff.ly/gs4f39d

@humfed