“Rum and Revolution” in Lexington, 8 Feb.

On Friday, 8 February, the Lexington Historical Society will do something a little different for its annual Neil Cronin Lecture by hosting “Rum and Revolution,” an evening of music, history, and rum punch. The performers will be Jeremy Bell and Lawrence Young with the society’s own Colonial Singers.

Bell and Young portray taverngoers Abijah Toddy and Tobias Tripp:

Between musical selections sung and played on period instruments, they bring to life the manners and mannerisms of the age with actual 18th century jokes and more than a few little known truths about how rum and helped to start the Revolution. This fascinating story centers on Paul Revere’s Liberty Bowl and involves Ben Franklin drinking Hellfire Punch! Guests may gain insights into the times by sampling a cup of Old Rum punch for themselves. Attendees will hear the tale of John Hancock’s “Madeira riots” of 1768, find out what the Liberty Song was (and why did the British hated it) and learn about how a tavern song became our national anthem.

The facial hair appears to be a special guest from either the seventeenth or nineteenth century.

“Rum and Revolution” starts at 8:00 P.M. at the Lexington Depot. It’s open to people over 21 years old only, for obvious reasons. Admission is $10. Reserve seats by calling the Lexington History Society at 781-862-1703 during business hours.