J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Friday, February 01, 2013

School Vacation with the Reveres

February in Massachusetts means February school vacation, which means having to find new unusual reasons to get the kids out of the house. The Paul Revere House is offering family programs in which children (and their accompanying adults) will make and take home samples of typical work done by Paul and Rachel Revere.
“The Revere Family at Work”
Wednesday, 20 February, and Friday, 22 February
10:30 to 12:00 A.M.

Both Paul Revere and his wife Rachel worked hard to keep their large family fed, clothed, and healthy. During this program discover what kinds of chores the Reveres (adults and children) completed in each room in their house. Then try your hand at engraving metal as Revere did in his silversmith shop and make an herbal remedy Rachel may have used to treat her children’s headaches. Participants will take home both an engraved piece of copper and a small cloth bag of dried herbs.

Each presentation is limited to 20 people. The fee is $4.50 for children ages 7-11 and accompanying adults. Price includes admission to the Revere House. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Revere House at 617-523-2338.
Somewhere Sarah Revere (Paul’s first wife) is wondering why she’s not getting any attention. But we don’t have nearly as much information about her as about Rachel, nor any portraits.

2 comments:

John L Smith Jr said...

Sarah probably didn't even have time to write a diary! Too bad. It would've been her ticket to immortality.

J. L. Bell said...

There's also a class aspect. Paul Revere became more wealthy and important after the war, so he saved more documents and had more portraits painted, including the matching pair of him and Rachel by Stuart. He doesn't seem to have the money or ambition to have Copley paint Sarah when he posed for that very rare portrait of a craftsman that we all know.