Historical Events for School Vacation Week

This is the start of a school vacation week in Massachusetts, and some greater Boston Revolutionary sites are offering programs particularly for families with kids.

Old North Church will be open Monday to Saturday, 21–26 February, with special admission pricing. The staff has created a new family activity—a scavenger hunt narrated by Prince, a cat who used to frequent the church. For extra fees, visitors can take guided tours of the gallery (balcony) and crypt.

Folks needn’t to go to the North End to experience some North End history, however. The Paul Revere House is signing families up for guided virtual tours that include an introduction to the Reveres’ lives, a live look at colonial Boston’s oldest surviving house, and questions and answers. Those online sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, 23 February, at 10:30 A.M. and Friday, 25 February, at 2:30 P.M. Registering costs $5–$10.

To see what other Freedom Trail and Black Heritage Trail sites are open, and what their Covid-19 health measures are, check out this webpage.

Out in Middlesex County, the Lexington Historical Society has a special tour of Buckman’s Tavern designed for children aged four to seven:

In an 18th century tavern in February, food was scarce, but chores were plentiful. Join us on a special tour of Buckman Tavern to explore the space from the perspective of an 18th century child. Learn what to cook on a kitchen hearth, play colonial games, read a story, and make fresh whipped cream or butter to take home!

That’s scheduled for Tuesday, 22 February, and the suggested donation is $5 per family. Visitors aged five and older need to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, and visitors over age two need to wear masks.

(Photo above shows drummers of the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps on New Year’s Eve.)