DCR Celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

Join us in celebrating the spirit of 1776 in the places where history happened

Throughout 2025 and 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation is proud to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution by highlighting the pivotal role our state parks, forests, watersheds, and more played in the fight for independence. From the rugged paths of the Knox Cannon Trail in the Berkshires to the fortified shores of the Boston Harbor, DCR properties preserve the landscapes where patriots stood, fought, and shaped history. We invite you to explore these historic sites and take part in Revolution 250 programs, where you can walk in the footsteps of revolutionaries and uncover the stories of Massachusetts’ vital contributions to America’s founding. Join us in celebrating the spirit of 1776 in the places where history happened. See below for highlighted properties and upcoming events.

DCR Properties with a Connection to the American Revolution

Across Massachusetts, the American Revolution lives on in the places we still walk, hike, and explore today. From harbor islands and hilltops forts to quiet forests and riverbanks, DCR properties hold powerful stories of resistance, sacrifice, and the ideals that shaped a new nation. This collection of short informative pieces invites you to look beyond famous battlefields and discover how everyday landscapes played a role in the fight for independence and in the challenges that followed. Each site reveals a different chapter of the Revolutionary story, grounded in place and shaped by the people who lived it. 

Check out  DCR Properties with a Connection to the American Revolution to explore how history and landscape come together and see familiar DCR places in a whole new way.

More information

MA 250 - A History of Possibility