Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2 Million in Grants to Celebrate Massachusetts Revolutionary History

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $2 million in grants to 59 organizations across the state through the Massachusetts 250 Grant Program, an initiative administered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) that supports marketing initiatives and events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. This is the second round of grants through this program, which provided $1.5 million in grants through the first round in September 2024.  

Funded projects range from immersive historical tours and exhibits, to community festivals and educational programming. Many initiatives focus on sharing narratives from Indigenous communities, Black and Latino residents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women who shaped Massachusetts’ revolutionary legacy.

“The enthusiasm for MA250 is visible all across the state, with exciting events and exhibitions happening every day and visitors from across the country and the globe coming to town to take part. With this round of MA250 grants, we’re reinforcing our investments to tell the story of Massachusetts, from our revolutionary roots to the vibrant, inclusive state we are today,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These projects honor our shared history while telling the stories that have been left untold for too long, strengthening local economies and shaping a statewide celebration of our values and our future.”

“This new round of funding will bring people together to celebrate our shared history, especially as we approach Independence Day,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These projects help us spark curiosity, invite community and businesses to join in, and build real excitement as we count down to a once-in-a-generation celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.”

“These grants are a catalyst for local economic growth,” said Interim Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba. “By supporting community-driven events and underrepresented stories, the Massachusetts 250 Grant Program will energize small businesses and expanding create new economic opportunities across the state.”

“Massachusetts was the birthplace of the Revolution, and today, we’re helping communities across Massachusetts share the full depth of that story,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “These grants will bring history to life in new and exciting ways as we approach 2026.”

Of the 59 projects across the state funded this round, 10 are located in Gateway Cities, which play a vital role in the state’s cultural and economic landscape. Gateway City projects include Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, which will receive $16,000 for Revolutionary Love Community Theater’s Saving the Revolution, a musical drama and video series highlighting Knox’s 300-mile cannon trek and love letters; and Discover Central MA, which will receive $50,000 for its Central MA250 Revolutionary Firsts Trail campaign that highlights the region’s Revolutionary history through digital content, trail maps, and event promotion. 

Other funded projects include the New Bedford Whaling Museum, which will receive $25,000 for When New Bedford Lit the World: Revolutionary Innovation and Culture in a Port City, a multi-part project exploring the city’s revolutionary contributions to innovation and culture; and Revolutionary Quincy's celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. For a full list of awardees and project descriptions, please visit mass.gov/info-details/fy26-ma250-grant-awardees.

About Massachusetts 250 

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) commemorates Massachusetts’ role in the American Revolution with the Massachusetts 250 campaign, celebrating 250 years of the country’s independence and the state’s revolutionary spirit. The statewide campaign highlights often-told stories like Paul Revere’s ride while uplifting underrepresented voices and unveiling untold stories with hundreds of events presented across the Bay State. For more information, please visit massachusetts250.org and follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.  

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism 

Massachusetts is made for nights on the town, days on the trails, and everything in between. The mission of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is to promote Massachusetts as a four-season leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international travelers and contribute to the state’s economic growth. MOTT offers assistance with itinerary planning, familiarization trips, images, and photographs and offers support in providing information to the travel trade, press, and media. To plan your trip to Massachusetts, please go to visitma.com. 

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