Message from J. L. Bell, Program Director

The siege of Boston, the first campaign of the Revolutionary War, was in some ways the whole war in miniature. Though the British military won the only pitched battle and maintained control of the seas, those victories came at great cost. Meanwhile, George Washington was almost unwittingly learning what it took to be commander-in-chief. Alternately frustrated and anxious, he shaped the Continental Army, assessed the generals appointed under him, and found new ways to take the war to the enemy.

Join me for The Pursuit of History: The Siege and Liberation of Boston as we hold our sessions in the historic Paul Revere House, visit the battlefield of Bunker Hill and lesser-known sites of the siege, tracing the scope of the campaign in space and time.

We’ll hear from experts at the Paul Revere House and elsewhere about the experiences of families split by the fighting. We’ll share meals in eighteenth-century buildings.

Our two days will also dovetail with History Camp Boston 2025 on August 9, offering more presentations on a wide range of historical topics, including two “tracks” on the Revolutionary War. On August 10 there are special tours for History Camp attendees.

The limit for Siege, as with all of our Pursuit of History Weekends, is 40 people.

As of this writing (July 2), we only have eight spots available. So far, we have people coming from Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia, as well as here in New England, and many were with us in April for The Pursuit of History: The Outbreak of War.

Whether you will be continuing the journey we started in the Spring or you’re joining us for the first time, I look forward to seeing you in August.

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— J.L. Bell, Program Director