The Newburyport Road to Revolution parade and ceremony was held on Saturday, June 28th to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and to honor Newburyport’s historic significance in the Revolutionary War. Locals and visitors lined the streets of Newburyport for the Revolutionary War procession that included the bold presence of the National Lancers, one of the oldest horse cavalry organizations in the United States and the sound of musket shots fired from historically significant locations by the Lexington Minute Men and the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts. Patriotic music was provided by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums provided patriotic music as they marched through Newburyport and honored military branches with traditional songs during the ceremony in Market Square.
The parade and ceremony lead by Board Chairperson of the Custom House Maritime Museum, Captain Robert Cronin wrapped through the city of Newburyport leading participants and spectators to gather in historic Market Square for inspirational speeches that recognized the many significant Newburyport contributions and sacrifices during the Revolutionary War.
Honorary Co-Chairs: Governor Maura Healey, Mayor Sean Reardon followed by Custom House Maritime Museum Intern Parker Jackman as US Congressman Seth Moulton, State Senator Bruce Tarr, State Representative Dawne Shand and Museum of Old Newbury Executive Director Bethany Groff-Dorau.
The Road to Revolution celebration was an exceptional example of collaboration at its best combining the resources, knowledge, and experience of the Custom House Maritime Museum and the Museum of Old Newbury to create a series of events highlighting the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and Newburyport’s own road to revolution and involvement in these pivotal events that shaped US history.
While 2025 sees the important anniversaries of the founding of the military branches of the Army, Navy, and Marines coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War in 1775, next year the country will celebrate the efforts of the war as its 250th birthday in 2026 will commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This year’s events in Newburyport, however, are centered around the city’s revolutionary history.
If you are interested in other events surrounding the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War in Newburyport, then check the Newburyport Events Calendar for more details.
Newburyport Road to Revolution Speeches
Videos are listed in the order in which they were delivered. More videos will be posted tomorrow.
Governor Maura Healey – Governor of Massachusetts
Parker Jackman – Custom House Maritime Museum Intern & Newburyport High School Student
Representative Dawne Shand – MA State Representative 1st Essex
Bethany Groff-Dorau – Executive Director, Museum of Old Newbury
Road to Revolution Parade Participants:
The Lexington Minute Men
Colonial Navy of Mass.
Middlesex County VolunteerNational Lancers
Parade Chairman Capt. Robert Cronin
City of Newburyport
Amesbury Carriage Museum
Brig. Gen. James Brickett-Old Newbury, NSDAR
Boys & Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley
Central Congregational Church
Derek Hines / Jordan Shay Veterans’ District
Firehouse Center for the Arts
Friends of Plum Island Light
Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
Lowell’s Boat Shop
Nbpt. Preservation Trust
Old South / First Presbyterian Church
River Valley Charter School
Sons & Daughters of First Settlers of Newbury
U.S. Coast Guard
Newburyport’s Road to Revolution parade and ceremony represent the cities strong historic
