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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
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SUMMARY:Patriots of Color Exhibit at American Ancestors' Family Heritage Experience
DESCRIPTION:In observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution\, American Ancestors’ Family Heritage Experience unveils “Patriots of Color\,” a major new exhibition opening Thursday\, April 23\, at 97 Newbury Street\, Boston. The exhibit brings long-overlooked stories of Black\, Native\, and multiracial individuals into full view—revealing their vital roles in the founding of our nation and the living descendants who carry their legacies forward today. \nThousands of Black men fought in the American Revolution—an estimated 5\,000 to 9\,000 for the Patriot cause and as many as 20\,000 supporting the British\, many seeking freedom from enslavement—yet their contributions remain underrepresented in traditional accounts of the nation’s founding. Set against the backdrop of Boston’s central role in the Revolution\, “Patriots of Color” highlights profiles of 26 individuals—two from each of the original 13 colonies—whose service\, labor\, leadership\, and resistance shaped the Revolutionary cause in ways rarely taught or remembered today. Through original documents\, immersive digital experiences\, and contemporary artistic interpretation\, the exhibition reframes the Revolution as a far more complex and inclusive struggle for independence. \nA centerpiece of the exhibition is a large-scale interactive digital map of the 13 colonies\, which invites visitors to tap and explore information about 26 individual Patriots\, represented by silhouettes designed by teenage artists from the Cambridge Community Art Center’s Teen Public Art Program. Interactive screens about the patriots reveal biographical details\, service histories\, and—most powerfully—their connection to modern-day living descendants\, some of whom are expected to attend the exhibition’s opening events. Also on view are original 18th- and 19th-century manuscripts\, military muster rolls\, family Bibles\, and historic engravings—archival materials that bring overlooked Revolutionary lives into focus and reveal the research process behind their rediscovery. \nThe exhibit is part of American Ancestors’ 10 Million Names initiative\, which aims to recover the names and lives of enslaved people through archival research. \n“What makes ‘Patriots of Color’ distinctive is not only who these individuals were\, but how we know them\,” said Ryan Woods\, President and CEO of American Ancestors. “This exhibition shows that history is not fixed or finished. Through documents\, research\, and genealogy\, it is possible to uncover real\, personal connections to the past—and\, in doing so\, better understand our present.” \nSilhouettes of Legacy \nReinforcing the exhibition’s themes of interpretation and intergenerational storytelling\, “Patriots of Color” includes a collaborative component with the Cambridge Community Art Center’s Teen Public Art Program. Founded in 1937\, the Community Art Center has long served as a creative anchor in Cambridge\, empowering young people through public art and community-rooted expression. \nFor “Patriots of Color\,” students were invited to create imaginative silhouette artwork inspired by historical profiles of Patriots. The resulting silhouette portraits draw on an historic artistic tradition that predates photography\, when profile portraits were an accessible way to preserve a person’s likeness. In this context\, the form carries particular resonance: silhouettes assert presence\, a demonstration that a life was lived. \nDisplayed alongside the historical narratives\, and each artist’s biography\, these contemporary works place today’s youth artists in dialogue with Revolutionary era lives. Their inclusion underscores the exhibition’s broader message that history is not static—it is continually interpreted\, expanded\, and made visible across generations. \nAdditional exhibition elements explore how Patriots of Color contributed beyond military service\, the difficult choices—or lack of choice—between Patriot and Loyalist allegiances\, and the painstaking process of reconstructing lives through muster rolls\, family Bibles\, pension files\, and other primary sources. Throughout\, visitors are encouraged to see themselves not just as observers of history\, but as participants in reclaiming it. \n“Patriots of Color” remains on view through December 31\, 2026\, with an opening celebration and public programs planned in conjunction with Revolution 250 commemorations in Boston. \nExhibit Highlights:\n\nPatriots of Color profiles—two from each of the original 13 colonies—featured through an expansive interactive digital map\nConnections between Revolutionary-era Patriots and living descendants\, bringing the story of the Revolution into the present day\nOriginal manuscripts\, muster rolls\, engravings\, and family records that demonstrate how historical lives are recovered through genealogical research\nA dynamic touchscreen experience inviting visitors to explore service\, resistance\, and legacy across the colonies\, with direct links to American Ancestors’ 10 Million Names initiative\nA collaborative public art installation featuring silhouette works created by Community Art Center Teen Public Art Program artists\, interpreting individual Patriot stories through contemporary creative expression\n\n“Patriots of Color: Reclaiming Stories of Courage\, Resistance\, and Legacy” reframes the American Revolution through the lens of family history—demonstrating that the nation’s founding stories are not fixed in the past\, but can be rediscovered\, reinterpreted\, and reclaimed through research\, documents\, and lived connection. \nExhibit Opening:        April 23\, 2026 \nOn View:                    Through December 31\, 2026\, Tuesday through Saturday\, 10 am to 6 pm \nLocation:                    Family Heritage Experience at American Ancestors\, 97 Newbury Street\, Boston\, MA \nAdmission:                 $10 for adults. Free admission for children under 12. American Ancestors members receive free admission. \nDiscover Your Own History: Visitors are encouraged to explore their own family stories through American Ancestors’ research services and the 10 Million Names initiative\, which seeks to recover and restore the identities of enslaved people through historical records. \nPlanning Your Visit:  The Family Heritage Experience and the gift shop on the first floor of American Ancestors at 97 Newbury Street\, Boston\, MA\, are open Tuesday through Saturday\, from 10 am to 6 pm. The facility is located near Copley Square and the Arlington and Copley Green line T stations. For more information\, including accessibility and amenities\, visit fhe.americanancestors.org. \nAbout the Family Heritage Experience  \nThe Family Heritage Experience—an interactive\, state-of-the-art exhibition that introduces visitors to the joy of family history research—was launched in 2025 by American Ancestors®\, a national center for family history\, heritage\, and culture. The Family Heritage Experience is located on the first floor of American Ancestors’ headquarters at 97 Newbury Street\, in Boston\, Massachusetts. For more information\, visit fhe.americanancestors.org. \nAbout American Ancestors \nAmerican Ancestors® is a national nonprofit center for family history\, heritage & culture based in Boston\, Massachusetts\, that has been setting the gold standard for genealogical research since its founding in 1845. Today\, American Ancestors serves 400K+ members and subscribers through AmericanAncestors.org\, one of the world’s largest online collections of family history resources. In 2025\, American Ancestors launched the Family Heritage Experience\, an interactive\, state-of-the-art exhibition that introduces visitors to the joy of family history research\, located at 97 Newbury Street at our headquarters in Boston. American Ancestors is also home to the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center\, which preserves New England’s Jewish history\, and 10 Million Names\, a project dedicated to finding the names of the enslaved men\, women\, and children in pre- and post-colonial America before emancipation. For more information\, visit americanancestors.org. \nAbout 10 Million Names \n10 Million Names is dedicated to recovering the names of the estimated ten million men\, women\, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically\, the territory that would become the United States) between the 1500s and 1865. 10 Million Names is engaging a collaborative network of expert genealogists\, cultural organizations\, and community-based family historians. Together we will amplify the voices of people who have been telling their family stories for centuries\, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions\, and expand access to data\, resources\, and information about enslaved African Americans. For more information\, visit 10millionnames.org.
URL:https://mcgrathpr.com/event/patriots-of-color-exhibit/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260714
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261107
DTSTAMP:20260714T182130Z
CREATED:20260714T182130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T182130Z
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SUMMARY:For Those Who Served: Military Research From Colonial Conflicts to World War II
DESCRIPTION:Presented by David Allen Lambert\, Melanie McComb\, and Elizabeth Peay \nThis on-demand course includes five 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation \nAvailable through November 6\, 2026 \nFee:  $125 for 5-class course\nClass 1: Soldiers of Colonial Conflicts – Presented by David Allen Lambert \nThis first class discusses how to research ancestors who served in the Pequot War\, King Philip’s War\, King William’s War\, Queen Anne’s War\, King George’s War\, and French and Indian War. \n  \nClass 2: Revolutionary War Patriots – Presented by Elizabeth Peay \nLearn how to trace your patriot ancestors using muster rolls\, quartermaster rolls\, pension files\, the 1840 census\, journals and diaries\, and more. \n  \nClass 3: War of 1812 Veterans – Presented by David Allen Lambert \nThe National Archives holds important records for War of 1812 veterans including compiled service and pension records. Learn how to access and use these important resources\, plus muster rolls\, correspondence from officers\, town histories\, and more. \n  \nClass 4: Soldiers of the Civil War – Presented by David Allen Lambert \nThere are a number of sources that can help you trace your Civil War soldier ancestors. From special questions and schedules in select US censuses to GAR member lists to detailed pension files to published regiment histories\, you can find the story of your ancestor’s service. Learn how to determine what regiment your ancestor served in\, what battles they fought in\, and what happened to them and their families after the war. We focus our discussion on Union records\, but also discuss resources for Confederate soldiers. \n  \nClass 5: World War I & World War II Veterans – Presented by Melanie McComb \nResearching World War I and World War II veterans present unique challenges. In 1973 a fire destroyed 16 to 18 million personnel records for the U.S. Army between (service years 1912 to 1960) and the U.S. Air Force (service years 1947 to 1964). Learn how you can start to reconstruct your ancestor’s service using draft registration cards and enlistments\, the US census\, discharge papers\, unit histories\, and more. \n  \nAbout American Ancestors   \nAmerican Ancestors® is a national nonprofit center for family history\, heritage & culture based in Boston\, Massachusetts\, that has been setting the gold standard for genealogical research since its founding in 1845. Today\, American Ancestors serves 400K+ members and subscribers through AmericanAncestors.org\, one of the world’s largest online collections of family history resources. In 2025\, American Ancestors launched the Family Heritage Experience\, an interactive\, state-of-the-art exhibition that introduces visitors to the joy of family history research\, located at 97 Newbury Street at our headquarters in Boston. American Ancestors is also home to the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center\, which preserves New England’s Jewish history\, and 10 Million Names\, a project dedicated to finding the names of the enslaved men\, women\, and children in pre- and post-colonial America before emancipation. For more information\, visit americanancestors.org. \n 
URL:https://mcgrathpr.com/event/military-research-colonial-conflicts-to-wwi/
CATEGORIES:Events
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261002
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261019
DTSTAMP:20260714T180501Z
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UID:22260-1790899200-1792367999@mcgrathpr.com
SUMMARY:The Rocky Horror Show at The Company Theatre
DESCRIPTION:October 2 through 18\, Thursdays\, Fridays and Saturdays\, 7:30 pm; Sundays 7:00 pm \nSaturday\, October 17\, special late show at 9:30 pm \nThe Company Theatre Center for the Arts\, 30 Accord Park Drive\, Norwell \nTickets: $63 Standard\, $67 Premium\, available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35067/production/1255532 \n  \n“Come up to the lab\, and see what’s on the slab!” The maniacally popular cult musical returns to TCT to shock and delight audiences. Inspired by the 1975 film\, The Rocky Horror Picture Show\, this raunchy and uproarious rock journey is led by that “Sweet Transvestite” and a motley crew of wild characters. Just in time for spooky season\, this deliberately kitschy rock ’n’ roll sci-fi gothic musical is more fun than ever! For mature audiences. \nAbout The Company Theatre \nFounded in 1979 by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman\, The Company Theatre (TCT) is an award-winning regional theatre\, a true treasure of Boston’s South Shore. The destination center for the arts produces 4 musicals\, 1 play\, 5 youth productions\, and a concert and special event series annually\, attracting more than 35\,000 patrons. The Academy of Company Theatre (ACT) offers year-round technical training in voice\, acting\, dance\, film and more to both youth and adults\, and the heart of ACT – its renowned summer workshop. \n\nThe Company Theatre’s widely acclaimed integrity is rooted in presenting highly trained and dedicated actors\, live music performances\, lavish costuming\, elaborate set work\, as well as its outstanding educational programs. Its staff and artistic team are on a continuous quest for excellence by producing passionate\, energetic\, and professional quality performances. TCT attributes its success to its long-time dedicated staff and artisans who are proud to bring their craft to loyal patrons. \nThe Company Theatre’s box office is open on Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm\, Thursdays from 11 am to 6 pm\, and two hours before each performance.  For more information\, visit companytheatre.com\, email boxoffice@companytheatre.com\, call 781-871-2787\, or follow The Company Theatre on social media. \n\nIn its dedication to sustaining the intrinsic value of music education\, A Swingin’ Affair supports middle and high school instrumental students through an education collaboration and fundraiser program\, offering world-class masterclasses led by top artists\, preserving the living history of swing and jazz culture with today’s aspiring musicians. \n\nTo learn more about A Swingin’ Affair big band\, its concerts or leadership\, or to explore opportunities for education and fundraiser collaboration programs\, visit aswinginaffair.com\, email aswinginaffairband@gmail.com\, or visit A Swingin’ Affair on Facebook\, Instagram\, or YouTube. \n 
URL:https://mcgrathpr.com/event/the-rocky-horror-show-at-the-company-theatre/
CATEGORIES:Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T183000
DTSTAMP:20260910T181900Z
CREATED:20260716T154417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T181900Z
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SUMMARY:Book Launch: "Finding Cornerstone Stories: Uncovering Inspiration in Your Family's History"
DESCRIPTION:Friday\, October 16\, 5:00 to 6:30 pm \nAmerican Ancestors’ Family Heritage Experience\, 97 Newbury Street\, Boston\, and online (hybrid event) \nAdmission is free; register at https://www.americanancestors.org/events/boston-book-launch-finding-cornerstone-stories-uncovering-inspiration-your-familys-history \nAmerican Ancestors® celebrates the Boston launch of “Finding Cornerstone Stories: Uncovering Inspiration in Your Family’s History\,” a new book by genealogist\, entrepreneur and speaker André Kearns\, with an author talk\, book sale and signing at its Family Heritage Experience on Newbury Street. The hybrid event\, open to attend in person or online\, marks the local debut of a book published in conjunction with American Ancestors as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. \nIn “Finding Cornerstone Stories\,” Kearns traces his family’s 250-year American story\, from some of the earliest Africans brought to colonial Virginia through the American South to present-day Washington\, DC. \nDrawing on more than two decades of research\, the richly illustrated collection of essays introduces readers to the entrepreneurs\, educators\, soldiers and community leaders in Kearns’s own lineage\, widening the lens on America’s founding era to include voices often left out of the traditional narrative. More than a memoir\, each chapter closes with genealogy tips and research strategies\, drawing on American Ancestors’ 10 Million Names initiative\, the national effort to recover the names of the estimated 10 million men\, women and children of African descent enslaved in what is now the United States. Kearns’s own research has contributed to that initiative\, including the Cedar Grove Plantation Database documenting individuals enslaved in North Carolina. \nOf his work\, Kearns says family history is a source of inspiration and connection\, and that recovering the people left out of the record means “we give the next generation something to stand on.” \nAndré Kearns is the founder and CEO of Black Ancestries\, a company that helps families of African descent uncover\, celebrate and preserve their family histories. A nationally recognized voice in African American genealogy\, he serves as Vice President of the National Genealogical Society’s Board of Directors and chairs its Development Committee\, and holds memberships in the District of Columbia Society\, Sons of the American Revolution; the Society of the First African Families of English America; and the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage. A sought-after speaker\, Kearns has presented at RootsTech\, the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference and the African American Historical and Genealogical Society Conference\, and his work has been featured by The Washington Post\, USA Today\, National Geographic\, Fox 5 DC and WTOP News. He previously held senior business and marketing roles at Amazon Web Services and other global technology companies\, holds a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and an MBA from Harvard Business School\, and lives in the Washington\, DC\, area with his wife and their two sons.
URL:https://mcgrathpr.com/event/book-launch-finding-cornerstone-stories-family-history/
CATEGORIES:Events
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