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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20270101
DTSTAMP:20260312T163938Z
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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
UID:22270-1783987200-1794009599@mcgrathpr.com
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:20261018
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261219
DTSTAMP:20260930T192424Z
CREATED:20260930T192206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T192424Z
UID:22539-1792281600-1797638399@mcgrathpr.com
SUMMARY:Jason Bird: Parlor of Impossibilities in W. Hartford\, Westport & Mystic CT
DESCRIPTION:Magician and mentalist Jason Bird\, longtime Las Vegas headliner\, brings “Parlor of Impossibilities\,” his intimate evening of magic and mentalism\, home to his native state of Connecticut.  Fourteen 90-minute performances spanning three Delamar hotel properties offer an intimate room of just 60 guests ‘a night so exclusive\, even reality isn’t invited.’  Delamar West Hartford and Delamar Westport feature the show on select Sundays\, from October through December\, and the captivating show makes its Mystic debut in December at Delamar Mystic. Show dates offer performances at both 4 pm and 7 pm. \nBird brings more than 25 years and 9\,000 performances to the series\, including years headlining in Las Vegas at properties such as Bally’s and Caesars\, and national television appearances on NBC\, Fox and The CW’s “Masters of Illusion.” Bringing his long-applauded Nevada success to the east coast\, Bird is focused on building this residency in his home state and beyond: a recurring series of intimate\, elegant evenings inspired by the 19th-century tradition of parlor and salon magic. \n\n\n\n\n\n“I spent years performing big shows in big rooms\,” Bird said. “But there is something entirely different about magic when the audience sits just a few feet from the action. Guests can see and hear everything. They’re holding the objects at hand. They’re making the choices on how the show progresses. There’s nowhere for me to disappear\, and that’s exactly why it’s exciting.” \n“Parlor of Impossibilities” moves deliberately in the opposite direction from Las Vegas spectacle. No stage separates performer from audience. Sleight of hand\, psychological illusion\, mind reading and impossible predictions unfold only feet\, and sometimes inches\, from where guests are seated\, and at times the audience becomes part of the illusion itself. The resulting fusion experience combines theater\, magic\, and humor set as an unusually mysterious cocktail party. \n“Magic has a reputation for being either something for children or a fiery spectacle\, with dancers and people disappearing from boxes\,” Bird said. “There’s another tradition I’ve always loved: the magician in a beautiful room with a small group of people\, where the impossibility happens right in front of you. That’s what I wanted to bring back.” \n\n\nThe series found its first Connecticut home at Delamar West Hartford\, where sold-out performances revealed an appetite for sophisticated\, intimate live entertainment. It now extends to Delamar Westport and Delamar Mystic\, bringing the Parlor to southeastern Connecticut\, an entertaining treat during the holiday season. Paired with Delamar’s hospitality and dining\, each performance is designed as a complete evening out\, suited to date nights\, special occasions\, holiday gatherings\, corporate groups and visitors. Guests are invited to dress for the occasion in cocktail or evening attire\, if they wish. \n\n“There are beautiful hotels\, restaurants\, historic towns and people here who genuinely want interesting things to do just like in Vegas\,” Bird said. “We started asking ourselves: Why shouldn’t Connecticut have something like this?”\n\nBird said the real subject of the show isn’t magic\, but wonder. “Adults become very good at knowing how everything works\,” he said. “We Google it. We explain it. We solve it. There aren’t many opportunities left to sit in a room and genuinely say\, ‘I have absolutely no idea how that happened.” \n\n\nTickets for “Parlor of Impossibilities” range from $125 to $250. Ticket options can include a meet-and-greet with Jason Bird\, a photo with the artist\, a Q&A\, additional close-up magic. The $250 front-row VIP package includes the meet-and-greet and a souvenir “Parlor of Impossibilities” deck of cards. Tickets are available at ci.ovationtix.com/37012. The show contains no profanity or adult content and is recommended for guests age 12 and older. Performances begin on time with no late seating. Guests should arrive 20 to 30 minutes early and enjoy a beverage at the Delamar bar. Learn more at parlorofimpossibilities.com. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Jason Bird Productions \n\nMagician\, mentalist and author Jason Bird is a longtime Las Vegas headliner with more than 25 years of professional experience and 9\,000+ performances worldwide. His television appearances include experiences on NBC\, Fox and The CW’s “Masters of Illusion\,” and his work has been featured in Forbes\, LA Weekly\, the Los Angeles Times\, the Las Vegas Sun\, Vanish Magazine and Genii Magazine. He has performed for Fortune 100 companies\, celebrities\, professional athletes and royal families\, and his corporate clients include Google\, American Express\, Microsoft\, BMW and AT&T. \nKnown for his humorous\, intelligent and elegant style\, Bird blends sleight of hand\, psychology\, mentalism and storytelling to create experiences in which audiences surpass witnessing the impossible\, they participate in it. Jason is the author of “Strolling for Dollars” and resides in Connecticut. \nLearn more at jasonbirdproductions.com\, follow Jason Bird on Facebook and Instagram and “Parlor of Impossibilities” on Facebook.
URL:https://mcgrathpr.com/event/parlor-of-impossibilities-ct/
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