Paul Revere rode up Beacon Street blaring the news of rapidly approaching redcoats while Gov. Maura Healey trumpeted a message of her own, calling for Massachusetts to “show off our state over the next two years” as it prepares for center stage with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Healey even jumped briefly atop a horse Tuesday, in a seemingly unscripted moment, after the conclusion of a press conference where she and other officials touted the economic benefits that the Bay State can expect as thousands of tourists flock here for the sestercentennial.
“And part of the launch today is to make sure we get ahead of this, because we are the birthplace,” Healey told a crowd baking in the sun on the Beacon Street sidewalk, in front of what would have been John Hancock’s front doorstep in 1775.
The administration last week announced a total of $1.5 million in 250th grants for nonprofits, municipalities, and other groups preparing to mark the anniversary.
The 37 grant recipients include the Freedom Trail Foundation ($75,000), the Boston 4 Foundation that runs the Fourth of July extravaganza on the Esplanade ($60,000), the Charlestown Historical Society for a new “Brothers of the Battle” program ($50,000), the city of Chelsea for a program on “The Forgotten Story of the Battle of the Creek” ($50,000), and the Museum of African American History based on Nantucket and in Boston for a “Black Voices of the Revolution” exhibit ($75,000).
The governor said that “we’re going to leverage this moment to draw in visitors from all around not just the state, the country, but literally the world.” She added that “the more people who get involved, the bigger the boost there will be for our state.”
Healey placed emphasis on the Massachusetts of 2024, casting the upcoming historical reenactments, parades, and museum exhibits as a chance for the state to also showcase its modern economy.
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