Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

In the 1760s and 1770s, North American colonists protested strenuously when they felt their rights were threatened by their government in Great Britain. Many lost their lives and property during the eight-year-long war for independence that began in Lexington in 1775. Learn more about the American Revolution in Lexington at https://bit.ly/41YYh34.

After winning their freedom, Americans sought to build a country dedicated to the ideal that “all men are created equal,” as asserted in the 1776 Declaration of Independence. July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of that visionary founding document.

*The museum will be closing at 2PM on July 2 and closed all day on July 3 for the holiday. We look forward to welcoming you back on July 6!*

Let’s take a look at the museum's 15-star flag in honor of this Sunday!

One of the treasures of the collection, this flag is one of only a handful still in existence made between 1794 and 1818. It dates from the same era as the Star-Spangled Banner, which flew at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) to write the words of the national anthem.

Flags of this size—the museum's flag is 12.75 feet high and nearly 11 feet wide—were created to mark the property of the government of the United States, such as a military fort or ship. Look for this amazing piece of American history on your next visit to the museum, and learn more about our collections at www.srmml.org/collections.

One month from today marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an audacious announcement that the thirteen British colonies in North America no longer considered themselves under the rule of King George III. The American Revolutionary War, the military conflict that facilitated this political break, began over a year earlier, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

The war would last over eight years, finally concluding with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. "Nothing Short of Independence," currently on view in the Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives’ reading room, is a selection of documents and books created during—and about—the American Revolutionary War.

This 1776 military appointment for Micah Chapman of Yarmouth, Massachusetts is among the objects on view. Learn more about it at https://bit.ly/4dSfcdA.

Historical Society of Old Yarmouth

The museum will be open this Saturday, May 30, from 9AM-4PM. Come see our exhibitions and visit our Library & Archives!

This program is offered in partnership with Freedom's Way National Heritage Area during the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History.

Visit our website to see what's on view at the museum and discover more Hidden Treasures: https://bit.ly/4nM5EFm