Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

11/06/2023

250 Years Ago: The tea Consignees have not only failed to provide details of their arrangements with the East India Company, but have also refused the demands of the Sons of Liberty and the wishes of a legal town meeting. Their behavior has been deemed “daringly affrontive to the town”. Stay tuned and find out who makes the next move in this game of chess between the Sons of Liberty and the tea Consignees 250 years ago!

11/05/2023

250 Years Ago: A Town Meeting is held at Faneuil Hall with John Hancock called as moderator. The Meeting denounces the “Tradesmen’s Protest” and adopts the Philadelphia Resolves and determines to prevent the sale of East India Company tea (See our posts from 10/15 and 16). A delegation from the Town Meeting, including Mr. Hancock, visits the tea Consignees again and demands their resignation. Richard Clarke and his son Isaac, along with Benjamin Faneuil Jr., refuse on the grounds that they do not yet know the nature of their full arrangement with the East India Company in receiving the tea. The Hutchinsons are ‘unavailable’, having gone to Milton the evening before.

11/04/2023

250 Years Ago: A group of loyalist-leaning tradesmen distribute a broadside notice throughout Boston entitled “Tradesmen’s Protest against the Proceedings of the Merchants” showing support for the tea Consignees, and condemning the “Friends of Liberty.” The posting calls out the proposed meeting at the Liberty Tree as “illegal and underhanded…and that such Proceedings will tend to create Disorder and Tumult in the Town…the Method of notifying said Meeting is mean and despicable, and smells of Darkness and Deceit”. At the urging of many town inhabitants, the Board of Selectmen call a town meeting for tomorrow, November 5th to discuss...Stay tuned…

https://bit.ly/472ERLs

11/03/2023

Welcome to AI Friday! During the next several weeks leading up to the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in December, we will share an AI generated image surrounding the tea crisis in Boston 250 years ago! Today's image is called "We're waiting!" Depicting the Sons of Liberty waiting for the public resignations of the tea Consignee merchants!

11/03/2023

in 1754 Boston Tea Party Participant Adam Beals Jr. was born in Hingham, Massachusetts. His family lived on Hull Street in Hingham's Second Precinct, which eventually became part of Cohasset, Massachusetts. In addition to being involved in the Boston Tea Party, he served in the Battle of Lexington, marched on the alarm on April 19, 1775, served in Quebec in September of 1775, marched to bennington in August of 1777, and served on an expedition to Stillwater and Saratoga. Both he and his brother Enoch were present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Around 1810, both Adam and Enoch moved to St. Albans, VT and remained there until their deaths. Adams would work as a cabinet maker in St. Albans until his death in 1834. In Septmber of 2022, we were honored to place a commemorative marker at his grave in St. Albans, VT.

11/03/2023

250 years Ago: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, William Molineux, Dr. Joseph Warren, and roughly 500 citizens gather at the Liberty Tree to await the arrival of the East India Company tea merchant Consignees. Bells in towers across the town ring for a solid hour and Town Criers call the people to the Liberty Tree, which also sends a message to the Consignees that the time is nigh! Meanwhile across town, the Consignees have also gathered in the counting-room of Richard Clarke’s warehouse at the foot of King Street at Long Wharf, no doubt discussing the demand of the Sons of Liberty. When the Consignees defiantly do not show, and refuse to parley with a delegation of men led by Mr. Molineux, the scene turns violent as a mob storms the building! They wrench the doors off the hinges, fling stones and mud, and charge through the doorway, driving the Consignees and their colleagues up to the second floor where they manage to barricade themselves and remain for an hour and a half before the crowd finally disperses. It's been a tense couple of days!! Follow the Boston Tea Party story as it unfolded 250 years ago! Stay tuned to find out what happens next! Pictured: Illustration of The Liberty Tree in Boston. From A History of Boston by Caleb H. Snow, 1825.; Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Dr. Joseph Warren, and Richard Clarke

11/03/2023

We had a morning visit from Slyde and our friends at New England Revolution!!! Looking forward to joining up for the match next Wednesday 11/8 in Foxborough! Come find us in the Fan Zone and bring your lose leaf tea donation and we'll add it to the tea being tossed into Boston Harbor on the 250th Anniversary of the BTP next month on 12/16! HUZZAH!

11/02/2023

Did your ancestors board the vessels lying at Griffin's Wharf on December 16th, 1773 and toss 92,616lbs of East India Company tea into Boston's harbor? Unlock your ancestry and become a member of our Boston Tea Party Descendants Program- Just in time for the 250th Anniversary of the historic event! Through the partnership of American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society gain access to research, historical documents, aid from genealogists, lesson plans, secondary resources, oral histories, newsletters etc. Your history is only a few steps away!
"Join the Party" https://bit.ly/3MiOrlC

In partnership with the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is pleased to announce the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program.

11/02/2023

: 250 Years Ago: At 1am, two men awakened merchant and East India Company tea Consignee Richard Clarke and his family with a “violent pounding on the door” at his home on School Street, with delivery of the following letter: “There is a quantity of tea consigned to your house...which is destructive to the happiness of every well-wisher to his country. It is therefore expected that you personally appear at Liberty Tree, on Wednesday next, at twelve o’clock at noonday, to make a public resignation of your commission, agreeable to a notification of this day for that purpose. Fail not upon your peril.(signed) O.C.”
Similar letters are sent to the other Boston East India Company Consignees: Joshua Winslow, Benjamin Faneuil Jr., Elisha and Thomas Hutchinson Jr. (Sons of the Royal Governor). Scholars believe that the “O.C.” is a reference to Oliver Cromwell, the English statesman who led the parliamentary effort against King Charles I in the English Civil War. Will the tea consignees comply with the demands of the Sons of Liberty? Check back tomorrow and find out!

11/02/2023

Many thanks to our neighbor across the water!!! Lesser known fact- The InterContinental Boston sits on the very site that was once Griffin’s Wharf!

11/01/2023

It's November 1st, and we can officially say the Boston Tea Party turns 250 NEXT MONTH! Check out this great article by the The Boston Globe!
Explore Boston Tea Party exhibitions at Massachusetts Historical Society and Revolutionary Spaces! Then come to the museum and board one of our vessels and throw tea into the harbor!

https://bit.ly/3StXkNb

An exhibition at the Massachusetts Historical Society looks back at one of the most celebrated protests in American history.

11/01/2023

Continue following Boston Tea Party history as it unfolds 250 years ago! The situation is about to get serious in Boston! Check back tomorrow! $december16

11/01/2023

Continue following Boston Tea Party history as it unfolds 250 years ago! The situation is about to get serious in Boston! Check back tomorrow!

11/01/2023

We've been busy processing tea donations! Thanks to the countless DAR groups across the country that gathered tea within their communities and groups and sent them to Boston to be thrown into the harbor on December 16th, 2023 for the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party! A shout out to: Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter DAR Fairfield, Connecticut, Oro Fino Chapter NSDR, New Haven Colony Connecticut National Society of New England Women.

11/01/2023

Join us daily for our Winter Hours!
Open 7 Days a Week!
Museum Tours 10am-4pm
Museum Gift Shop & Abigail's Tea Room 9am-5pm.

10/31/2023

Starting November 1st, we move to our Winter Hours!
Join us 7 Days a Week!
Museum Tours 10am-4pm
Museum Gift Shop & Abigail's Tea Room 9am-5pm.

10/31/2023

When rain falls in Boston, it's the perfect excuse to explore the city's indoor wonders. Stay dry and enjoy the day with some of our favorite rainy day activities around town! 🤗

10/30/2023

Founder John Adams was born on this date in 1735. In addition to serving as the second US President from 1797-1801 following his Vice Presidency under “the General” George Washington, Mr. Adams had a long ambitious political career. His beginnings as an attorney, had him defending the Captain and soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre as well as John Hancock in a famous smuggling charge referred to as “The Liberty Affair.” As a delegate to both Continental Congress’ he assisted in drafting the Declaration of Independence and was instrumental in forming a new nation. He served as a special envoy and ambassador to France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, in which he had the honor of addressing King George III on behalf of the United States.
In addition to his political ambitions, he cherished farming and family, especially his devoted wife, closest advisor, and “dearest friend”, Abigail. Happy Birthday Mr. Adams!

10/28/2023

Captain John Parker received a backdrop of the Green at Lexington! Check out the before and after pics! Great photo op on your next visit!

10/28/2023

Get Involved! Volunteer for the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party! Help with crowd control and be part of the festivities on December 16th, 2023!
https://bit.ly/3Q8MqJM

The Annual Reenactment of the Boston Tea Party is more than a historical reenactment. It is a community celebration that brings to life an iconic story in a way that is interactive, educational, and meaningful to a tremendous amount of people. The Annual Reenactment provides neighboring businesses a...

10/27/2023

YOU DID IT AMERICA!!! ALL 50 STATES!!! It's official! We have received tea from all 50 states to be thrown into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party Reenactment on the 250th Anniversary this December 16th, 2023! HUZZAH! Keep it coming!

Donation details here: https://bit.ly/3tuHzet

10/27/2023

Special thanks to the Skahasegao Chapter, National Daughters of the American Revolution for sending us tea and A SHIP! We love it!

Today, the Ska-Hase-Ga-O Chapter, NSDAR filled a British ship with donations of loose-leaf tea to send to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. The museum will be dumping tea in the Boston Harbor on Dec. 16, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

10/25/2023

250 Years Ago: Captain Lockyer's vessel Nancy bound for New York harbor has been left behind by the fleet of vessels carrying East India Company tea. It will be weeks before the Nancy turns out beyond the English Channel into open sea.

10/25/2023

Today we celebrated our Two Millionth Guest since our opening in 2012! Huzzah and Congratulations to the Dilday Family!!!! HUZZAH!!! 🎉

10/25/2023

in 1753 Boston Tea Party Participant Joseph Ludden was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. Ludden was a 20 year old blacksmith in 1773. Following his participation in the Boston Tea Party, he married Sarah Brown Ludden and together they had six children. Like many others, he served in the Revolutionary War. Following his service he moved to Maine and returned to his work as a blacksmith. In October of 2022, we were honored to place a commemorative marker at his grave in Turner, Maine. Visit the link below for memories and photos from that wonderful ceremony in 2022.

https://bit.ly/3rMW9gF

Descendants of Joseph Ludden attend a ceremony at his gravesite.

10/24/2023

Discover your next travel adventure at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where history comes alive and every visit is a journey through time. 📜

10/23/2023

Tonight's the night! Don't forget to register for this evening's webinar with Leena Bhatnagar on the role of the East India Company in the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Bhatnagar is an economist and writer and author of the historical fiction novel "The Tea Merchant". Visit the link below to learn more and register for this FREE webinar.
https://bit.ly/48WTLVt

In honor of the Boston Tea Party’s 250th Anniversary, join Leena Bhatnagar, economist and writer, as she discusses how the British East India Company and global circumstances contributed to the […]

10/23/2023

Deadeyes!

10/21/2023

Thanks Mercer County Historical Society! We'll be on the lookout for your tea and add it to the bunch!

Oct. 19—PRINCETON — About 250 years ago this December, Americans angry about taxes imposed on them protested by seizing crates full of British tea, breaking them open and dumping them into Boston Harbor. The event dubbed the Boston Tea Party took place on Dec. 16, 1773. Americans outraged when t...

10/20/2023

Huzzah!!! Best Halloween display EVER!!! Take a drive out to Acton Rd. in Westford, MA and check out The Funny Bone Bunch and this AMAZING yard display! ...And donate!!

A huge Halloween display in Westford has a lesson in history and a deeper purpose for visitors.

10/19/2023

Students, get involved in the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party!!!

10/18/2023

Explore our newest arrivals in the gift shop, designed exclusively for this year's 250th celebration of the Boston Tea Party. These special items won't be around for long, so seize the chance to own a piece of history before they're gone! ☕️
➡️ https://bit.ly/31sPbOo

10/17/2023

250 years ago Philadelphia introduced and adopted eight resolutions to oppose the Tea Act of 1773. These resolutions soon made their way to Boston and would ultimately be adopted there as well. Here is an abridged listing of these resolutions:
Parliament's taxing of Americans without their consent is an infringement upon the right to property. The taxes levied on Americas to support royally appointed Governors, officials and justices, as well as the military renders colonial assemblies useless and introduces an arbitrary government. It is the duty of every American to oppose the ministerial plan of Parliamentary taxation. Every American owes to their country, to themselves, and to their posterity. Parliament’s plan to send tea to America is a violent attack upon the liberties of America. Anyone who aids or abets the unloading, receiving, or vending the tea is an enemy to their country. Committees should form and seek the resignations of the loyalist consignee merchants selling the forthcoming tea.
These resolutions become the roadmap for Boston's opposition to the TAX ON TEA!

10/16/2023

Was Boston a little late to the Tea Party? 250 years ago, exactly two months to the day before the Boston Tea Party, Philadelphia held a large town meeting where “the business was conducted with prudence, spirit, and unanimity,” in which eight resolutions were passed in opposition to the Tea Act. Years later John Adams admitted to Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia that had resistance not been started elsewhere, Boston probably would have accepted the tea, duty and all. Rush wrote to Adams that “The flame kindled on that day (October 16, 1773) soon extended to Boston and gradually spread throughout the whole continent. It was the first throe of that convulsion which delivered Great Britain of the United States.”

10/16/2023

10/14/2023

Eleanor figurehead freshly painted and looking good for
62 days and counting!

10/13/2023

We are thrilled to host celebrated author and historian Brooke Barbier for an evening of colonial libations and John Hancock. Huzzah! 🍺🍷🍻

10/12/2023

250 Years Ago: Seven vessels carrying the fated East India Company tea are in various stages of their voyage to America. The winds in the English Channel continue to be a challenge for the vessels Nancy headed for New York who still remains in the Downs at Deal and Captain Loring's vessel William headed for Boston is making slow progress toward the Atlantic. Vessels Dartmouth and brig Beaver for Boston and the Polly for Philadelphia are full sail toward the North Atlantic. Captain Curling's vessel London will soon set a southernly course toward Charleston in South Carolina Colony.

10/12/2023

A great opportunity for teachers and students!

Calling all teachers and students! Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with your artwork and creative writing! Upload your creative projects to a free virtual exhibit: https://bit.ly/46ebWE1

10/11/2023

What do you get when you cross a Mad Tea Party with a Boston Tea Party? Curiouser and Curiouser! Follow the link or uh, the White Rabbit and find out. ...Don't be late!
https://collections.theeastindiacompany.com/pages/alice-in-wonderland