The Boston Tea Party: A Living History Experience

Wednesday, October 21 | 1–2pm Ages 8+ Huzzah! What really happened at the Boston Tea Party- and why were colonists willing to dump an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor? Join us for a special living-history experience as we travel back to Boston in 1773 and explore one of the most famous events leading up to the American Revolution! With your instructor dressed in authentic period clothing, we’ll uncover the story behind the Boston Tea Party: the taxes and tensions that led to it, what happened on the night of December 16, 1773, and why tea became such a powerful symbol of protest. And, of course, we’ll taste the tea! Students will have the opportunity to smell, examine, and taste several of the historic varieties of tea associated with the cargo thrown into Boston Harbor, comparing their flavors and discovering just how different an 18th-century cup of tea could be. Through storytelling, discussion, historical objects and hands-on experiences, we’ll explore the Boston Tea Party not simply as a date to memorize, but as a real event involving real people faced with complicated choices. Class space is limited to twelve students. Wednesday, October 21 1:00–2:00pm Ages 8+