Marblehead has received a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts 250 Grant Program to support its “Sails & Stories: Marblehead 250” project, a yearlong series of events celebrating the town’s vital role in the American Revolution.
The award, announced July 2 by the Healey-Driscoll administration and administered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, is part of a broader initiative to commemorate the Revolution’s 250th anniversary with inclusive, community-focused programming across the state.
“Sails & Stories: Marblehead 250” will blend heritage tourism, education and community engagement through historical reenactments, maritime events, educational partnerships and tourism promotion. Programming will begin in early 2026, with some lead-up activities in late 2025.
More broadly, Marblehead’s grant is one of 59 projects across Massachusetts that received a total of $2 million in the fiscal year round of Massachusetts 250 Grant Program funding.
Marblehead played a pivotal role in the American Revolution through its maritime strength and patriotism. The town’s skilled sailors and fishermen formed the backbone of the Continental Navy and privateering efforts, disrupting British supply lines and capturing crucial resources. General John Glover’s Marblehead regiment, known for its diverse makeup and exceptional seamanship, famously ferried George Washington’s troops across the Delaware River in 1776, a daring maneuver that changed the course of the war.
Beyond its naval contributions, Marblehead embodied the spirit of revolutionary sacrifice. Residents supplied ships, provisions and manpower at great personal cost, transforming the town into a critical launching point for the fight for independence. Its strong local leadership and support for the patriot cause helped shape Massachusetts’ identity as the cradle of American liberty, cementing Marblehead’s legacy as a community deeply entwined with the birth of the United States.
The Marblehead 250 Committee, formed by the Select Board in 2024, will oversee the project. The committee is co-chaired by town historian Donald Doliber, Marblehead Museum executive director Lauren McCormack and architect and historian Edward Nilsson.
As part of its outreach, the committee has launched a comprehensive website serving as a hub for events, historical resources and educational materials. The site features essays on architecture, timelines, Loyalist and Patriot home histories and rosters of Glover’s Regiment.
The committee emphasizes broad participation and is actively researching the roles of women, people of color and other overlooked stories. It also encourages volunteer work, including reviewing historic rosters and helping digitize records.
“Sails & Stories is a yearlong series of events and programming honoring Marblehead’s contributions to the American Revolution. It will blend heritage tourism, education and community engagement, anchored in stories both well-known and lesser known, including that of Joseph Brown,” grant writer Donna Cotterell, who secured the grant, told the Marblehead CurrentPartners include the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, Essex Heritage, Glover’s Regiment, Marblehead Museum, Sail Boston and various local civic groups.
“This new round of funding will bring people together to celebrate our shared history, especially as we approach Independence Day,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “These projects help us spark curiosity, invite community and businesses to join in, and build real excitement as we count down to a once-in-a-generation celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.”
For more information, visit marbleheadmuseum.org/250resources/.
