Honor Taunton’s Revolutionary history with a wreath‑laying, musket salute, and guided walking tour celebrating Patriot Robert Treat Paine. Explore OCHM, enjoy local partners, and return for a free lecture on African‑American roles in the Revolution. Registration required.
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
11 AM Walking Tour and Robert Treat Paine Tribute. 2 PM Guest Lecture
Join the Old Colony History Museum (OCHM) and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as we pay tribute to Taunton’s signer of the Declaration of Independence, Robert Treat Paine. May marks the 251st anniversary of the Second Continental Congress convening in Philadelphia to unite the thirteen colonies in support of the American Revolution—of which Paine was a delegate.
The tribute will include a wreath laying ceremony with musket fire by the SAR at the Robert Treat Paine statue in front of Taunton City Hall, followed by a Revolutionary walking tour of downtown led by OCHM, with help from the SAR. Following the completion of the walking tour, guests are invited to tour the museum, view our recently completed Military Room, try their hand at signing their name with Quill Pen and Ink, just like Robert Treat Paine, or are encouraged to have lunch with one of our partners, Union Straw (members are given a 10% discount when they show their OCHM membership card) or to grab a picnic lunch from Trucchi’s Supermarket down the road. At 2 PM, guests are invited to come back to OCHM’s gallery room for a guest lecture from local historian and reenactor, Jason Roomes, who will speak about African-American history and their involvement in the American Revolution.
This walking tour and guest lecture are funded by the Creative SouthCoast Initiative Fund of the SouthCoast Community Foundation. Through this grant, tickets for the walking tour and guest lecture will be at no cost to all visitors, but registration is required for attendance for both parts of the event. This grant is a part of the Creative SouthCoast Initiative Fund and will be a part of ArtWeek SouthCoast 2026, a 10-day regional celebration of art, culture, and community across Southeastern Massachusetts, taking place May 8-17. Artweeksouthcoast.org. This program will run in light-rain or shine.
