Hear ye, hear ye! On the anniversary of our country’s quest for freedom, Arlington’s Dallin Art Museum—once again—honors our country’s revolutionary history.
On Monday, April 20, starting at 10 a.m., experience Arlington’s revolutionary history, brought to life by Arlington locals. The Dallin Art Museum has held this event for more than 10 years, and it’s now an Arlington tradition! It takes place in Whittemore Park in front of the Dallin Museum, 611 Mass Ave (on the corner of Mass Ave and Mystic Street). Bring a chair and/or blanket.
This free, family-friendly program honors the anniversary of the Battle of Menotomy (Arlington’s former name) and the start of the Revolutionary War. Learn about the Battle of Menotomy and imagine what it was like on that tumultuous day, April 19, 1775.
The program features live readings of the Dallin Art Museum’s two favorite Paul Revere-themed poems—one authored by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the other by Cyrus Dallin himself. Also hear the fascinating story of Dallin’s 57-year battle to complete his famous Paul Revere monument in Boston’s North End. Plus, experience a beautiful small-scale cast of the statue in the east garden, and venture into the museum to view a rare prototype.
Event schedule
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Presentations in the park:
·Welcome Statement—Geri Tremblay, Dallin Museum Board of Directors President
·Historical Context, Patriots’ Day in 1775 America—Michael Ruderman, Arlington Town Meeting Member
·Reading of Longfellow’s Poem “Paul Revere’s Ride”—Larry Slotnick, Arlington Town Meeting Member
·Battle of Menotomy—Robert Brazile, Arlington Historical Society President
·Story of Dallin’s Revere Sculpture—Mark DeCew, Dallin Museum Trustee
·Dallin’s Corollary to Longfellow’s Poem—Rod Holland, Town Meeting Member
·Closing Statement—Sarah Burks, Dallin Museum Board of Trustees Chairperson
Followed by a museum open house.
After the program, you can explore the museum and/or head to Town Hall—and on your way view the Painted Horse at Whittemore Park—where Paul Revere and William Dawes arrive on horseback at 12:30 p.m.! (Family activities and refreshments at that location begin at 11 a.m.)
Dallin Art Museum
The Dallin Museum is a hallmark to artist, and former Arlington resident, Cyrus Dallin. It contains the largest collection of Dallin’s art in the world, and is open for visits on Saturdays and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. To arrange group tours, contact Nancy Blanton, nblanton@dallin.org.
Located on the ancestral land of the Massachusett Tribe, the museum pays its respects to their descendants who still inhabit this land today.
For more information about Dallin’s work and museum events, visit dallin.org.