Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution

New Hampshire often gets overlooked in the narrative of the American Revolution, overshadowed by its noisy neighbor to the south. Nowadays, few people know about Paul Revere's first ride, which was to Portsmouth in December 1774 to warn the patriots that the British were coming to reinforce Fort William and Mary, five months before the Redcoats marched on Concord and Lexington. Nor do they know that two-thirds of the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill were from New Hampshire. Most people are also unaware that New Hampshire's Provincial Congress adopted the first state constitution in January 1776, making no mention of royal authority and essentially declaring independence from Great Britain six months before anyone else. And this is just the beginning of New Hampshire's revolutionary story.

About the Presenter:

Lucky enough to have been born and raised in New Hampshire, Mary has always loved surrounding herself with history. She is currently on staff at the New Hampshire Historical Society, where she has played a pivotal role in presenting the Granite State Stories programs for Humanities to Go in 2023 and 2024. She narrates many of the Society's video productions, including virtual field trips for children, and delivers workshops for adult audiences on organizing cemetery tours and scavenger hunts. Her passion for storytelling led her into a career as a tour guide, serving in locations like San Francisco, Boston, and her favorite, Glacier National Park. Mary also serves as the Director of Client Delight for the non-profit, The Pursuit of History, where she creates specially curated, one-of-a-kind experiences aimed at inspiring broader public engagement with history. Mary is an enthusiastic, down-to-earth speaker with a deep knowledge of New Hampshire history and a talent for making it engaging and accessible. She brings warmth, curiosity, and a light sense of humor to her programs and genuinely enjoys connecting with attendees and hearing their stories. Mary delights in welcoming conversations where participants connect history to their own lives and communities.

This event is made possible by New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with NHPBS, with additional support provided by Cogswell Benevolent Trust. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.