Huzzah! — Photo courtesy of Michael Blanchard Photography via Loeber Communications
Check out Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum for an interactive history lesson on Boston Harbor. Step back in time to December 16, 1773, in Boston. Attend a town meeting where you'll rally with other Bostonians to take a stand against British rule and taxes. Be a part of the night when mohawk-donned Patriots snuck aboard British ships and tossed the heavy crates of tea into the salty waters of Boston's Harbor, and then explore the museum and maybe even taste the tea when you're done.
The Museum allows you to sample the mutiny that kicked off the American Revolution with lively tours given daily on the half hour. These interactive visits will have you shouting, "Huzzah!" with as much passion as your guides. They'll have you acting as period characters, sharing your opinions inside their make-shift Old South Meeting House and rushing down to the ships to start the protest.
Once on board your vessel, designed to replicate the ships of the time, you'll toss blocks of "tea" into the sea, hear the story of the ship you are aboard, explore life below deck and leave with interesting tidbits of information.
Toss the tea into the sea — Photo courtesy of Jessica Polizzotti
After a stop on the dock, where you'll further learn about the historical figures who helped shaped the Tea Party, you'll head indoors to the museum to see a display of relics from 1773 - such as an actual (yet empty) tea crate - and to learn more about what led up to the Revolution.
Once the tour has ended, you should save some time to enjoy a tea tasting at Abigail's Tea Room, where tea is served with a side of history, as actors in period attire circle the room to share tea trivia with guests.
If you happen to be in Boston on December 16, 2013, then you can celebrate the 240th anniversary with a full-fledged reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. Boston will be alive with "protest" for the evening, giving ticket holders the opportunity to enjoy a spirited debate at Old South Meeting House followed by a march (complete with fife and drums) to Griffin's Wharf, where Boston Harbor will transform into a tea pot for the evening.
Ticket holders have the advantage of prime viewing for the festivities, scheduled to run 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Portions of the event will be open to the non-ticket-holding public.
Reenact the town meeting of December 16,1773 — Photo courtesy of Jessica Polizzotti
