On December 16, 1773, approximately 100-150 colonists changed the course of history by destroying 340 chests of East India Company tea. This act of defiance and protest would eventually become known as the “Boston Tea Party” and propel America down to road to Revolution. In honor of their bravery and participation in this historic event, The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and Revolution 250 — a consortium of organizations working together to commemorate the 250th anniversaries of the events that led to the American Revolution — have come together to form the Boston Tea Party Participant Grave Marker Project.
The goal of this international initiative is to locate the final resting places of the Boston Tea Party participants and place a commemorative marker at their graves, thus honoring their role in this iconic moment in world history. The project will proudly partner with local historical societies, museums, schools, and living history organizations, to celebrate and commemorate each community’s connection to the legacy of the Boston Tea Party.
The most recent dedication took place on October 15, 2022, in Westford, Massachusetts with the placement of the 118th commemorative plaque at the grave of Boston Tea Party participant Capt. Joseph Read. This commemoration took place in partnership with the Westford Cemetery Commission and the Westford Museum & Historical Society. Capt. Joseph Read was 57 years of age at the time of the Boston Tea Party, making him one of the oldest participants in the event. He became a prominent man in Westford and represented the community for 20 years in the General Court and served the town of Westford as a delegate at the provincial Congress.
Boston Tea Party Participant Commemoration Bantam, CT
In July of 2022, The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and Revolution 250 traveled to Bantam, CT to place a commemorative marker at the grave of Boston Tea Party participant Elisha Horton.
Special Thanks to the Litchfield Patriots, Bantam Historical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution for their partnership and support of this event.
As part of the 250th Anniversary year of the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum plans to place a commemorative marker at the grave of every known Boston Tea Party Participant across the U.S. by December 16, 2023.
Attendees honored at Boston Tea Party in Westford
Boston Tea Party participant honored in Westford
Editorial: Patriot finally honored for part in Tea Party lore 1
The Dedication of Captain Joseph Read, Boston Tea Party Participant Memorial
Editorial: Patriot finally honored for part in Tea Party lore
Westford Museum: The Dedication of. Captain Joseph Read, Boston Tea Party Participant Memorial
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