SAR Magazine Fall 2023, Vol. 118. No. 2. pp. 6-7 Louisville, KY The 2024 Congress…
Worcester Revolution’s County-wide Read Underway
Twelve Libraries participating throughout Worcester County
(Worcester, MA) May 10, 2014 – Libraries across Worcester County have joined in the celebration of the Worcester Revolution of 1774 to bring Ray Raphael’s “First American Revolution: Beyond Lexington and Concord” to the region.
The Spirit of ’74 County-Wide Read is part of the year-long effort to recognize the 4,622 militiamen from 37 towns of Worcester County who marched down Main Street in Worcester, shut down the Crown‐controlled county courthouse and, for the first time ever in the American colonies, effectively overthrew British authority to become independent. The date was September 6, 1774. Not a shot was fired.
The program is free and no registration is required. All citizens of Worcester County are invited to attend the read at any participating library – currently, Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Milford, North Brookfield, Northborough, Paxton, Spencer, Sturbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, and Worcester. Please contact the Worcester Revolution through its website if your library also wants to participate.
Reading in May/June/July for discussions in June/July/August. Contact your library for information and copies of the book. Specific dates for meetings will be added to the schedule as they are announced.
| Library | Contact | Phone | Reading Period | Discussion Groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg Public Library | Sharon Bernard | (978) 829-1783 | July | August |
| Lunenburg Public Library | Martha Moore | (978) 582-4140 | June | July 2nd, 7pm |
| Milford Town Library | Anne Berard | (508) 473-2145 | July | August |
| North Brookfield Public Library | Anne Kidd | (508) 867-0208 | July | August |
| Northborough Public Library | Jean Langley | (508) 393-5025 | July | August |
| Paxton Public Library | Anita Fenton | (508) 754-0793 | July | August |
| Spencer Public Library | Denise Farmosa | (508) 885-7513 | May | June 10th, 7pm |
| Sturbridge Public Library | Becky Plimpton | (508) 347-2512 | July | August |
| Sutton Public Library | Betsy Rajotte | (508) 865-8752 | June/July | July 24/August 12 |
| Upton Public Library | Matthew Bachtold | (508) 529-6272 | July | September 6th, 7pm |
| Uxbridge Library | Debby Young | (508) 278-8624 | July | August |
| Worcester Public Library | Joyce Hennig | (508) 799-1655 | July | August 5/August 23 |
The read will culminate on September 7, 2014 with a free, day-long event in downtown Worcester for families and the general public. The date is set to align with the 240th anniversary of the event and will include re‐enactors, craftsmen, and others in period dress with demonstrations of colonial activities and life. Ray Raphael, the author of the book, will meet with participants to answer questions and sign copies of his book on September 7.
“Worcester Revolution of 1774, Inc. is proud to partner with the libraries for the role their communities played in 1774. It just seems a natural progression and a way to develop a sense of community pride and awareness in the pivotal role of the region in the founding of America”, said Worcester Revolution committee member Eric Niehaus.
The celebration of the Worcester Revolution of 1774 is made possible in part by generous grants and support from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Massachusetts Society of Colonial Wars, MassHumanities, and the Worcester Arts Council.
