Historic Site Events
The Ghost of Major John Pitcairn
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
7:00 – 8:30pm
With Historian J.L. Bell
Live on Zoom
After Major John Pitcairn was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill, he was remembered in Britain as “a Gentleman of universal good character.” In Massachusetts, however, people still accused Pitcairn of having ordered redcoats to fire at the Lexington militia two months earlier. The major’s body was laid in the crypt of the Old North Church, but his memory haunted American history through stories, rumors, and artifacts linked to his name.
In this talk, J. L. Bell, proprietor of the history blog Boston 1775, sifts through the evidence behind those legends before digging into how a church warden with a shaky reputation sent Maj. Pitcairn’s body back to Britain—or did he?
J. L. Bell is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He is the proprietor of the popular blog Boston 1775 and the author of The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults, including “Peter Salem? Salem Poor? Who Killed Major John Pitcairn?” in the Journal of the American Revolution.
Celebrate the Fourth at Old North
Friday, July 4, 2025
10am – 7pm
Old North Church Historic Site
193 Salem St, Boston, MA
Join us at Old North Church for our annual Independence Day celebration. The delightful musical duo Tripp and Toddy will entertain visitors with period music and stage a “duel to the death.” Throughout the day, there will be dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence in the sanctuary, complete with booing and hissing at the mention of the king. We will also have traditional outdoor children’s games for young visitors to enjoy, such as marbles, cat’s cradle, and hopscotch. Come and explore Boston’s oldest surviving church building, see the newly revealed angel mural, and discover the secrets of the historic crypt.
Historic Paint Restoration: Uncovering Hidden Angels
A paint restoration project is currently underway at Old North to remove layers of white overpaint and reveal some of the church’s colonial-era artwork! Expert craftspeople are uncovering angels in the church’s sanctuary that were painted in the late 1720s and 1730s by congregation member John Gibbs. Visitors to Old North will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see long-hidden history being revealed.
Lantern & Luminaries with Ken Burns
On April 16, 2025, we were honored to present the celebrated filmmaker Ken Burns with the Third Lantern Award at Lanterns & Luminaries, our annual celebration of “two if by sea.” The award recognizes those who embody the values of leadership, courage, hope, tenacity, and active citizenship.
This video includes the full program, including remarks by Mr. Burns, Senator Ed Markey, and Governor Maura Healey. Guests at Lanterns & Luminaries enjoyed a sneak peek of Mr. Burns’s new documentary, The American Revolution, which is scheduled to premiere on PBS on November 16, 2025. An abbreviated clip from the documentary is shown in this recording of Lanterns & Luminaries.
Throughout the year, Old North Illuminated hosts authors, professors, and other experts for Speaker Series events. In honor of the 250th anniversary of Old North Church’s famous lantern signal in 2025, this year’s Speaker Series includes talks that focus on revolutions — their origins, their societal transformations, and their complex legacies. We hope you’ll join us.
Our 2025 Speaker Series events are brought to you in part by Hub Town Tours.
