Natick Historical Society Awarded “Promises of the Revolution” Grant from Mass Humanities

The Natick Historical Society (NHS) has been awarded a grant of $12,250 from Mass Humanities for its project Natick in the American Revolution. The project, which is also supported with matching funds from the Frank and Shelia Magullion Foundation, will authenticate and raise awareness of Natick’s approximately 200 Revolutionary War Soldiers.

Natick’s 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill Muster Roll, now under conservation with support from Natick’s Community Preservation Funds, will be featured in the Natick in the American Revolution project.

A diverse and experienced research team that includes Pamela Ellis, Terri Evans, Mia Kheyfetz, Sean Osborne, and Fran Weisse, and is led by NHS Executive Director Niki Lefebvre, NHS Research Archivist Jennifer Richards, and Humanities Advisor Brenna Greer is beginning its research now. The team will collaborate with graphic designer Sebastian Ebarb, Natick public school teachers, and a website design intern.

In late spring, community members can expect to celebrate a traveling memorial that recognizes all of Natick’s Revolutionary War soldiers by name, an online exhibit that will explore some soldiers’ stories in detail, and an archive-in-a-box project that will be available to secondary school students in Natick. A community event with the research team and teachers will kick off the project in late spring.

Since 2021, Mass Humanities has distributed $3.8 million in EMS grants with support from Mass Cultural Council and the Barr Foundation. The initiative creates opportunities for local organizations and audiences to delve into the past, record the experience of residents, and deepen public understanding of the ideas, events, and people who shape Massachusetts.