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Redcoats and Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution

  • Exeter Town Hall 9 Front Street Exeter, NH, 03833 (map)

New Hampshire often gets overlooked in the narrative of the American Revolution, overshadowed by its noisy neighbor to the south. Nowadays, few people know about Paul Revere’s first ride, which was to Portsmouth in December 1774 to warn the patriots that the British were coming to reinforce Fort William and Mary, five months before the Redcoats marched on Concord and Lexington. Nor do they know that two-thirds of the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill were from New Hampshire. Most people are also unaware that New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress adopted the first state constitution in January 1776, making no mention of royal authority and essentially declaring independence from Great Britain six months before anyone else. And this is just the beginning of New Hampshire’s revolutionary story. In this illustrated program, NH Historical Society homeschool program developer Mary Adams will explore this fascinating history.

Earlier Event: December 2
Holiday Open House 2025
Later Event: February 3
Dennis Waters's Photos of Exeter