A Revolution in Dorchester

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What was it like to live during the Revolution?

At Pierce House or Your Site

This program provides students with a window into the Revolutionary War era through the journal of Colonel Samuel Pierce. A resident of Pierce House, Colonel Samuel recorded everything from the details of daily life on his farm to major events like the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the fortification of Dorchester Heights.

Students learn to analyze primary source documents to learn more about the past, examine reproduction artifacts and clothing, and work together to construct a Revolutionary War time line. At the end of the program they have an opportunity to write with a quill pen.

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Program Details

Available weekdays, year round, for grades 3 to 6.

At Pierce House: 2.5 hours, maximum group size: 25. Cost: $100 for up to 14 students, $175 for 15 – 25 students.

At Your Site: 1.5 hours, maximum group size: 30 students per program. Cost: $125 for 1 program, $215 for 2 same-day programs, $305 for 3 same-day programs.

Type of Program: Field Trips, Programs to Go

Related Topics: Colonial Life, Revolutionary Period

Sample Primary Source: Read excerpts below to find out what life was like at Pierce House during the Revolutionary War:

1762
Sept. 10: I Catcht 12 Dozen of Pigons
Oct. 25: mr Lyon Made me A Pair of Shoes
Oct. 30: Pulld Petaters and had 2 Bushels

1764
Jan. 18: Boston people move out their goods Very fast, for fear of the Sm
all Pox
Nov. 26: I went to boston and bought me Som Cloth to make me a Coat it is blew
serge

1765
July 3: I went a Lobstring it was a ver Rany fore noon I got about 20 Lobsters
Sept. 2: I fell from Lem Claps house and hurt me some but not very much I
fell about 16 foot
Oct. 24: I Enterd into the marrage State

1770
Jan. 25: the merchants in boston all vote against tee
March 6: Four men kild in boston by the Soldiers