The 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party

The Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates America 250! In anticipation of the July 4, 2026, 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 Colonies, the DAR wishes to remind everyone of the sacrifices and heroism of everyday men and women who fought for our freedoms that we enjoy today. December 16, 2023 will be the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

The following is an article written by the NSDAR National Vice Chair, Commemorative Events, Peggy O’Connor.

Ms. O’Connor wrote: “On December 17, 1773, John Adams wrote, ‘Last night, three cargoes of tea were empties into the Harbour. This is the grandest event which has ever yet happened since the controversy with Britain opened!’ He also wrote, ‘The people should never rise without doing something to be remembered, something notable, and striking. The destruction of the tea is so bold, so daring, so firm, intrepid, and inflexible, and it must have so important consequences, and so lasting, that I can’t but consider it as an Epocha in History.’[1]

“On November 28, 1773, the first of three ships arrived at Griffin’s Wharf in Boston. In 19 days, on December 16, 1773, 116 proven Tea Party participants destroyed 340 chests of tea weighing more than 92,000 lbs by dumping it into Boston Harbor. The colonists knew they had to do something to prevent the tea from being taken off the ship. They had asked the Royal Governor Hutchinson to allow the ships to be sent back to England without unloading the tea. He did not respond to this request. On December 17th customs officials were scheduled to board the ships to unload the tea. Once the tea was unloaded the tax would have to be paid. The events of December 16, 1773 started a chain reaction!

“John Hancock and Samuel Adams, architects of the Boston Tea Party planned the event, but stayed at Feneuil Hall to establish an alibi. These were ordinary men doing an extraordinary action.

“What happened after the Boston Tea Party was even more amazing. Men and women in other colonies rallied behind this idea and organized similar protests in their cities. As a result of the destruction of the tea in Boston, the British cut off all access to Boston by land and sea for three years. Bostonians were prevented from starving by sneaking food into Boston during those three years.

“What made the Boston Tea Party so impactful in the history leading up to the Revolution?

“The colonists’ major complaint was not that the tea was being taxed but that Parliament implemented the tax with no representation by the colonists. Parliament exerted this power move to gain more control over the colonists.

“How is Massachusetts DAR commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party?

Massachusetts DAR is participating in the grand commemoration of this anniversary by hosting a 2-day event. On Friday, December 15th, Daughters from across the country and special guests will tour the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, and the Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery located on the top floor of Faneuil Hall. We will also tour the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and have lunch with a tea-tasting of the five teas that were destroyed. An America 250! Marker will be dedicated at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, since many Tea Party participants are proven DAR patriots. There will be a banquet in the rooftop ballroom of the Omni Parker House Hotel. The speaker, Michele Gabrielson, will present a program on ‘A Bittersweet Victory: The Role of Chocolate in the Revolution’. On Saturday, December 16th, the Boston Tea Party (DAR) Chapter is holding a high tea with Samuel Adams coming to rally us to take the trolleys down to Griffin’s Wharf so that we may watch the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum reenactment of ‘Huzzah! Make Boston Harbor a Teapot Tonight!’

“How can we celebrate these events?

“As we approach the 250th birthday of our nation, learning about the Boston Tea Party, the Edenton Tea Party, and the other historic tea parties provides insight into the culture and mindset of patriots in many colonies leading up to the war. To celebrate these events, you can learn more about the women of Edenton, NC, who bravely protested and are now approved DAR Patriots!....”

The DAR is a non-profit women's service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. Any woman over 18 who can prove lineal descent to an ancestor who served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For more information on the DAR visit http://www.sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution asks everyone to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States of America and the Patriots that achieved American Independence. For more information visit https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org/

More information can also be found at https://www.december16.org/boston-tea-party-reenactment

[1] https://founders.archives.gov/...