Patriots’ Day Resource Guide

An engraving of the Battle of Lexington (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Wondering what life was like during the century between the late 1600’s and 1700’s, known as Colonial America? Or curious about what kind of foods people ate or games young people liked to play? If so, we’ve collected a variety of colonial recipes, games, coloring sheets, and more to satisfy your curiosity! We hope that the resources below inspire you to go back in time to a very different era in this country, and help you learn more about Patriots’ Day and its origins.

Why Does Massachusetts Celebrate Patriots’ Day? Do Other States Too?

Articles 1. For kids:

a. Sunniebunniezz.com: “Patriots’ Day” b. Kiddle Encyclopedia: “Patriots’ Day Facts for Kids”

2. For older readers: a. The History Channel: “What is Patriots’ Day?” b. New Bedford Guide: “Why Do We Observe Patriots' Day? A Candid, Informal Stroll

Down Memory Lane"" c. Yoni Appelbaum for The Atlantic: “Why Does Boston Hold a Marathon on Patriots’ Day?”

Videos 1. For kids:

a. PBS Learning Media: “Patriots’ Day | All About the Holidays" 2. For older viewers:

b. Jack O’Donohue: “Holiday Fun Facts: Patriots’ Day” c. City of Somerville: "2017 Patriots’ Day Colonial Fair" and "2016 Patriots’ Day Colonial

Fair"

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Who the Heck Was Paul Revere?

Articles: 1. For kids:

a. American History For Kids: “Paul Revere” b. Ducksters: “Paul Revere Biography” (audio version available)

2. For older readers: a. The Paul Revere House: “Paul Revere Biography”

Videos: 1. For kids:

a. Homeschool Pop: “Paul Revere For Kids | Classroom Edition” 2. For older viewers

a. History Channel: "Paul Revere and the American Revolution - Fast Facts | History"

Shape Up Somerville Activity: Visit the Paul Revere House in downtown Boston (when it opens back up and it is safe to gather in groups again) to see where and how he lived! In the meantime, you can learn more online by visiting the Paul Revere House website, where they are currently celebrating Patriots’ Day virtually as well! While you are downtown, stop by his grave at the Granary Grounds. Both sites are easily accessible by the T!

What Was Colonial Life Like?

Articles: 1. For kids

a. Social Studies for kids: “Life in the 13 Colonies Compared to Life Today” b. PBS: “Daily Life in the Colonies” c. Local Histories: “Daily Life in Colonial America”

Videos: 1. For kids

a. Colonial Williamsburg’s “Life as a Child in the 18th Century” b. Scholastic’s “Pilgrim Life with Scholastic News” c. …If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern Part 1 and Part 2

Shape Up Somerville Activity: Once it opens back up, visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA to learn more about life in colonial New England. It is accessible by car or from downtown Boston via bus or train. In the meantime, you can visit it virtually via its website.

How Did They Dress Back Then and Why Was It So Different From Today?

Articles: 1. Neilson School: "Homemade Tricorne Hats" (featuring a cool activity to try!) 2. Ducksters: "Colonial America for Kids: Men's Clothing" (audio version available) 3. Ducksters: "Colonial America for Kids: Women's Clothing" (audio version available) 4. PBS: "Colonial House . Interactive History . Dress Up | PBS" (Flash software required)

Videos: 1. The Newport Historical Society: “Stamp Act - 1765 Fashion: Fabric and Dress” 2. Mackinac State Historic Parks: “Women's Clothing at Colonial Michilimackinac”

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3. Mackinac State Historic Parks: “Dressing an 18th Century Merchant” a. Part 1 b. Part 2 (Accessories)

3. National Museums Liverpool: “Getting Dressed in the 18th Century – Men” 4. Elissa Parish: “Colonial Children’s Clothing. Capon Bridge WV Founders Day” 5. History at Play: “How to Wear 18th Century Woman’s attire - How To Video” 6. Liverpool Lady Lever Art Gallery: “Getting Dressed in the 18th Century- Working Woman”

Some Typical Images of Colonial Life and the Revolutionary War - Get Creative and Color Them How You Think They Should Look!

Colonial Children Walking to Their One Room Schoolhouse (Courtesy of usa-printables.com)

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Paul Revere’s Ride (Courtesy of supercoloring.com)

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Colonial Children Getting Ready for Bed (Courtesy of usa-printables.com)

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American Minuteman Soldier at the Battle of Lexington (courtesy of supercoloring.com)

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A Well-Dressed Early American Couple Going Out on the Town (Courtesy of usa-printables.com)

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! An Early American Child Bringing in Firewood to Heat His Home (Courtesy of usa-printables.com)

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Want more pages to color? Check out the following links!

1. Super Coloring: "American Revolutionary War Coloring Pages" 2. USA Printables: "Early American Life Coloring Pages" 3. Apples 4 the Teacher: "US History for Children - Revolutionary War Color Pages" (No printing

required, as you can color directly online! However, Flash software is required.)

Get Moving with Some Fun Colonial Games!

A whirligig was a popular toy that colonial children played with and is pretty easy to make at home! Here’s how:

Cut out a 4 inch (10 cm) circle on a piece of stiff cardboard or use a large 2-or-4-hole button. Make two holes in the cardboard approximately 3/8 inch (9 mm) from the center as shown above. Thread a piece of string about 2-1/2 feet long through the holes and tie the ends together. Proceed by twirling the circle until the string is tangled and then pull. Continue the pulling and relaxing method and enjoy the Whirligig. (photo and instructions courtesy of the Pencader Heritage Museum)

For more fun games and activities, check out these links!

4. Pencader Heritage Museum: "Colonial Children's Games" 5. Holliston Historical Society: "Colonial Fun and Games" 6. Education Possible: "Fun Colonial Games for Children to Play"

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Time to Be Creative in the Kitchen! Basic Recipes from Colonial America

Make a colonial snack at home: parched corn

Parched corn was eaten regularly by Native American warriors and hunters as a high energy trail food long before European explorers. It was also a typical food or treat for the colonists as well. This snack is easy to make and very filling! Recipe and photo from The Utah Preppers

Ingredients:

• Dried corn • 1 tablespoon oil or butter

Any of the following toppings for your corn: • Molasses • Brown sugar • Maple syrup • Shredded cheese • Dried fruit (apples work well) • Cooked meat diced up • Red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Dry your corn. To dry corn on the cob, you can hang it in a dry place for two to three weeks and then remove the kernels from the cob. Or, you can buy frozen corn and dry it by heating in the oven at 150 degrees for two to three hours.

2. Heat the oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add enough corn kernels to cover the bottom of your pan.

3. Cook the corn, occasionally shaking the skillet, until a few of the kernels pop like popcorn and the rest of the kernels start to brown and puff up.

4. Remove from heat. Drain the corn on a paper towel and add any desired toppings. Be creative!

For more colonial recipes, check out the following links!

1. Joe Frogger Cookies from Marblehead, Massachusetts 2. Colonial Recipes from colonialsense.com 3. More Colonial Recipes from historyisfun.org 4. Even more Colonial Recipes from gaspee.org

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Take a Hike! Historic Walks, Bike Rides, and Other Activities

1. Shape Up Somerville Activity: Go on a scavenger hunt around Nathan Tufts Park and the Old Powder House where a very significant event took place before the Revolutionary War. Two versions of the scavenger hunt clues are below. Pick which one works for you! You can also find both documents online here. Make sure to observe “social distancing” rules and to wear a face mask!

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2. Shape Up Somerville Activity: Retrace the 2016 bike tour “Much of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”! See below for a route map and click the following links for an online version of the map, a turn by turn cue sheet, and information about interesting stops along the way!

“Much of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” Route Map

3. From our friends at the Paul Revere House: Make your own Lantern! “Become a part of a Patriots' Day movement with #FindYourLantern. Download and print out a special lantern image (or print two to be historically accurate about the Midnight Ride), decorate them, and show them off in the highest window in your home! Don't forget to share your creations with the world between Saturday, April 18 and Monday, April 20 by tagging @oldnorth1723 and using the hashtag #FindYourLantern.”

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And to Conclude, We Offer Some Colonial Poems and Stories!

Text 1. “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 2. “The Divine Source of Liberty” by Sam Adams 3. “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson 4. “Lexington” by Oliver Wendell Holmes 5. More Revolutionary War poems can be found here.

Videos 1. Somerville resident and upcoming Councilor At Large Kristen Strezo, her daughter Bella Strezo-

Filippo, and her resident grandmother Grace read “Paul Revere’s Ride” 2. Somerville Docent and elementary school teacher Kathleen Pondelli reads Sam the Minuteman by

Nathaniel Benchley (elementary level) and Let It Begin Here! Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin (middle school level)

3. Woodmere Art Museum: “Paul Revere’s Ride” with music and pictures

Plus Drums and Fifers to the Ready for Popular Songs and Music!

Videos 1. "Yankee Doodle" (with lyrics) 2. “The Liberty Song” by John Dickinson (with lyrics) 3. “Chester” by William Billings (with lyrics) 4. Fife and Drum Music of the Revolutionary War produced by the Company of Military Collectors &

Historians (Instrumental) 5. “Preserving the Music of the 18th Century” by the Townsends (short documentary style video)

www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

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