REV250 Marblehead's Revolution Tour

We view the exterior of this beautiful 18th-century home and discuss Robert “King” Hooper, a prominent Marblehead merchant whose Loyalist leanings placed him in quiet conflict with Patriot neighbors as the Revolution approached.

We view the exterior of this grand 1768 mansion and discuss Jeremiah Lee, one of Marblehead’s wealthiest merchants and a key Patriot leader who met with Samuel Adams and John Hancock on the eve of Lexington and Concord. His sudden death weeks later remains one of the Revolution’s most debated local stories.

Old Town House. We stop at the historic Old Town House, built in 1727, where Marblehead’s town meetings, debates, and decisions shaped its path toward independence. Here, neighbors argued, voted, and ultimately chose whether to support the Revolutionary cause.

Azor Orne house. We pass the home of Azor Orne, a Marblehead merchant and Patriot leader who was present at a pivotal meeting the night before Lexington and Concord. We discuss how merchants like Orne helped sustain the Revolutionary effort through ships, financing, and logistics.

Elbridge Gerry House. We view the home of Elbridge Gerry, a Marblehead native, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and future Vice President. We explore his cautious path to supporting independence and the risks faced by leaders with wealth and reputation on the line.

At this historic harbor defense site, we discuss Marblehead’s maritime role in the Revolution and the town’s later stand protecting the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.