Timeline to Revolution - Exhibit 3

History came alive at the Marlborough Public Library as the Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee presented the final installment of its Timeline to Revolution exhibit. This captivating showcase featured rare artifacts from the American Revolution, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the nation's fight for independence.

One of the most remarkable pieces on display was a Peter Force engraving of the Declaration of Independence, originally commissioned by John Quincy Adams for the 50th anniversary of the signing. Another standout artifact was a rare first American edition of John Trumbull’s The Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill, engraved by John Norman in 1789, so large that it required two sheets of paper to print.

Visitors also explored the legacy of John Warren, who famously delivered an oration on the Boston Massacre while wearing a Roman toga, just months before his death at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The exhibit also featured facsimiles of Amos Doolittle’s engravings of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, reproduced using a rare 19th-century technique to capture the original details.

Among the most significant documents on display was a commission signed by Samuel Adams, issued while Boston was under siege. The exhibit also examined the role of privateers in the war, displaying rare letters of mark—licenses permitting the legal raiding of British ships, including a letter from privateer John Manley thanking a supplier for grapeshot used in battle.

Personal letters from a Connecticut soldier provided a deeply human perspective, capturing the daily struggles and triumphs of those fighting for independence. One letter, written on June 16, 1775, described quiet anticipation before the Battle of Bunker Hill, while a later letter reassured his wife that he had survived and thanked her for the socks she sent.

With this exhibit concluding the pre-1776 timeline, the Marlborough Revolution 250 Committee is already preparing for next year’s continuation, which will explore the war from the signing of the Declaration of Independence through its conclusion in 1783.

Visitors left with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made in the pursuit of liberty, one artifact at a time.