Countdown to 250
- Laura Mars
- Aug 25
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 26
THE BERKSHIRES PLAYED A PIVOTAL PART IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
By Laura Mars
“The Knox Trail is the Berkshire's most significant contribution to our independence,” says State Senator Paul Mark, co-chair of the Massachusetts Special Commission on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, or MA250. “The sheer amount of artillery that Knox transported to Boston caused the British to leave the city forever. Seeing their ships sail away gave the rest of the colonies the courage and confidence to fight for their country.”
The Knox Trail, also known as the Noble Trail of Artillery, is 300 miles of forests, swamps, and rivers from Fort Ticonderoga, New York, to Cambridge, Massachusetts, crossing into the state at the village of Alford. It’s the path forged by General Henry Knox and a few hundred men, draft horses, and sledges in the winter of 1775–76. Transporting the cannons was Knox’s idea, knowing that General George Washington needed fortification to hold Boston. Washington loved the idea and told Knox to get it done!
In turn, Knox and his men were destined to deliver 59 cannons and other artillery to anxiously awaiting Washington, desperately in need of weapons to fight the advancing British. Washington was so impressed when Knox rode in with the artillery that he named him chief of the Continental Army artillery. As such, Knox positioned the formidable cannons on the high ground at Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor, scaring the British into evacuating on March 17, 1776.
Known as Evacuation Day, Washington’s win was a direct result of Knox’s seemingly impossible journey that lasted some 60 days—a journey that is attracting more attention as we move closer to July 4, 2026.
Thanks to organizations like MA250, Rev250, and Berkshire County Historical Society’s Berkshire250, events leading up to the American Revolution are being celebrated. They range from the Boston Tea Party to lesser-known acts that were no less couragious or rebellious—some occurring right here in the Berkshires. Despite the efforts of local historians and commemorative monuments throughout this region, a straw poll shows that many here are unaware, like I was, of the crucial role that the Berkshires played in our independence.
When I lived just over the state line in Hillsdale, New York, for example, I knew of the plaque at the end of the property that read, “Through this place passed Gen. Henry Knox in the winter of 1775-1776 to deliver to Gen. George Washington at Cambridge the train of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga used to force the British army to evacuate Boston.” Despite living just feet from the Henry Knox Trail, I had no sense of its historical significance. Years later, after moving to Great Barrington, I often walked right past another plaque outside Town Hall: “Near this spot stood the first courthouse of Berkshire County erected 1764. Here, August 16, 1774, occurred the first open resistance to British rule in America” Again, I failed to appreciate what took place right under my nose—colonists protesting the Intolerable Acts, uniting against the British and moving with resolute determination toward a revolution.
As recently as May 1 of this year, I became aware of yet another important precursor to our independence when I joined a gathering in Pittsfield’s Park Square to commemorate a secret meeting that occurred 250 years earlier at Easton’s Tavern. That is where John Brown, Colonel James Easton, and Captain Edward Mott devised plans to capture Fort Ticonderoga and its cannons, clearing the way for Knox’s remarkable journey. A plaque near Berkshire Museum, yet another one that I often passed but didn’t pay attention to, states, “Near this spot stood Easton’s Tavern. Here on May 1, 1775, Colonel James Easton and John Brown of Pittsfield and Captain Edmund Mott of Preston, Conn. planned the capture of Fort Ticonderoga which on May 10 surrendered to the Continental volunteers under Ethan Allen with Colonel Easton second in command.”
“There is no question that the leading factions of the Berkshires felt as strongly as those in any part of Massachusetts,” says Jonathan Lane, president of Rev250. “My experience with the 250th celebrations so far, like the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s Ride, and the Battle of Lexington and Concord, shows that despite the political and social turmoil in the country, there is still a deep and abiding interest in this foundational story—and people are looking for more. The Berkshires should be prepared to capitalize on that, particularly in light of the Knox Trail events coming up in 2026.”
And prepared we are. In fact, not everyone is waiting for the actual anniversary of the Knox Trail this winter to celebrate General Knox and his extraordinary feat. Freemasonry, the oldest secular fraternity in the world with about 18,000 members in Massachusetts, is starting an eight-city celebration this summer at Fort Ticonderoga on July 19, with a program on the role of Freemasonry in our fight for freedom. Knox, Washington, and Revere were just some of the more well-known Freemasons who were crucial to the country’s fight for freedom.
The next stop for the Freemasons events is in Great Barrington on August 2, when a Revolutionary-era replica cannon will be fired in Memorial Park on Bridge Street at 10 a.m. Spectators will be treated to fife and drum corps music and an American Revolution battle reenactment. At 11 a.m., activities move to the First Congregational Church on Main Street, where local historian Bernard Drew will talk about his book Henry Knox and the Revolutionary War Trail in Western Massachusetts, followed by comments from Massachusetts Freemason Grand Master George Hamilton. The event is free and open to the public. Freemasons continue to celebrate throughout the state with events in Springfield in September, Sturbridge in October, Worcester in November, Lexington in December, Boston in February, and Dorchester Heights in March, where a statue of Henry Knox will be dedicated.
A second Knox Trail celebration—the Parade of Recognition—starts this winter on January 10, 2026, the actual day Knox arrived in the Berkshires 250 years ago. This event is a collaboration of Berkshire250, MA250, and Rev250. “The two Knox Trail events aren’t competing, but complimentary,” says Senator Mark, noting that everything that happened in the Berkshires led up to what becomes the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, so the more celebrations the better.
The parade will pull into Great Barrington on January 10, with sleds and cannon tubes pulled by draft horses—and Knox himself, of course—met by area militia, much like it happened 250 years ago. Local leaders and historians with be on hand to talk about the trail’s connection to the area. Similar parades will take place in seven hub cities along the Knox Trail about a week apart, as the traveling event makes its way to Boston. It will pass through 33 towns in the Commonwealth with connections to the trail, ending in Dorchester Heights on March 17, 2026, when Massachusetts declared independence.
It’s difficult to imagine the Berkshires in Knox’s day—hard winters that made travel difficult, rules by a controlling king, and neighbors willing to risk their lives for freedom. Or is it? American Revolution-related events happening in the Berkshires not only unwrap details about the Henry Knox Trail, but shed light on the similarities between our forefathers and today’s independent citizens who raise their voices against injustices.
In addition to Knox Trail celebrations, there are many ways to become aware of the Berkshire’s revolutionary history. Fourth of July parades up and down the county are designed to inspire and get us in the patriotic spirit. The Pittsfield Parade is worth the trip from anywhere with original floats and commanding music, and parade day in Williamstown includes a community barbeque and Frederick Douglass reading the Declaration of Independence. In July and August, Berkshire Museum’s American Revolution MoMU (Museum Mobile Unit) will be at Pittsfield’s Berkshire Athenaeum, an exhibit that includes General Knox’s embroidered vest, a replica of a colonial era beer flagon found on the grounds of the Museum, and maps of the Knox Trail. You may discover that you have been closer than you think to the actual path of General Knox! To walk the walk, join American Revolution reenactor Tim Abbott as he leads Revolutionary Pittsfield walking tours on July 12 and August 30; the tours start at the Athenaeum at 11 a.m.
To revisit history by a more traditional route, sign up for weekly classes with Berkshire OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Rev250 online programming. Courses include The American Revolution in the South: Where the War Was Won (July 7 to August 11) and The Pursuit of Happiness: Where Are We Now? (July 8 to August 12).
Our road to independence also has caught the attention of filmmakers. On August 14, the Otis Historical Society presents a video about the Knox Trail, which runs through Otis, by local playwright Jessica Provenz. The video, which includes drone footage of the trail, will be shown at the Monterey Library, after which Provenz and videographer Joshua Briggs will speak about the making of the film. Local historian Tom Ragusa, who leads walks on the Knox Trail in Otis, will recount stories from the trail.
We are fortunate in the Berkshires to be an hour’s drive from The Palace Theater in Albany, where clips of the landmark documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt will be shown on September 10, along with a discussion by the filmmakers. The 12-hour, six-part documentary will premiere on PBS starting on November 16. (See page 90 for an interview with Burns.)
To get closer to the down-and-dirty action of The Noble Trail of Artillery, be at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead in Pittsfield on September 27, when costumed educators, oxen, and a non-firing cannon from Fort Ticonderoga presents a faithful historical vignette of how Knox made the famous journey. More live action happens a week later on October 3–5 at Bidwell House and Museum in Monterey during their popular annual reenactment weekend. Take a front seat to the Battle of Bunker Hill, which occurred on June 17, 1775, setting the stage for the Revolutionary War.
To stay in the revolutionary spirit, visit the Stockbridge Library on January 24, 2026, for a day in the life of Colonial America, from being on the Knox Trail to cooking food to making crafts, and another chance to see American Revolution reenactors at work.
As extraordinary as the celebration on July 4, 2026, will be, the party doesn’t end there. Cultural institutions in the Berkshires are planning exhibits for next season to help us get to know not only artists but cultural leaders of the revolutionary era and their work. Tanglewood will perform music made 250 years ago. The 1777 Battles of Saratoga and Bennington, both day trips from the Berkshires, will be duly commemorated in 2027. The American Revolution lasted until 1783, so keep your party hat handy. We are in for some extraordinary events that will be hard to ignore.
To follow the trail of celebrations, go to these websites:
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