250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party: Reliving a Historic Moment
Deep in the covers of night, they slipped aboard a vessel resting in Boston Harbour. Their mission: to hurl 342 crates of Chinese-imported tea into the water. This audacious move left an indelible mark on future US President John Adams.
"This brazen destruction of tea is so bold, so daring, so resolved, so fearless and inflexible, that it must have such significant consequences and such lasting impact that I must consider it as an era in history," he noted in his diary.
Adams' prediction proved spot on, and tonight, we'll be marking the 250th anniversary of this pivotal event. This is the city's plan:
What to Expect from the Boston Tea Party Revival
The live reenactment of historical events commences at 4 PM. According to a representative from the "December 16, 1773" organization, they are the event's hosts on December 16th, within the historic Faneuil Hall. The tickets for the gallery viewing have sold out, but people can gather outside to witness the spectacle within.
At 8 PM, a city representative will deliver an address at the intersection of the Inner City (Readers Park, located at Milk Street and Washington Street), near the renowned Old South Meeting House (also sold out).
At 9:30 PM, a "Rolling Rally," led by a marching band and drum corp, will proceed towards the Harborwalk. This event is free and open to the public.
At 10 PM, the reenactors board two replica ships and prepare to toss fictional tea overboard. A representative from the organization stated on December 16th, "Additionally to the 250 pounds from the London East India Company, whose tea was procured, more than 2,000 loose tea donations from all 50 states and the entire world were tossed overboard back in 1773."
Tribunes lining the Harborwalk, following the principle "first come, first served," await eager spectators who can watch the tea-ditching process unfold. A few reenactments may even be live-streamed.
Is this teapile safe for the harbour and its inhabitants?
"We have always aimed to minimize the impact of Fort Point Channel on the environment," said the team organizing the 250th anniversary and the reenactment in an interview with CNN Travel. "The tea itself is a biologically decomposable plant, as it consists only of dried leaves. All other materials were sourced from the harbour. The crate itself was retrieved from the water, leaving nothing else in its wake."
"Furthermore, while we have seen significant participation in the tea donation program, the amount of tea we have released pales in comparison to the original release of tea in 1773. The Sons of Liberty released over 92,000 pounds of tea. We will not be approaching that number."
Tea Blends and Delights at the Party
During the Boston Tea Party on December 16th, five distinct tea blends were hurled into the water, as noted by the organization. These blends are still available to taste and purchase, should you prefer tea to tea bags.
These can be found at the Abigail's Tea Room in the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and include:
• Bohea: One of the earliest tea imports by the East India Company in the 18th century. • Gongfu-Tee: A renowned black tea from American colonies. • Hyson: A green spring tea, which was a favorite of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. • Shan Cha: A term encompassing various varieties of Chinese green tea, which are harvested during the spring. • Souchong: A black tea originating from the Fujian province in China, known for its smoky aroma.
The museum also houses the Robinson Tea Chest, "the only known surviving Tea Chest from the Boston Tea Party," as well as a small vial of tea reportedly belonging to the Boston Old North Foundation, potentially related to the tea party.
Sources:
[1] For the most current and detailed information, please visit the museum's website or contact them directly.
