Battle of Fall River Reenactment Weekend

Presented by the Lafayette-Durfee Historical Foundation in partnership with The City of Fall River, Viva Fall River, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), the events will be hosted at DCR Fall River Heritage State Park. This event is made possible in part by funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, the Mass Cultural Council, the Fall River Cultural Council, and St. Anne’s Credit Union. The living history event will include several local military reenactment units, including the 54th Regiment of Foote and the 13th Continental Line. Both days will feature infantry drills, open-fire cooking demonstrations, blacksmithing, sailmaking, pottery, and more. The encampment will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m on both days. Please see below for the schedule and more information on attending the event.

The Battle of Fall River

As the battle raged, Durfee’s men skillfully withdrew across the Quequechan River, removing the bridge planks behind them and making a final stand that forced the British into retreat. Though the colonists suffered no casualties, the British burned local mills and homes before fleeing back to their ships. Today, this skirmish — a story of courage and resilience — is remembered as the Battle of Fall River, a testament to the spirit of those who fought to protect their community.

Join us as we commemorate this historic event with a weekend of reenactments, honoring the heroes who stood tall against overwhelming odds.

Everything You Need to Know About The Battle of Fall River Reenactment Weekend

PARKING

Free parking is available in the DCR Lot at 5 Water Street. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available at the Pearl Street Garage and at the First Bristol Corp. parking lot at 327 Central Street. Free shuttle transportation to and from DCR Heritage State Park will be provided from 10am to 4pm.

FREE SHUTTLE

Free shuttle transportation will be provided on a constant loop to and from the following parking lots:

• Pearl Street Garage — 1 Pearl Street
• First Bristol Corp. Parking Lot — 327 Central Street
• Fall River Depot — 825 Davol Street

A full loop will take approximately 20 minutes.

Market & Artisan Fair
Browse handcrafted goods from craftspeople and historical reenactors.

Revolutionary Programming

Special programming will take place inside the Capt. Thomas Hudner Memorial Bldg.

Demonstrations & Historical Groups

• Andy Volpe | Printmaker
• New England Lace Group | Lacemakers
• Battle of Rhode Island Association
• Daughters of the American Revolution

Exhibits and displays — Sat. & Sun. 10:00am–4:00pm

• Road to Revolution: The Boston Tea Party Exhibit
  The Boston Tea Party was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. It has inspired protests in societies around the world. This exhibit tells the backstory of one of the most iconic events in the nation’s history. On loan from the Commonwealth Museum. This exhibit is an MA250 event. For ages 8+.
• Echoes of the Pocassets & the Falling River
  Celebrate the rich history of the First People of Fall River and the Quequechan River in a trailways initiative created by the Fall River Arts and Cultural Coalition and the City of Fall River, in partnership with the Pocasset WampanoagTribe. Copies of these way finders are on exhibit at Heritage Park.
• Dioramas
  Created by the Lafayette Durfee Historical Foundation
  The Battle of Fall River May 25, 1778: Watch the reenactment. Study the battle diorama; and an 18th Century Pocasset
  Wampanoag Village along the Quequechan River.

Children’s crafts — Sat. & Sun. 10:00am–4:00pm

• Creation Station; Express Your Independence.
  Explore a variety of Revolution themed activities. The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution are here, as well as quizzes on the history of patriotic music. You think you l<now all the verses of the “Star Spangled Banner?” Is your Yankee Doodle Dandy? Have fun and discover history you never knew. For all ages.
• Trustees of Reservations Mobile Adventures

Theatre Program

Saturday

Pre-recorded lectures by historian Chris MacDonald will play continuously during opening hours.

• The Battle of Fall River and the Mount Hope Raids, May 28, 2017
• The Battle of Fall River, August 27, 2019

Sunday

Noon–1:00pm – Lecture: Daniel Page: Native American Revolutionary War Hero of the Pocassets
Eleanor Page, historian of the Pocasset, with introduction by James Lopes | Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation
Tribe of the Wampanoags will present the story of hometown hero Daniel Page who fought in the American Revolution. Page is celebrated in a monument on Indian Town Road, on the site of the original Pocasset Reservation. Page’s descendant is the
current chief of the Pocassets. Another of his descendants was Mary “Polly” Johnson the abolitionist who sheltered Frederick Douglass.

2pm–2:30pm – Colonial fashion show

3pm–4:00pm – Closing ceremony & quilt raffle

PARTICIPANTS

PERFORMERS

Colonial Forces

• 2nd Rhode Island Regiment | Captain Tew’s Company
• 13th Continental Regiment | Rehoboth Minutemen Company
• Dartmouth Militia and Living History Group
• The Colonial Navy of Massachusetts Fife and Drum Band
• The Kingston Reds (Rhode Island)
• Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies
• Ye Olde Lebanon Towne Militia (Lebanon CT)

British Forces

• 9th Regiment of Foote
• 54th Regiment of Foote
• Royal Marines

Colonial People

• Ladies of the Greene | Colonial Women Settlers
• Michele Boisonette | Laundress
• Ryan Daniels | School Teacher
• Sandy Spector| Martha Washington

ARTISANS

• Andy Volpe | Visual artist and printmaker
• At the Sign of the Golden Scissors | Handmade Historical Clothing
• Big Bear Trading Co. | Historical clothing and accessories
• Colonial Classroom 1775 | Colonial historians
• Frank Rodrigues | Sailmaker
• John Garcia | Tinsmith
• New England Lace Group | Lacemakers
• Rock Village Forge | Traditional blacksmith
• The Pewter Pot | 18th-century chocolatier*
• Wedges of Time | Wool processing demonstration
• Ye Olde Lebanon Towne Militia | Colonial Cooking

*Saturday 5/31 only

CONCESSIONS

Food and beverage will be available for purchase in the Food Truck area (6). Each day will feature the following vendors:

Saturday, May 31, 2025

• Blount Seafood
• Kona Ice
• Tacofied
• Turner Brothers

Sunday, June 1, 2025

• Kona Ice
• No Joke Smoke BBQ
• Pop’s Mobile Brick Oven Pizza
• Tacofied

QUILT RAFFLE TO SUPPORT THE LAFAYETTE DURFEE HOUSE

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Experience Fall River’s Colonial History at the Lafayette-Durfee House

Experience Fall River’s colonial history hands-on at the Lafayette-Durfee House, a preserved colonial home built circa 1750 in the historic Lower Highlands district of Fall River. Its original owner, Col. Joseph Durfee, was often visited there by Marquis de Lafayette, who served with him under then-General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Joseph Durfee went on to lead Fall River’s volunteer militia through several significant Revolutionary War battles, including the Battle of Fall River in 1778, After the war, Durfee went on to construct Fall River’s first cotton mill, setting the City up for the booming, world-renowned textile manufacturing industry that proliferated throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The Lafayette-Durfee House is maintained by the Lafayette Durfee Historic Foundation. It is the only preserved colonial home open to the public in Fall River and offers guided tours showcasing genuine colonial clothing, furniture, housewares, tools, and weapons as well as interactive demonstrations featuring period-accurate food, games, and activities. The House perfectly encapsulates Fall River’s lesser-known yet incredibly significant ties to the American Revolution.

Admission is Free with a suggested donation of $3.00 for adults. Children under 12 are ALWAYS free. Learn more at www.lafayettedurfeehouse.org.