Mark the date: May 24, The Battle of Chelsea Creek Celebration set

250^th Anniversary of the Revolutionary ‘Battle of Chelsea Creek and Noddle’s Island’ to be celebrated May 24 at East Boston’s Urban Wild

Battle Reenactments, petting zoo and pony rides, historical walks of Eagle Hill, boat tours, crafts, and fife-and-drum band to be featured at free community event

The British are coming … and the Colonists too!

The public is invited to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution and East Boston’s unique place in history.

The East Boston Museum and Historical Society and its partners will mark the 250^th anniversary of the “Battle of Chelsea Creek and Noddle’s Island” – the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War – with a celebration on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Urban Wild open space off Condor Street, across from American Legion Field (the City Yards playground).

The historical celebration includes battle reenactments between British and Colonial soldiers at 11 a.m. and again at 3 p.m., a petting zoo and pony rides for children from 12 noon to 3 p.m., guided history tours of Eagle Hill at 12 noon and 2 p.m., narrated boat tours of Chelsea Creek highlighting historical landmarks at 12 noon and 2 p.m., and a fife-and-drum band, games, colonial-era crafts, history exhibits and food offered throughout the day. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“The East Boston Museum and Historical Society is proud to participate in Revolution 250 by commemorating the ‘Battle of Chelsea Creek and Noddle’s Island,’ the first naval battle of the American Revolution,” said East Boston Museum and Historical Society President Debra Cave. “Please join us on May 24 at the East Boston Urban Wild to learn about this important event in our nation’s pursuit of independence. Join us for battle reenactments, narrated boat tours on Chelsea Creek, narrated walking tours of Eagle Hill, and various period craft demonstrations. We look forward to sharing this fascinating and little known event with you.”

The “Battle of Chelsea Creek and Noddle’s Island” occurred on May 27 and 28, 1775. It was the first naval battle of the American Revolution and yet few people know about it. Unlike the “shot heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord, which is celebrated every Patriots Day in April, and the brave stand of Patriot forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill, commemorated every June, the Battle of Chelsea Creek (also known as the Battle of Noddle’s Island) is mostly lost to history.

The celebration spotlights East Boston’s pivotal role in the history of the American Revolution and celebrates this historic first naval battle of the Revolution. It was a coordinated effort by Colonial militia from across New England. The battle took place in what is now East Boston, and was the first time that the Colonists used artillery in the Revolution. It was the first time a British ship, the HMS Diana, was captured.

The Battle of Chelsea Creek and Noddle’s Island celebration is presented by the East Boston Museum and Historical Society, the City of Boston, Boston250, Revolution 250, the East Boston Foundation, and Save the Harbor, Save the Bay.

For more information about the East Boston Museum and Historical Society, click here for the Society’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EastBostonMuseum.

The East Boston Museum and Historical Society’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich and diverse history of East Boston for current and future generations.