Harwich To Dedicate Revolutionary War Memorial

HARWICH – Major events are planned on Saturday, Oct. 24 as the town celebrates this country’s 250 years of independence. There will be a new memorial dedicated in Evergreen Cemetery and a Living History Fair at the community center. 

 Saturday’s event is called “Patriots, Pride and Freedom — Harwich Remembers the Call of Liberty,” said Cemetery Administrator Robbin Kelley.

 “The day will honor the men and women of Harwich who answered the call for liberty during the American Revolution and celebrate the history, sacrifice and community spirit that have shaped our town and our nation,” she said.

The day-long celebration will begin with the dedication of a new memorial at the Walk of Remembrance in Evergreen Cemetery in East Harwich beginning at 10 a.m. The memorial honors more than 400 Harwich veterans of the American Revolutionary War and is part of the town’s ongoing Walk of Remembrance, a long-term project dedicated to preserving and honoring the military history of Harwich veterans, Kelley said.

The dedication will bring together members of the community, veterans, descendants, local organizations, historical groups, musicians, reenactors and town officials to recognize the sacrifices made by those who served more than 250 years ago, she said.

The America 250 celebration is part of the cemetery department’s larger commitment to preserving local history and honoring the veterans who served the community and country. The town will continue the work through additional memorial projects honoring Harwich veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, said Kelley.

At the conclusion of events at the Walk of Remembrance, a Live History Fair will take place starting at noon at the community center. Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time and experience colonial life through a number of experiences, according to Kelley. It will be a day of remembrance, education, music, history and community pride, she said.

Those experiences include Revolutionary War military encampments, colonial artisans and demonstrations, blacksmithing, colonial cooking, gravestone conservation demonstrations, children' s colonial games and activities, historical vendors and educational displays, a fife and drum Corps, Harwich Town Band, Monomoy Regional High School Choir and Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution representatives. 

The free event is designed to be educational and enjoyable for all ages, giving families an opportunity to learn about the people and events that shaped the birth of the nation, said Kelley.

“This project is about more than memorials,” she added. “It is about remembering the people who came before us, preserving their stories, and making sure future generations understand the sacrifices that made our freedom possible. We are honored to continue this work for the town of Harwich.”