Leslie's Retreat: How Salem Was A Birthplace Of Revolution Resistance

SALEM, MA — Months before the shots heard around the world echoed out of Lexington and Concord, a significant tension point in the nearing Revolutionary War took place at Leslie's Retreat in Salem.

On Feb. 26, 1775, British Colonel Alexander Leslie brought troops to Salem to confiscate reported cannons. What he found was a community on edge. Militia members and local citizens blocked access over the North River Bridge preventing the soldiers from completing their search.

Though a peaceful agreement was reached, the standoff highlights the growing tensions that lead to the American Revolution.

Essex Heritage and its partners are inviting the public to learn about this historic event, which is part of ongoing efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution at an upcoming exhibit at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center.

This exhibit is a joint effort between the Essex National Heritage Area, Salem Maritime National
Historic Site, and Minute Man National Historical Park. The free exhibit will be on display from Feb. 21 to April 27, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An opening reception and lecture for the exhibit will be held Feb. 21 at 5 pm at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center. Salem Maritime National Historic Site curator Dr. Emily Murphy will present the free lecture at 6:30 p.m.

This exhibit is also part of a city-wide effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat.

More information about community events can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)