Sheep Grazing and Weaving During Making History Day on the Common

From Native American dancers to grazing sheep and weaving demonstrations, the Friends of the Public Garden will bring 5,000 years of Boston history to life at a special event on the Boston Common.

During Making History Day on June 6 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., children from all over Massachusetts will have the opportunity to look at a Fishweir, participate in Native American dancing and play games that youngsters in the 18th century would have played. 

“Making History Day is a special day to celebrate the importance and enduring story of the Boston Common to the state and indeed the nation,” said Elizabeth Vizza, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Garden. “With this event we hope to encourage young people, who will one day be the stewards of this and our other treasured green spaces, to be more aware of their city’s heritage."

There will be historic interpreters describing how the Boston Common was used during the colonial period and sheep grazing in the Common just like they used to do centuries ago. 

Children will also have the opportunity to be placed in stocks to see what punishment was like in colonial times and meet re-enactors from the Civil War. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company will also reenact its yearly drumhead election on Boston Common where its officers are chosen in a ceremony overseen by the organization’s Commander in Chief, the Governor of the Commonwealth. 

A parade will begin at Faneuil Hall and end on Boston Common at 1:30 p.m. with cannons firing at 2:30 p.m.