In February 1775, six weeks before the battles of Lexington and Concord, British troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Leslie attempted to cross the North River and seize gunpowder and cannons from the Salem militia. After a tense standoff with a crowd of Salem townspeople at the bridge, Leslie and local authorities negotiated the British troops’ peaceful return to Boston. Today, the incident is known locally as “Leslie’s Retreat.” To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the retreat and the start of the American Revolution, Essex National Heritage Area is hosting a year of events and educational programs.

As a part of these Essex County Rev250 and Leslie’s Retreat 250 celebrations, PEM invites you to step back in time with “Fashion in the Season of Revolution,” a dynamic exploration of the intersection of style, society and conflict in the late 1700s. This engaging program, presented in cooperation with Leslie’s Retreat 250, offers a blend of scholarship, storytelling and immersive experience, combining a thought-provoking panel discussion with a vibrant Revolutionary reenactor promenade.

2:30–3:10 pm:

• Welcome from Petra Slinkard, Director of Curatorial Affairs and the Nancy B. Putnam Curator of Fashion and Textiles
• PEM Collection in Focus: Abigail Adams’ Petticoat with Paula Bradstreet Richter, Curator-at-Large

3:10–3:30 pm:

• Purchasing Patriotism: New England Shoe Stories During the Revolutionary Era with Kimberly Alexander, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

3:30-3:45 pm:

• Inspiration Up Close: A Personal Story of Reenactment Dress with Henry Rutkowski and Petra Slinkard

3:45-4 pm: Onstage Reenactor Promenade
Audience members are invited to view clothing up close and ask questions.