Join us for a two-day event at the historic 1762 Akin House in Dartmouth, MA, where the past comes to life in vivid detail. “Never Idle Hands––Living in Early America,” hosted by the Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust (DHPT), invites the community to explore daily life and Revolutionary history through demonstrations, activities, and tours.
Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, June 28–29, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, this annual event transforms the Akin House grounds into an 18th-century rebel militia encampment. Visitors will experience authentic re-enactments of camp life during the Revolutionary War, including training drills and insights into the Akin family’s role in the region’s shift from Crown loyalty to the pursuit of American independence.
On Sunday, June 29, the event expands to include a variety of engaging activities for all ages. Attendees can witness cooking demonstrations, explore a recreated 18th-century coffee house, watch woodworking using period tools, and even try their hand at an archaeological dig. Discover artifacts found on-site, meet historical interpreters, and enjoy traditional children’s games. Be sure not to miss the chocolate-making demonstration, offering a sweet taste of colonial life.
Admission is free, and all are welcome. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with local history, meet Revolutionary-era re-enactors, and tour one of Dartmouth’s most treasured landmarks. Come see why the Akin House is known as “The Little House with a Big Story to Tell.”
