Join the Friends of the Dartmouth Libraries on Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. to mark the 250^th anniversary of the start of Revolutionary War.  Local historian and journalist Bob Barboza will bring audience members back to 1775 in Old Dartmouth, which then included Westport, Acushnet, Fairhaven, and New Bedford.  Learn about life in the town, the important role that it played in the Revolution, and the war’s impact on its citizens and local economy.  The presentation will be held at the Dartmouth North Branch Library.

Dartmouth was a key part of the military landscape as its waterfront villages were among the few commercial ports in the region not occupied or blockaded by the British.  Its numerous shipyards, sail lofts, warehouses and other support facilities were often visited by American privateer vessels, Continental Navy ships, and government-sanctioned blockade runners during the War for Independence.  Dartmouth was also a highly divided community: Tories were loyal to the British crown; Patriots wanted to fight for independence; and Quakers, regardless of allegiance, were strongly anti-war.

Mr. Barboza is the former editor of Dartmouth’s weekly newspaper, The Chronicle, and a correspondent for many South Coast newspapers over the years.  He has been a student of local history for many decades and has authored dozens of articles on local history during his long journalism career.  Dozens of these old history articles from the past 20 years are being gathered and edited for publication in his next book, scheduled to come out this year to help celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.  A former editor of The Antiquarian, a magazine published by the Middleborough Historical Society, he currently serves on the board of directors for the Dartmouth Historical & Arts Society.

Mr. Barboza’s presentation is free and open to the public and will be held at the Dartmouth North Branch Library, 211 Cross Road, Dartmouth.  For more information, please e-mail fodl.libraries@gmail.com.