New Milford brings Boston Tea Party to life with re-enactment

The Noble made its maiden voyage Saturday in New Milford, arriving mid-day in Village Green Harbor with its cargo – chests of East India Company tea from London – ready to be unloaded and sold to the masses.

But shortly after its arrival, a crowd of spectators gathered and became part of New Milford’s history as they keenly listened to the Rev. Simeon Howard, a local minister preach a definition of liberty.

Shortly after, New Milfordites joined voices in expressing their opposition to the taxes in the Townshend Act as a violation of their rights.

It wasn’t long before residents boarded the Noble and threw all the chests of tea overboard into the Village Green Harbor.

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A re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party was held Dec. 16 – the 250th anniversary of the historic event in U.S. history – took place on the Village Green.

The event was co-sponsored by the Town of New Milford’s New Milford Celebrates America 250! Committee and the Roger Sherman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

A mock trade ship named Noble, constructed by volunteers, was the centerpiece for the re-enactment that afforded attendees an opportunity to toss tea chests overboard.

In addition, an abbreviated reading of the 1773 sermon by the Rev. Simeon Howard was read and volunteers narrated and portrayed the actions of the Sons of Liberty on Dec. 16, 1773. 

Commemorative tea was also sold.

The event is one of many that will be presented in the community as part of a multi-year celebration that culminates in America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Deborah Rose/The boat was aptly named "Noble" in honor of the Noble family that settled New Milford.

Deborah Rose/Commemorative tea boxes with tea and kids' goodies and games were among the unique items sold as part of the re-enactment fundraiser.

Deborah Rose/A basket full of tea bags with commemorative labels, marking the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

Deborah Rose/Educational boards outlining the events that led up to the Boston Tea Party were part of the display.

Deborah Rose/Boxes stamped with the insignia of the East India Company, the tea company whose tea was dumped overboard during the Boston Tea Party, were on hand for attendees to toss overboard in New Milford.

Deborah Rose/Burlapped "chests" proudly displayed on the mock boat that was displayed on the northern end of the Village Green.

Deborah Rose/Roger Sherman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution members, from left to right, Julie Tracey, Jackie Gardner (also secretary of the New Milford Celebrates America 250! Committee), and Jennie Rehnberg don costumes of the late 1700s for the re-enactment.

Deborah Rose/Actor Rich Cutting prepares to portray the Rev. Simeon Howard, a Boston minister who outlined a definition of liberty to a company of artillery soldiers in 1773 just before open hostilities broke out between the colonists and the British government, for the re-enactment.

Deborah Rose/Volunteers, from left to right, Michaela Spring, Michaela's father, William Spring, Michael Bird, president of the Oliver Wolcott Branch #10 of the CT State Society Sons of the American Revolution and first vice president of the CTSSAR, and David Perkins Sr., president of the Ebenezer Baldwin Branch #9 of the CTSSAR and state secretary of the CTSSAR, ready themselves for the re-enactment. 

Deborah Rose/A crowd of nearly 200 gathered on the Green to mark the historical event's anniversary.

Deborah Rose/Residents and visitors eagerly wait for the start of the re-enactment.

Deborah Rose/A group of children ready to re-enact the dumping of tea chests overboard.

Deborah Rose/From left, Rich Cutting, New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, President of the Oliver Wolcott Branch #10 of the CT State Society Sons of the American Revolution and First Vice President of the CTSSAR Michael Bird, and Michaela Spring, demonstrate the actions of the Sons of Liberty on Dec. 16, 1773.

Deborah Rose/Participants, from left to right, David Perkins Sr., president of the Ebenezer Baldwin Branch #9 of the CT State Society Sons of the American Revolution, Pat Perkins, Rich Cutting, Michael Bird, president of the Oliver Wolcott Branch #10 of the CTSSAR and first vice president of the CTSSAR, William Spring and Michaela Spring, prepare to toss tea overboard.

Deborah Rose/A crowd of re-enactors toss tea overboard.

Deborah Rose/Members of the Roger Sherman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, from left to right, in front, Jackie Gardner, Christine Messer, Jennie Rehnberg, Bonnie Butler, Patricia Pavlick, Julie Tracey, Mary Schenzer, Regent Heidi Norcross, and Lynn Priest, and in back, Stephanie Rehnberg and Stephenie Freed, gather aboard the "Noble."

Deborah Rose/Members of the Roger Sherman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are shown aboard the "Noble."

Deborah Rose/Bonnie Butler, a member of the local chapter of DAR, serves up hot cocoa donated by Rich's Wings & Things.

Deborah Rose/ John Toromanides of the New Milford Police Department was on hand for the event and talked with Michael Bird, second vice president of the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution, after the re-enactment.

Deborah Rose/Jennie Rehnberg, left, and Regent Heidi Norcross, are members of the Roger Sherman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.