The Battle of Gloucester Reenactment Committee held a press conference on Monday, Nov. 17, to announce the Battle of Gloucester reenactments, coming to life by land and sea at Stage Fort Park in June 2026. (Photo Courtesy Battle of Gloucester Reenactment Committee)
GLOUCESTER — History will once again come alive on the shores of Gloucester next summer, as the organizers who hosted the successful Battle of Bunker Hill 250 reenactment come together to commemorate the lesser-known Battle of Gloucester, an early naval skirmish during the Revolutionary War that led directly to the creation of the U.S. Navy.
The commemorative events, including battle reenactments by land and sea and historical interpretations of life in 18th-century Gloucester, will be held on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Stage Fort Park.
As our country celebrates America250 in 2026, this reenactment will be one of the premier events in Massachusetts honoring the birth of the U.S. Navy.
A group of event organizers gathered on Cressy Beach at Stage Fort Park on Monday, Nov. 17, for a press conference to announce the details of the event.
Speakers included Revolution250 Executive Director Jonathan Lane, City of Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga, Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester), Essex National Heritage Area CEO Annie Harris, Reenactor and Veteran of the U.S. Navy Bill Rose, and Battle of Gloucester Committee Ships Coordinator Michael DeKoster.
Also in attendance were representatives from each of the host reenactment groups: Stephen D. Cole, Captain Commanding, Lexington Minute Men, Colonel Paul O’Shaugnessy of His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot, and Ruth Hodges, director of the Ladies Association of Revolutionary America, and Janet Foster Marshall, Member of the Gloucester Daughters of the American Revolution and descendant of Captain Joseph Foster, an American commander in the Battle of Gloucester.
“It’s such an exciting time to once again have Gloucester serve as the backdrop for the reenactment of the Battle of Gloucester…” said Mayor Verga. “Today, we still have many descendants of people who participated in the battle, so Stage Fort Park is not just a scenic place; it’s now the place for battles.”
The Battle of Gloucester Reenactment Committee has launched a website, www.battleofgloucester.com, to serve as the hub of all information and news on the events. A complete schedule and further information will be shared on the site at a later date.
Be sure to follow our Battle of Gloucester social media pages for the latest news:
The Battle of Gloucester was a failed British naval raid led by Captain John Linzee of HMS Falcon aimed at disrupting American supply routes in coastal Massachusetts. As the battle made its way to Gloucester Harbor, American militia along the coast launched a swift attack and were able to capture the British landing parties while taking 35 prisoners and recovering several who had been taken prisoner earlier.
The spirit of the colonial militiamen against the most powerful navy of the day instilled confidence in the colonials that they could go toe-to-toe against the British Royal Navy and win. The improved confidence of the militia in this skirmish sparked the eventual creation and birth of the U.S. Navy.
“This past June, we welcomed thousands of visitors, reenactors and historians from around the world as the pivotal Battle of Bunker Hill came to life in Gloucester through the tireless efforts of an incredibly talented and dedicated team,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “On those days, we were reminded in dramatic fashion of the unity and dedication of patriots who came together from throughout New England to confront the might of the British army.
“Now, with the memories of that epic re-enactment fresh in our minds, we are launching an ambitious effort to tell the story of a different chapter in the history of the revolution – one that takes us to a day when minutemen in Gloucester answered the call to action presented by a British ship of war threatening colonial ships, commerce and lives,” Senator Tarr said. “On that day, they alone confronted the threat, symbolizing the resolute commitment to independence that came to be one of the most important virtues of all who were united in the fight that gave birth to our nation.”
A group of over 500 reenactors will gather to bring the story of the Battle of Gloucester to life, portraying British and American soldiers and Gloucester townspeople.
One of those soldiers will be Captain-turned-Colonel Joseph Foster, who led the troops on Pavilion Beach during the Battle of Gloucester.
“It’s really exciting to have this event happen,” said Janet Foster Marshall, fifth-great-granddaughter of Captain Foster. “There have been some smaller reenactments of this battle in the past, but this one is going to be so much bigger and so much better. It’s going to be great.”
Battle reenactments will occur in two phases, by sea and by land, painting a complete picture of the battle. Between the battles, the area surrounding the battlefields will be transformed into 18th-century Massachusetts, featuring historical interpreters of life in an 18th-century port town; colonial-style vendors; a realistic military-style encampment where reenactors will cook, sleep and eat throughout the weekend; and important historical speakers whom visitors can speak to and learn about life during the Revolution. Several ships and schooners will be anchored in the Harbor and will be used in the maritime reenactments.
“This isn’t just a story of a military skirmish, it’s a story of farmers turned defenders, fishermen turned fighters, and townspeople united by a fierce and resilient love of liberty,” Lane said. “Gloucester’s waterfront was not just the backdrop, it was the battlefield. One where revolutionary spirit took early and assertive shape.”
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