Paul Revere statue at Dallin. / photo illustration courtesy Susan GilbertThe Cyrus Dallin Art Museum joined in on the Arlington 250 celebrations with a poetry reading event at Whittemore Park at 10 a.m., Monday, April 21.
This is a free and family-friendly event that seeks to honor the Battle of Menotomy and the start of the Revolutionary War. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to sit on the park lawn and listen to readings of the Paul Revere-themed poems — one authored by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the other by Cyrus Dallin himself.
After the readings, guests can learn about the story of Dallin’s 57-year battle to complete his famous monument of Paul Revere in Boston’s North End. A small-scale cast of this statue is in the museum’s east garden, and a rare prototype lives within the museum.
A museum open house is to follow the event and be open until noon. Read more details about the museum’s schedule that morning and afternoon below:
CYRUS DALLIN MUSEUM ARLINGTON 250:
10 to 10:45 a.m. Presentations in the park:
- Welcome Statement—Geri Tremblay, president, Dallin Museum Board of Directors;
- Historical Context—Michael Ruderman, Arlington Town Meeting member;
- Who Was Paul Revere?—Rod Holland, Arlington Town Meeting member;
- Reading of Paul Revere’s Ride—Michael Ruderman, Arlington Town Meeting member;
- Battle of Menotomy—Robert Brazile, Arlington Historical Society president;
- Story of Dallin’s Revere Sculpture—Mark DeCew, Dallin Museum trustee;
- Dallin’s Corollary to Longfellow’s Poem—Rod Holland, Arlington Town Meeting
member; and - Closing Statement—Sarah Burks, Dallin Museum Board of Trustees. chairperson.
10:45 a.m. ‒ noon Museum open house
Dallin Art Museum, 611 Mass. Ave.
The museum celebrates and educates about famed artist and former Arlington resident Cyrus Dallin.
The Cyrus Dallin Art Museum contains nearly 100 works, including approximately 50 sculptures, 10 paintings and several coins and medals. The museum’s mission is to promote new insights into history by exploring the life, work and values of this celebrated sculptor, educator and Indigenous rights advocate. The museum has a newly redesigned front entryway and Indigenous People’s Gallery.
It’s open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., and by appointment.
For more information about Dallin’s work and to learn about other museum events, visit the museum website.
This news announcement was published Monday, April 14, 2025, based on information from Susan Gilbert, who provides publicity for the Dallin Art Museum.
