Before the Declaration could inspire a nation, it had to be printed. This talk examines the crucial work of Boston printers John Gill and Ezekiel Russell, who set the type and printed broadside editions that carried the message of independence to the people of Massachusetts. Learn how the Common Press operated, how type was set by hand, and how speed and accuracy mattered in a moment of revolution. This program brings to life the physical craft behind one of history’s most powerful documents.
Gary Gregory is the founder of The Printing Office of Edes & Gill, specializing in the role of print culture in Revolutionary-era Boston. His talks explore how printers such as Benjamin Edes and John Gill produced newspapers and broadsides that helped spread the ideas of liberty and independence in the years leading up to and during the American Revolution.
Focusing on the people, stories, and impact behind the printed word, Gary examines how information moved through colonial communities and shaped public opinion. His engaging presentations for library and museum audiences highlight the powerful connection between print, politics, and the birth of a nation, bringing the Revolutionary era to life through the lens of those who put ink to paper.
We extend our gratitude to Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation for their generous support of the Westford Museum’s Westford Rev 250
program series, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.