Meet LexSeeHer at the monument on August 23

Anna's 1769 Spinning Tableau

* Spin-In * Demonstrations * Knit-In *

August 23, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Lexington Women's Monument

Corner of Mass. Ave. & Meriam Street

Beside Buckman Tavern & Visitors Center

* Activities * Vendors * Talks * Tours *

August 31, 1769: 45 women gathered at Anna Harrington's home, using spinning wheels in an act of public protest just steps from the Town Commons

Kamala Raj and son Yashas at Groundbreaking DSC_5610.jpg

As we remember the 250th Anniversary of the Battle, LexSeeHer invites you to join the 2025 Spinning Tableau. LexSeeHer hosts this annual re-enactment to remember the bold Lexington "Ladies" who took action leading up to the American Revolution. At age 29, Anna Harrington believed that "Something Must Be Done" to protest unjust taxation.

The 2025 event takes place at the "Something Is Being Done" monument. Meredith Bergmann's sculpture includes a portrayal of Anna Harrington at the 1769 protest.

The monument's plaza is in the shape of a spinning wheel, a spinning wheel tops the monument, and visitors can hold hands with Anna at her wheel.

We Remember the #LexingtonLadies

The 250th is the perfect time to take a deeper look at the vibrant Lexington community and learn about the 1769 Spinning Tableau, an event that helped set the stage for the events of 1775.

At the annual Spinning Tableau you can enjoy live demonstrations of traditional spinning, knitting, hat trimming, and sewing. A celebration of current women's artistry, and traditional crafts referred to as "women's work".

This event is appropriate for all ages.

Visit the morning activities fair and stay for the 2:00 p.m. tableau.

To join as a volunteer for 2025, email lexmonument@gmail.com. Volunteers for the tableau must commit to arriving by 1:00 p.m. for a tableau staged from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. All are welcome, and outfits are loaned to volunteers on a first come, first served basis - with priority given to those who register in advance. There are 45 spots for volunteer spinners!

The 2024 Spinning Tableau was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Lexington Council for the Arts.

"Spinning Tableau" Scene from the 2023 Spinning Protest Anniversary event where 45 volunteers stepped into "her shoes" - literally, women's 18th century styled hats and aprons - to recreate the 1769 scene at Anna Harrington's historic protest.

Check out our exciting vendors at the 2024 event!

Bosworth Spindles

Subito Farm Designs

Toil & Trouble Yarns

Event HERstory

The 2023 Spinning Tableau was held in pairing with the official Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Something Is Being Done monument. Partners included the Lexington Historical Society, LexArt, and Lexington Girl Scouts. More than 45 volunteers participated. LexArt volunteers brought out different spinning wheels and welcomed visitors to try their hand at the wheel.

For the 2022 Spinning Tableau, LexSeeHer received a generous grant from the Community Endowment of Lexington to expand our Living HERstory program. The LexSeeHer Sewing Team created 45 linen aprons, as well as 45 appropriately trimmed 18th century style straw hats. The 2022 event was held at Anna homestead, thanks to Rev. Anne Mason and First Parish Church.

In 2021 volunteers recreated the scene at Anna Harrington's original homestead, thanks to Rev. Anne Mason and First Parish Church. (See image below.) Lexington Historical Society partnered as well,

Lexington Historical Society was the first to commemorate Anna's Spinning protest for the 250th anniversary in 2019. Sarah McDonough continues to portray Anna Harrington!