The Old Colony History Museum is just trying to keep the spirit alive this year.

TAUNTON Since the pandemic hit, chances that the Liberty and Union Festival would happen the way it normally does on Oct. 16 and 17 were slim. Though it usually takes place outside, there are large crowds and presenters from all over and the Old Colony History Museum the main organizers of the decades-old festival decided such an event could not be made COVID-19 safe.

"It was really clear early on that it wasn't going to be able to happen because you want to encourage people to come, but it's the gathering of people that is dangerous at the moment," said Katie MacDonald, executive director of the museum.

But the museum was determined to do something to commemorate Oct. 21 a date that is especially important for the city of Taunton.

In 1774, in response to the Sons of Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, the Sons of Liberty in Taunton met on the Taunton Green. They sewed red cloth stitched with the words "liberty and union" in white around the Union Jack and raised it on a flagpole on the Green, creating the Liberty and Union flag we know today. They also signed a declaration in support of armed force against Great Britain.

"At the time, if you got caught, that would be treason," MacDonald said. "That is defying the king and defying the king's orders. So that was an early revolutionary spark."

It was such a notable event that it made it into the Boston newspapers, becoming the first act of rebellion recorded in the press. According to the museum, the flag is considered by many to be the first patriotic flag.

With such an important event to honor, the museum got creative.

MacDonald said the museum has been organizing more online activities in the past few months, doing virtual tours of the museum and Zoom lectures. So they decided to go digital, creating six activities and games online, as well as an informational page about why they celebrate the historic event with a festival.

"It's an iconic day in our calendar, and it was one of those things we just didn't want to give up on," MacDonald said.

The games and activities can be accessed on the museum's website under the "play" tab. There you will find instructions on how to make a tricorn hat, Liberty and Union coloring sheets, as well as several puzzles.

The museum is also partnering with Taunton Community Access and Media to put together a TV special which will show the museum's pictures of past Liberty and Union festivals, as well as photos sent in by community members. You can still submit photos by sending them to info@oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org. The special will premiere in late October.

Last but not least, with the help of the Taunton Cultural Council, the museum is partnering with local playwright and actor Stephen Sampson to create a production based on the life of Toby Gilmore a man born in Africa who was forced to work as a slave in Raynham, but fought in the American Revolution and was able to attain his freedom.

"This year is an interesting challenge, but hopefully it's in the spirit of what we try to do with the festival," MacDonald said. "...We'll have kept things going and bring it all back to life next year."

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Whats happening with Tauntons Liberty and Union Festival? Its moved to your screens - Taunton Daily Gazette