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An Immersive Outdoor Theater Experience at Historic Deerfield
Step into Deerfield in the summer of 1774, as revolution begins to take root.
Produced by Plays in Place, A Stake in the Ground: 1774 is a series of three original site-specific plays performed throughout Historic Deerfield. Set on the eve of the American Revolution, the production follows a community grappling with political division, tangled family loyalties, and the realities of enslavement as the arrival of a Liberty Pole sparks growing tensions throughout town. Discover what unfolded in Deerfield before it became Historic Deerfield!
Performed outdoors near the homes where these stories unfolded, audiences will travel through the historic village experiencing Deerfield’s past in the very places where history happened.
Written by Talya Kingston, Valyn Lyric Turner, and Patrick Gabridge, and directed by Brianna Sloane, this immersive production offers a vibrant and thought-provoking exploration of a town, and a country, on the brink of transformation.
Performance Information
Dates & Times
July 10–August 16
- Fridays | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- Sundays | 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices
- Adults: $25
- Members: $20
- College Students: $15
- Youth (17 & under): $15
Need assistance? Please email events@historic-deerfield.org.
Performance Locations & Accessibility
Performances take place outdoors near the Ashley House, Allen House, and Stebbins House at Historic Deerfield.
Audience members will walk between locations along paved sidewalks and will be seated on folding chairs placed on grassy surfaces. Most performances are held outdoors, with the exception of the weekend of July 31–August 2, where the performances will be taken place indoors at Deerfield Community Center (this location has accessibility for standard size wheelchairs).
Weather Policy
Performances take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, productions will move indoors to the Deerfield Community Center.
About Plays in Place
Plays in Place creates site-specific historical theater experiences that connect audiences to the landscapes, stories, and people of the past through immersive live performance.
Join us this summer for an unforgettable journey into revolutionary Deerfield and experience history where it happened.
Make an Afternoon or Evening of It!
The experience doesn’t stop when the performance ends… Guests are encouraged to turn their visit into a fuller Deerfield experience with dining, shopping, and overnight accommodations throughout the village.
Special Offers for Play Attendees
Show your playbill to enjoy:
- 15% off your stay at Deerfield Inn
- 15% off Romance, Remedies, and Revolution—the book that inspired A Stake in the Ground —at the Bookstore
- A complimentary dessert at Champney’s Restaurant after the performance
Special pre-show seating at Champney’s Restaurant will also be available before evening performances, featuring seasonal New England comfort foods inspired by the setting and season.
Plan Your Visit
Deerfield Inn
Complete your visit with an overnight stay at the Deerfield Inn. Guests attending the plays can take advantage of a special discounted room rate and enjoy a relaxing getaway surrounded by the beauty and history of Historic Deerfield. Arrive early for dinner, explore the village before the show, and unwind in the comfort of the Inn after an unforgettable evening of storytelling and theatre. It’s the perfect opportunity to turn a night at the theatre into a memorable New England escape.
Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern
Enhance your evening with dinner at Champney’s Restaurant at the Deerfield Inn. A 4 p.m. reservation is the perfect way to begin your visit, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy a seasonal meal before the performance. Theatre guests can also enjoy a complimentary dessert after the show, making your night at Historic Deerfield even sweeter.
Historic Deerfield Bookstore
Continue the experience beyond the stage with a special discount on Romance, Remedies, and Revolution—the book that inspired A Stake in the Ground—available at the Historic Deerfield Museum Shop. This book offers readers a deeper connection to the people and moments that brought the performance to life. Whether you were inspired by the storytelling, fascinated by the history, or simply want to relive the experience, this is the perfect way to take a piece of the performance home with you. Show your play program at the Museum Store to get 15% off your purchase of this captivating book!