Summer Plays — A Stake in the Ground: 1774

A Stake in the Ground: 1774

Staged at Historic Deerfield, A Stake in the Ground: 1774 is a series of three site-specific plays, set in Deerfield, MA, on the eve of the American Revolution.

TICKETS: $25 for adults | $20 for members | $15 college students | $15 for youth (17 and under)
For ticketing assistance, please email events@historic-deerfield.org.

Each performance includes all three plays and will end with a post-show conversation. Shows take place Fridays (6:30-8:30 p.m.), Saturdays (6:30-8:30 p.m.), and Sundays (2:30-4:30 p.m.), July 10-August 16.

In the summer of 1774, seeds of revolution begin to germinate in Deerfield when a Liberty Pole is brought to town. The characters in three new one-act plays explore the political divisions, tangled family relations, and the complexities of enslavement from all sides. Join this vibrant, immersive examination of the historical split that will define America.

Produced by Plays in Place, written by Talya Kingston, Valyn Lyric Turner, and Patrick Gabridge, and directed by Brianna Sloane, “A Stake In The Ground: 1774” will be performed outdoors at the locations near where the characters lived in the past, including outside the Ashley House, the Allen House, and the Stebbins House.

Join us for this vibrant and immersive exploration of the seeds of revolution!

Check out the Fabulous 413 interview with Plays in Place and Historic Deerfield!

Location, Logistics, and Weather

The production is performed outdoors (except for the weekend of July 31–August 2) at the locations near where the characters lived in 1774, including the Ashley House, the Allen House, and the Stebbins House. For outdoor shows, we recommend bringing a hat for sunny locations and a water bottle. There will also be a water station, bug spray and sunscreen available.

Weather Policy: Shows take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the production will move indoors to the Deerfield Community Center (16 Memorial Street, Deerfield, MA). In the event of inclement weather, productions will move indoors to the Deerfield Community Center (16 Memorial Street, Deerfield). Weather-related location changes will be communicated to ticket-holders by email 1-3 hours before showtime. Weather-related location changes will also be posted here.

Accessibility and Walking: Most performances (except for July 31–August 2 and in the event of inclement weather) are held outside. The audience will walk to each location along paved, municipally-owned sidewalks and will be seated on folding chairs on grassy surfaces. It is a 1/3 mile walk to the location of the first play. The audience will also walk to the locations of the second and third plays (each of those walks is approximately 5 minutes).

Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern for outdoor shows and in the lot by the Deerfield Community Center (16 Memorial Street, Deerfield, MA) for indoor shows.

Checking In: For outdoor shows, ticket holders will check in at the Hall Tavern Visitor Center. Check-in for July 31, August 1 and 2 shows will take place at the Deerfield Community Center. For Friday and Saturday evening shows, check-in is from 6–6:20 p.m. For Sunday afternoon shows, check-in is from 2–2:20 p.m.

Perks for Playgoers

Before the Show: Your ticket includes free admission to the Flynt Center of Early New England Life. Ticket-holders may visit the Flynt Center of Early New England Life until 5:30 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday night shows. Sunday ticket holders can visit prior to the show.

Dinner/Shopping: Champney’s Restaurant will open at 4 p.m. on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the shows. For pre-show dinner, a 4 p.m. reservation is recommended. Call 413-774-5587 to book your table. The Historic Deerfield Gift Shop and Bookstore will be open before shows. Playgoers get 15% off Romance, Remedies, and Revolution (the book that inspired A Stake in the Ground).

Free Dessert After the Plays: Playgoers get a complimentary dessert at Champney’s Restaurant after the show. Please arrive at Champney’s no later than 8:40 p.m. and show your playbill to get a free dessert.