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250 years ago this Dec. 16, a group of American Patriots, fed up with being exploited by the British Monarchy, participated in an act of rebellion that would eventually culminate in the Revolutionary War.

This Dec. 16 in Willimantic, a modern group of patriots gathered to reenact the Boston Tea Party.

On this very day 250 years ago, men, and one woman, were finishing up their chores before heading to the Old South Meetinghouse, said Bev York, representing the America Museum, which sponsored the event.

The Loyal Nine, a Patriot political organization shrouded in secrecy, was formed in 1765 by nine citizens of Boston to protest the passing of the Stamp Act. The Loyal Nine evolved into the larger group The Sons of Liberty, the group given credit for the Boston Tea Party.

York went on to describe the origins of the event, which arose from dissatisfaction with the Tea Act of May 10, 1773, which allowed the British East India Company to sell tea from China in American colonies without paying taxes, apart from those imposed by the Townshend Acts. The act gave the East India Company, which York identified as the largest company in existence at the time, an unfair advantage over Colonial merchants.

In response, The Sons of Liberty, some disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of tea, valued at well over a million dollars today, according to York, into Boston Harbor.

There were similar events in New York City and Philadelphia. In Boston, colonists were punished by the closing down of Boston Harbor and the addition of more soldiers for protection.

The surrounding communities did now grow enough food to feed Boston, said York, noting that residents of Windham actually walked more than 200 sheep to Boston to help feed the city.

The Intolerable Acts, in addition to closing Boston Harbor, included the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Quartering Act. The dissatisfaction and anger felt by colonists continued to fester until Lexington and Concord became the fist actual battle of the Revolutionary War.

Many of the folks who participated in the Tea Party would go on to fight and die in the Revolutionary War, said York.

With calls of Boston Harbor a teapot tonight, and No taxation without representation, the modern-day patriots threw their crates of tea, into the Willimantic River.

Participants in the event had different reasons for attending.

Somers resident Ryan Elgin said that he received a direct email from Bev York, whom he met at a museum opening earlier this year. He said he attended because he has a special interest in museums and history in general.

Im a good friend of Bev and Duke (York), said Bob Hackemack, who had been assigned the role Henry Prentiss, a Boston merchant.

According to York, there were between 60 and several hundred people who attended the original Boston Tea Party, and only some of the names of participants are known to this day.

Francis Akeley, for example, is known to be the only person imprisoned for the act of treason. Akeley eventually died in the war.

Sarah Bradlee is the only woman known to have attended, and reportedly came up with the idea of the patriots disguising themselves as Natives.

The America Museum is located at 47 Crescent St. in Willimantic. The museum seeks to have visitors reflect upon and understand the events, struggles and sacrifices for freedom, equality, and democracy, according to its website.

Americans must acknowledge and honor the brave, relish our victories, study the failures, help heal the scars, and ensure that we learn from the past, continues the description.

See the museums website, at americamuseum.org, for information about exhibits and upcoming events.

Dennis Gagnon holds a "torch" as he participates in a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, held in Willimantic's Heritage Park on Dec. 16, the 250th anniversary of the original tea party. (Melanie Savage)

Bev York speaks to a crowd gathered in Heritage Park to reenact the Boston Tea Party. The event, sponsored by the America Museum, was held on Dec. 16, the 250th anniversary of the original tea party. (Melanie Savage)

Bev York oversees a sign-in table at a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16. (Melanie Savage)

A "crate of tea" sits by the shore of the Willimantic River. (Melanie Savage)

David Stoloff hurls a crate of "tea" into the Willimantic River. (Melanie Savage)

Anita Sebastyen dressed appropriately for the event. (Melanie Savage)

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America Museum sponsors reenactment of the Boston Tea Party - Hartford Courant