COllaborations (Mercy Otis Warren)

"Affectionate Friends and Humble Servants" is a constructed conversation between Martha Washington and Mercy Otis Warren. These dear friends only had the opportunity to meet in person twice, on two consecutive days in 1776, but maintained that friendship throughout the course of their lives. This conversation is a narrative that links Martha and Mercy’s actual correspondence, adding personality and emotions to their prose, bringing these important women to life, right in front of you.

Martha Washington was the quiet presence that supported George Washington in his roles as Commander of the Continental Army and as President of the United States. She assumed the mantle of public life in partnership with her husband and in service to her country by acting as the General’s Lady and later as the first First Lady. In each role, Mrs. Washington set the standards for leading the new United States of America, creating homes and headquarters and procedures for acting in each arena. Throughout the Revolution, she actually spent more than half the war with her husband, and with the Army, in each of their winter encampments.

Mercy Otis Warren was a poet, playwright, and social critic during the era of the American Revolution, a time when women were expected to remain silent about politics. In defiance of that norm, Mercy’s friendship with patriotic figures like John and Samuel Adams led her to become an outspoken commentator and historian of the Revolution and early republic. Her incredible quest for knowledge and debate, as well as her innate ability to create relationships with whomever could provide her with such knowledge and debate, made her a leader in revolutionary thought not only locally, but throughout history.

Join us for this woven tapestry of Martha and Mercy’s friendship. Following the presentation, Martha and Mercy will take questions for a few minutes before reverting back to their modern selves to answer further questions.

Testimonial from Lisa Krassner, Current Executive Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society (Former Edward W. Kane Executive Director of the Concord Museum) and Allison Shilling, Deputy Director and Director of Engagement of the Concord Museum

"Affectionate Friends and Humble Servants" was an unforgettable evening that brought history to life in an engaging and thought-provoking way. Sandy Spector and Michele Gabrielson delivered a masterful performance, seamlessly blending historical depth with compelling storytelling. Their portrayal of Martha Washington and Mercy Otis Warren offered unique insights into the personal and political struggles of the Revolutionary era, making the past feel immediate and deeply relevant. This program was truly a tour de force—meticulously researched, beautifully executed, and profoundly moving. Thank you for sharing this remarkable experience with our Concord Museum community!"

Testimonial from Dakota Lee Griffin and Niel DeMarino, Board Officers for the Brigade of the American Revolution

In March 2026, the Brigade of the American Revolution hosted Behind the Lines: Unsung Women of the American Revolution in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The conference sought to explore the lives and contributions of women whose efforts shaped the Revolutionary era, often beyond the battlefield and outside the traditional narratives of the war.

As an organization dedicated to connecting scholarship, public history, and living history, the Brigade strives to bring together historians, interpreters, and historical organizations to tell a more complete story of the American Revolution. One of the central goals of the conference was to highlight the intellectual, political, and social contributions of women whose voices helped shape the founding of the nation.

The conference opened with “Affectionate Friends & Humble Servants”, performed by Sandy Spector and Michele Gabrielson. The presentation was a remarkable way to begin the weekend. Through historical theater, attendees were transported into the friendship and correspondence between Martha Washington and Mercy Otis Warren, experiencing their relationship not simply as historical figures on a page, but as real people navigating the challenges of revolution, politics, family, and friendship.

The performance was informative, engaging, and deeply human. Audience members frequently commented on how the program brought the period to life in a way that traditional lectures alone cannot accomplish. By blending scholarship with theatrical interpretation, Affectionate Friends provided an immersive introduction to the themes that would define the conference.

The Brigade of the American Revolution is grateful for the participation of Sandy Spector and Michele Gabrielson. Their contributions helped make Behind the Lines a memorable and successful event and demonstrated the power of collaboration between scholars, interpreters, and public historians in bringing the stories of the American Revolution to new audiences.

Join General and Mrs. Washington (Glenn Siner and Sandy Spector) as they take their breakfast together in Spring of 1784. Listen in on their conversation about their lives thus far and what they anticipate for their lives at Mount Vernon, now that the War for Independence is behind them.

Enjoy this half hour scripted conversation between George and Martha, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A with the Washingtons. Informal visiting to follow.