Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary Ornament — Made in America
Boston Tea Party 250th Anniversary Ornament — Made in America
Updated December 8: Only a very limited quantity of this ornament remains, and it will not be restocked.
We're offering it as part of a set with our George Washington "Santa" bag ornament. If you'd like to secure yours, we recommend placing your order now!
Also available, newest ornament, "One if by Land" 250th Anniversary ornament.
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Our original design, available exclusively from The History List, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773.
It is made of three pieces that can be hung together, in pairs, or individually: A clear star printed with "1773" and snowflakes, a solid piece showing a tea crate spilling tea, and a third piece, clear, showing waves with text taken from The Tea Act of 1773.
The star with snowflakes is the same size as in our first ornament, which celebrated Washington's successful attack on Trenton on Christmas Day Eve. We've included a photo of the crate from this year's ornament together with George Washington's "Santa" bag from the earlier ornament.
When hung together, the total height, from tree branch to the bottom of the wave, is 16". Individual pieces are 4" - 4½" high. The wave is 9" wide and the crate is 7½" wide at its widest point.
Made in America. Includes three hangers/connectors.
Also available, our Boston Tea Party 250th annivesary gift set which includes a tea towel, 10 pcs. gift tags, magnet, and a postcard.
View our entire Boston Tea Party collection, including shirts, prints, stickers, magnets and more.
Historic event behind the design
The Tea Act of 1773 gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in America.
On the evening of December 16th, 1773, Bostonians, following the lead of the Sons of Liberty and disguised as Narragansett or Mohawk Indians (sources disagree), boarded three ships and destroyed 342 chests of East India Company tea, which they dumped in the harbor.
The destruction of the tea was the final straw for Parliament and led to the Intolerable Acts of 1774. These closed the port of Boston, instituted a military government, quartered troops among the population, and allowed all British officials charged with a crime to stand trial in Great Britain instead of the Colonies.
Many years later George Hewes, a 31–year–old shoemaker and participant, recalled "We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard. And we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water."
Sources: National Archives, University of Houston
An excellent write up on the event from the National History Education Clearinghouse answers the question, "Why Was the Boston Tea Party Not Stopped by British Troops?" and provides a detailed description of exactly what happened.
Christopher Sherwood Davis gave a talk captured on video at History Camp Boston 2023 on, "The Boston Tea Party: Separating Myth from Reality after 250 Years."
Thanks to Christopher S. Davis who writes the blog TeaCrisis1773.blogspot.com for his help with this design. Your ornament will include a historical note from from Christopher.
Shipping
Shipping
Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season
For our regular merchandise. Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.-
December 13 at 2 pm Eastern: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS. While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. This date is more conservative than the date published by USPS. We want to be sure that everyone gets their gift in time.
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December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items (excluding Rare Finds) received by 2 pm Eastern Monday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery.
- December 23 at noon: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.
For
- If you purchase a Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase to see what the options are.
For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping)
Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.
For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95.
Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.
Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.
Timing
We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.
We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.
We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.
If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping.
If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."
Additional notes:
- When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
- If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
- If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.
Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses
- Free shipping
- On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.
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US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.)
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$5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.
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$8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
UPS 3 Business Day Select
Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.
- $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
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$18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
- If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
- UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
For shipments to addresses outside the United States
DestinationsWe only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.
Charges
- Canada and Mexico
- Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
- Rest of the World
- Rates starts at $65.00.
Additional charges for all destinations
Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge. If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.
If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.
All original designs are copyrighted by The History List
All original designs are copyrighted by The History List
All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.
Mission
Mission
Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.
The Boston Tea Party ornament looks great amidst our Christmas decorations but we're going to keep it on display throughout the year. I have a large book case with volumes pertaining to the Revolution in Boston. It hangs from the glass door knob on the bookcase with our Boston collection in the background . The thought behind the design is amazing...love the tea spilling out of the crate. This was a great purchase that is timeless.
Much larger than I thought. Great details.
Love the design. Picture implies it is small but it is 5 times bigger than I thought it’d be. Still featured prominently on my tree.
Thank you for your purchase and review, and happy to know that you found a place for it on your tree. In terms of the size, we felt like it needed to be big enough to really see the detail and included the dimensions in the description so folks knew exactly how large it was. — Lee Wright | Founder
I love this ornament. It is very unique. The different parts all connect together or you could hang them separately. It is quite large, so hang it on a strong branch.