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A WBZ-TV crew spent Nov. 25 filming promotional segments across Marblehead as part of the station’s months-long campaign commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Evan Berenson, an executive producer for lat WBZ, led production at 10 historic sites including Abbot Hall, the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, St. Michael’s Church, Old Burial Hill and Fort Sewall. The day-long shoot featured local historians and Marblehead 250 Committee members presenting stories about the town’s Revolutionary War significance.
Berenson said the segments will air as part of what the station is calling its MA250 campaign, with towns including Lexington, Concord and Sudbury also featured.
“I love filming around here because I grew up here, and I want to shine a spotlight on this place,” said Berenson, who grew up in Swampscott and attended school in Marblehead.
The filming schedule began at 9:30 a.m. at Abbot Hall, where Kira Kay discussed the iconic “Spirit of ’76” painting. Town Historian Don Doliber followed with segments on Hannah and the Navy, while Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack led tours of the Lee Mansion and explained history of the slave kitchen.
After a lunch break, the crew moved to Old Burial Hill, where Pam Peterson, chair of the Marblehead Historical Commission, spoke at General John Glover’s tomb. Peterson also presented at the grave of Agnis, a Black enslaved person buried in a family plot.
At Fort Sewall, Larry Sands, described in the schedule as captain of Glover’s regiment, discussed the fort’s history overlooking Marblehead Harboy. Members of Glover’s Regiment reenactors appeared in colonial dress to discuss battles. The day concluded at 3 p.m. at King Hooper Mansion with local historian Judy Anderson.
Berenson said in an interview that each edited segment will run approximately 30 seconds and will air from January through July 4. He said the series focuses on places that highlight Marblehead’s maritime involvement during the Revolutionary War period.
“There’s so much history in general around here that I think to not tell the story of Marblehead would be not fully telling the whole story,” Berenson said. “And there’s also maritime history in Marblehead that you don’t get with the typical Lexingtons and Concords, those places that you have, you know, the whole birthplace of the American Navy aspect.”
Berenson’s résumé shows 25 years in multimedia content creation and brand strategy. He has won eight Emmy Awards and currently produces the Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series New England Living for the station.
The project aligns with the statewide Rev250 commemoration. In February 2024, the Marblehead Select Board established the Marblehead 250 Committee to organize events and activities leading up to 2026.
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