Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriots’ Day. Patriots’ Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The holiday (officially observed on Monday, April 17, 2017) and the entire week is celebrated with parades, reenactments and commemorative ceremonies.
Meriam's Corner Exercise 373 Lexington Road, Meriam's Corner, Concord 1:00 p.m.
The Town of Concord, joined by area minute companies, fife and drum units, and the Concord Independent Battery, pay remembrance to the fight at Meriam's Corner that marked the beginning of the six-hour running battle back to Boston. Tour the Meriam House from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Paul Revere Capture Ceremony Paul Revere Capture Site, 200 North Great Road Lincoln 3:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute.
Saturday, April 15th Tough Ruck Step off at The Old Manse field, adjacent to North Bridge 7:00 a.m.
Minute Man National Historical Park is honored to once again host the "Tough Ruck," military personnel marching in memory of our fallen soldiers. Come out and support our soldiers in this 26 mile hike along the historic Battle Road Trail. For more information go to http://www.militaryfriends.org/programs/toughruck.
“Armed as According to Law.” – Captain David Brown's Company of Minute Men North Bridge, 300 Monument St, Concord 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Visit North Bridge and Concord Museum and see Captain David Brown's Company, a nearly full strength recreated minute company, demonstrate drill maneuvers and musket firings. Learn about militia duty in colonial Massachusetts and what it meant to be "armed as according to law."
Life on the Battle Road Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House, Hartwell Tavern Parking Area, 100 North Great Road, Lincoln Hartwell Tavern 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Smith House 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hartwell Tavern and the Captain William Smith House will be open. Park staff and living history volunteers from the Lincoln Minute Men, the Guild of Historic Interpreters, and the Ladies of Refined Taste will be demonstrating various aspects of life in Massachusetts at the beginning of the American Revolution.
Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster Hartwell Tavern, Hartwell Tavern Parking Area, 100 North Great Road, Lincoln 10:30 a.m.
Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading, Massachusetts (portrayed by Park Volunteer, Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775.
Visit Whittemore House (Behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A Lexington) 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children's clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775.
**BATTLE DEMONSTRATION** Battle Road: “Parker’s Revenge”
Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington
2:00 p.m.
Hundreds of British and Colonial Reenactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration showing the running battle that took place along this deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington.
Junior Ranger Day at Minute Man National Historical Park
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Earn your Junior Ranger Badge 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington.
Pick up your very own Junior Ranger Day Booklet. You will have fun exploring Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. It's a fun way to learn and earn your Centennial badge & take your oath at 11:30 am, 3:15 pm, and 4:15 pm. Recommended for ages 8-11.
Sunday, April 16th Warlike Preparations at the Barrett Farm At Colonel James Barrett House, 455 Barrett's Mill Road, Concord 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
In 1775, Colonel James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and learn about the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary Dogs: "Paws for the Cause!" at Minute Man Visitor Center Route 2A, Lexington 2:00 p.m. 45 minutes in length
Join Park Ranger Roger Fuller and his pug, Cricket, in a forty-five minute walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America, and in the Revolution. The tour starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and goes to Paul Revere Capture Site, about half a mile, with four stops along the way. The walk is open to all. You are welcome to bring along your well-behaved, friendly dog, too.
Monday, April 17th (Patriots’ Day observed) Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade North Bridge, Concord 8:45 a.m.
British reenactors will be joined by the Acton Minutemen and other local companies for a special commemoration of the North Bridge Fight featuring musket volleys. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 18th
*NEW THIS YEAR* Patriot Vigil North Bridge, Concord Lantern light procession: 7:50 p.m. (step off at North Bridge Visitor Center) Ceremony at North Bridge: 8:00 – 8:45 p.m.
As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield we invite you to come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of Patriots who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April. Please note, if you would like to participate in the procession, we ask you bring you own enclosed candle lantern.
Tuesday, April 19th
Dawn Salute North Bridge, Concord 6:00 a.m.
The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21 gun musket and cannon salute.
*NEW THIS YEAR- Remembering the Ladies North Bridge, Concord 10:00 a.m.
On April 19, 1775, when many men had gone in response to the alarm, women in some communities armed themselves and provided local security in the midst of the crisis. In commemoration of these brave Daughters of Liberty, the Molly Cutthroats, a living history group dedicated to the role of women in the Revolution, will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from North Bridge.
Arrival of the Sudbury Militia North Bridge, Concord 11:30 a.m. (approximately)
The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen will make their annual march to North Bridge from the Town of Sudbury, in honor of their fellow townsmen who made a similar march on April 19, 1775. They will fire three musket volleys from North Bridge as a soldierly salute.
*NEW THIS YEAR- Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard North Bridge, Concord 12:30 p.m. (approximately)
The Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.
Saturday, April 22nd Battle Road Heroes At Hartwell Tavern Parking Area 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Tours leave every 15 minutes.
Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join the Guild of Historic Interpreters for a special evening of theater and history. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. Admission: $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family. Children wearing their Junior Ranger Badges may attend the program for free.
For general park information, please call 978-396-6993 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/MIMA.
