The Great American Outdoors Act at Minute Man National Historical Park

Duration:

3 minutes, 8 seconds

Learn about the many exciting projects in store for Minute Man National Historical Park, thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act.

 

The Great American Outdoors Act

From late fall 2022 through 2025, Minute Man National Historical Park will receive approximately $27 million through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address maintenance backlog challenges for the park’s buildings, structures, landscape, trails, signage and monuments. This multi-year improvement project will include historic structures and landscape improvements such as preserving stone walls and improving views and vistas.

“Thanks to the funding from GAOA, the park will bring many of our iconic structures, monuments and trails back into good condition. The timing of this funding will improve the visitor experience beyond the nation’s 250th anniversary and allow future generations to be inspired by what happened right here in the struggle for liberty,” ~Park Superintendent Simone Monteleone.

The project is being financed through GAOA’s National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund.

 

 

 

 

Satellite image of trail closure. Trail closed from Sam Brooks House (1175 Lexington Road, Concord Ma) to the Battle Road Trail intersection at Elm Brook Hill. Closure is marked with a red line on the trail. A blue box on each end of trail closure marks a staging area.

UPDATE 8/22/23~ Boardwalk Replacement Project to begin at Elm Brook Hill on Battle Road Trail

WHAT: Replacement of the boardwalk near Elm Brook Hill in Minute Man National Historical Park is scheduled to begin. This will impact Battle Road Trail east and west of the boardwalk.

WHEN: Anticipated closure dates of this trail are late August - Early November, 2023.

PLAN AHEAD:The trail will be closed to all users from Sam Brooks Parking Lot to the intersection of the Battle Road Trail with Elm Brook Hill. This allows for staging and movement of construction equipment. Crossing through the construction zone and safety fencing is prohibited.

ALTERNATE RECREATIONAL TRAILS: Consider exploring all that the area has to offer, including Minuteman Bikeway, Reformatory Branch Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail.

 

Satellite image of trail closure. Trail closed from Carty Barn (955 Lexington Road, Concord Ma) to Shadyside Avenue Concord, MA. Closure is marked with a red line on the trail.

UPDATE 6/5~Trail Closures on Battle Road Trail

WHAT: Boardwalk and section of trail between Carty Barn and Shadyside Avenue.
The boardwalk behind Olive Stow house/ Carty Barn complex (955 Lexington Road, Concord) will be replaced. The trail to the east of the boardwalk extending to Shadyside Avenue is closed to trail users so that construction equipment may be shuttled along the trail during construction time period of several weeks to months.

WHEN: Anticipated closure dates of this trail (the boardwalk and the trail east of boardwalk extending to Shadyside Avenue) are June 6 through mid- September 2023.

PLAN AHEAD: The trail will be closed to users from the western edge of the boardwalk and extending east to Shadyside Avenue. Please plan your path of travel accordingly. You will need to turn around at the closures on each end. Crossing through the construction zone and safety fencing is prohibited.

ALTERNATE RECREATIONAL TRAILS: Consider exploring all that the area has to offer, including Minuteman Bikeway, Reformatory Branch Trail, and Bay Circuit Trail.

 

Director Sams with Student Conservation Association members at the Olive Stow House.

NPS Photo

UPDATE 5/17~ Director Sams visits Stow House

Spring is in the air and restoration work funded by the Great American Outdoors Act is progressing steadily in Minute Man National Historical Park.

One site undergoing restoration is the Olive Stow House along Lexington Road in Concord, Massachusetts. On April 24, 2023 National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, visited the Stow house for a hands-on examination of the restoration project. Director Sams spent time speaking with NPS crews from the Historic Architecture, Conservation and Engineering Center and Student Conservation Association members about their hard work.

On April 19, 1775, widow Olive Stow occupied a house on this property, however the exact age of the standing structure is unknown. Experts believe the building dates to the second half of the 18th century but are unsure if it witnessed the battle. Fortunately, when fighting raged along the battle road in 1775, Olive and her two children Sarah (age 14) and Nathaniel (age 13) survived unharmed.

In recent weeks restoration teams have stabilized the 18th century structure and begun the careful process of bringing this incredible building back to life.

For more information about GAOA projects at Minute Man NHP check our updates page regularly!

To learn more about the houses we know witnessed the battle in 1775 follow the link below.
April 19, 1775 Witness Houses - Minute Man National Historical Park

 

 

UPDATE 4/5

Minute Man National Historical Park received approximately $27.4 million in project funds from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address maintenance and repair needs for the park’s buildings, structures, landscape, trails, signage, and monuments.

Beginning in March 2023, Phase I preservation work has focused on rehabilitating 16 historic structures including interior repairs and upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. When the work is complete, these buildings, including the Jacob Whittemore House, the Elisha Jones House, Carty Barn, and the Captain William Smith House can continue their solemn watch over this hallowed landscape for years to come. This work was awarded to local, small business contractor Classic Site Solutions, Inc. from Wilbraham, Mass.

The second project phase will focus on rehabilitating the park’s landscape. Work onhe Battle Road Trail, the core of the park's interpretative and recreational connections will seamlessly connect visitors to more than six miles of accessible pedestrian trails and boardwalks. This work was awarded to local, woman-owned business Edward Paige Corporation from Norwell, MA.

“These repairs ensure that Minute Man National Historical Park will have the ability to continue sharing important historical stories about the causes and consequences of the American Revolution,” said Simone Monteleone, park superintendent. “The Park will be ready to welcome visitors for the 250th anniversary for the opening of the American Revolution in April 2025.”

In 2022, the park had more than 960,000 visitors enjoy the park to recreate along the Battle Road Trail or learn about the causes and consequences of the American Revolution. During the first project phase, park visitors can expect minor inconveniences during 2023 and 2024 associated with construction activities at some of the park’s parking lots and trail areas adjacent to the buildings. http://www.nps.gov/mima

Additional work will take place throughout the park continuing into 2025, the 250^th anniversary year of the opening battle of the American Revolution. Improvement projects include historic structures and landscape improvements, such as preserving stone walls and improving views and vistas. Additional work will enhance the elements of this locally significant landscape to reveal the agricultural history of Massachusetts in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries by replanting and vegetation maintenance and improved wayfinding signage.

Funding for the project is from GAOA’s National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund. GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, the fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.