Patriots' Day

Battle Road

NPS Photo/ Pollock

What is Patriots' Day?

Patriots' Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. Although Patriots' Day occurs annually on the third Monday of April, Minute Man National Historical Park host special programs and events throughout the month. The following is a schedule of our signature Patriots' Day events for 2024.
Patriots' Day events supported by the Friends of Minute Man National Park

Signature events at Minute Man National Historical Park include:

 

 

Open House at Meriam's Corner

April 6, 2024
Nathan Meriam House
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visit the Nathan Meriam witness house and talk with costumed park staff about the Meriam family and the importance of the crossroad near their home on April 19, 1775. In the early afternoon of that fateful day, Militia soldiers arriving from Reading, Chelmsford, and Billerica attacked retreating British soldiers near this home. From Meriam’s Corner to Charlestown the fighting raged continuously for 8 hours and roughly 16 miles. Today, this important home marks the beginning of the “Battle Road.”

Parking:
Meriam's Corner Parking Lot: 751 Lexington Road, Concord, MA.
Overflow parking available on the day of the event.

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The Search of the Barrett Farm~ CANCELED DUE TO FLOODING

April 7, 2024
Colonel James Barrett House
Canceled due to flooding

On April 19th, 1775 a contingent of about 120, British Soldiers marched over the North Bridge to Barrett’s farm in search of military arms and supplies. During this open house program explore the interior of this 319 year old home, talk with costumed park staff about military preparations in 1775, and learn the story of Rebeckah Barrett who went toe to toe with the British Soldiers searching her home.

Parking:
Colonel James Barrett House: 448 Barrett's Mill Road, Concord MA 01742

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Battle Road Tactical Demonstration

April 13, 2024
* Events happening across Minute Man NHP

This is the signature living history event at Minute Man National Historical Park, featuring hundreds of volunteer reenactors. Throughout the day learn about the events of April 19, 1775 from many points of view. Enjoy a full schedule of living history programs and demonstrations, including a fast-paced tactical demonstration along a restored stretch of the original Battle Road! Talk with volunteers portraying colonial civilians forced to leave their homes, minute men who answered the sudden call to arms, British soldiers fighting for king and country and Loyalists who saw the struggle differently from their neighbors.

Detailed Schedule:
Hartwell Tavern Open House
9:30 am- 11:30 am
Explore the interior of Hartwell Tavern and talk with living history interpreters dressed in eighteenth century attire. Learn about the experiences of the Hartwell Family on April 19, 1775 or talk about the civilian evacuation that preceded fighting along the Battle Road!

Smith House Open House
9:30 am- 11:30 am
Explore the interior of the William Smith House and talk with living history interpreters dressed in eighteenth century attire. Learn about the experiences of civilians caught in the storm of war on April 19, 1775!

Caught in the Storm of War: The Civilian Evacuation
11:00 am- 11:20 am
William Smith House
Learn about the experiences of non-combatants on April 19, 1775 and the incredible stories of those who struggled to protect their families from the horrors of war. This program presented by the Ladies Association of Revolutionary America will occure at the Smith House.

Civilian Evacuation and Elm Brook Hill Tactical Demonstration
11:30 am
Hartwell Tavern
Watch as hundreds of volunteer reenactors demonstrate the complex tactics used by Militia Soldiers and British Regulars along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. This program includes musket firing demonstrations. Visitors with hearing concerns should exercise caution. Click here to check out pictures from previous events!

Parkers Revenge Tactical Demonstration
1:00 pm
Parkers Revenge Battle Site (Near Minute Man Visitor Center)
Watch as hundreds of volunteer reenactors demonstrate the complex tactics used by Militia Soldiers and British Regulars along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. This program includes musket firing demonstrations. Visitors with hearing concerns should exercise caution. Click here to check out pictures from previous events!

Explore the Elm Brook Hill Battle Site with Edmund Foster
2:30 pm- 3:30 pm
Hartwell Tavern
Edmund Foster, a militiaman from Reading, Massachusetts (portrayed by park volunteer, Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to the Elm Brook Hill (Bloody Angle) Battle Site where he fought on April 19, 1775. He will be joined by Lincoln, Massachusetts historian and author Don Hafner.


Parking:

• PRIMARY PARKING: Visitors are encouraged to park at Minuteman High School, located at 758 Marrett Road in Lexington, MA. Additional accessible parking will be available at the Minute Man Visitor Center parking lot – 210 North Great Road in Lincoln, MA – on the park’s east end.

• Visitors trying to view BOTH tactical demonstrations are encouraged to park at either Minute Man High School or the Minute Man Visitor Center, then walk up to 1.7 miles to Hartwell Tavern. Following the Hartwell Tavern tactical demonstration, visitors then can walk back to the park’s east side for the Parker’s Revenge tactical demonstration. Once the first demonstration begins, parking at any lot is not guaranteed.

• There are NO shuttles available to transport visitors!

• There will be parking available at Hartwell Tavern, but that lot is expected to fill up early and quickly. Again, visitors are advised to first look for parking at Minuteman High School or the Minute Man Visitor Center.

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North Bridge Fight Commemoration CANCELED DUE TO FLOODING

April 15, 2024
North Bridge, Concord
8:30 am

Commemorate Patriot's Day with a dramatic tactical demonstration involving Colonial minute men, British regulars, and musket fire, marking the "shot heard round the world." Viewing areas are available near the Monument Street entrance of the North Bridge and on the high ground near Liberty Street. During the tactical demonstration movement between the viewing areas will be restricted for visitor safety.

Parking: The roads in Concord close at 8:30 am so please arrive early.

North Bridge Parking Lot: 280 Monument Street, Concord, MA
North Bridge Visitor Center: 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA

• Estabrook Rd will stay open for the duration of the event. Visitors may choose between two viewing areas. The area to the east of the North Bridge, with parking at 280 Monument St. The other is to the west of the North Bridge, with parking at the North Bridge Visitor Center and Major John Buttrick House.

 

Battle Road Anniversary Hike

April 15, 2024
12:30 pm- 5:30 pm

Join National Park Rangers for an immersive 4-mile guided Battle Road trail hike to Fiske Hill and follow in the footsteps of the ill-fated British column during the Concord expedition. This experiential program will bring the stories of the battle road to life through guided interpretation and immersive Living History elements. Learn about the trials and triumphs of those who experienced the bloody events of April 19, 1775. *Note: Due to ongoing trail restoration work, the 2024 program will be slightly shorter in length.
Update: The 2024 Anniversary HIke has sold out! 2024 Registration has sold out! Thanks to Friends of Minute Man National Park for maganging resigstration in 2024. Join the waitlist at Friends of Minute Man National Park website events page.

Program Logistics:

• Once registered, participants will receive additional details with starting location and a parking pass in a confirmation email.
• This program is free of charge, although registration is required if you would like to reserve a limited seat on the post-program shuttle bus returning participants from Fiske Hill to the starting point of the program.
• Be advised this program will be an expansive hike over 4-miles of Battle Road Trail on undulating terrain. Sturdy walking shoes/ equipment, weather appropriate clothing, and water are recommended. Park comfort stations at Hartwell Tavern, and the Minute Man Visitor Center will be open.
• Be advised bug spray is recommended
• Be advised this program will feature musket fire along with other immersive living history elements.
• Dogs are not permitted on this tour.
• Though portions of the Battle Road Trail are wheelchair accessible, the entirety of the program from start to finish involves terrain that is inaccessible.
• Sorry, we cannot accomodate non-registered participants on this program.

Parking:
Parking passes will be emailed in advance to registered participants.

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Patriot Vigil

Thursday, April 18, 2024
North Bridge, Concord
Ceremony 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Luminaria 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm

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 the soldiers who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19^th of April.
The path from the North Bridge Visitor Center to the North Bridge will be lighted with 122 luminaries to honor those who lost their lives in the battle.

Lantern light procession* starts at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St, Concord, MA
*To participate in the lantern-light procession, please provide your own REAL candle lantern. The procession will begin at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord Ma. From there we will march down the quarter-mile path to the North Bridge where the ceremony will take place. Participants are welcome to wear 18th century clothing if they choose, but please do not bring muskets.

Parking:
North Bridge Visitor Center: 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA
North Bridge Parking Lot: 280 Monument Street, Concord, MA

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Hartwell Tavern Open House

April 19, 2024
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Hartwell Tavern is a restored 18th century home located along the Battle Road in Minute Man National Historical Park. On the 249th Anniversary of the battle you will have an opportunity to explore the interior of Hartwell Tavern and talk with interpreters dressed in eighteenth century attire. Learn about the experiences of the Hartwell Family on April 19, 1775 or talk about popular drinks consumed in the 18th century tavern room!

The Minute Men: Neighbor's In Arms - 11:00 am Ranger Program
(30 Minutes)
What did it mean to be a minute man in 1775? How were they trained and armed? Join a park ranger at the historic Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln Ma, where John and Isaac Hartwell, two minute men from the town of Lincoln, lived. Discover the motivations and realities faced by those who volunteered to be “ready at a minute’s warning.” This program includes a musket firing demonstration. Visitors with hearing concerns should exercise caution.

The Aftermath of Battle - 2:00 pm Ranger Program
(30 Minutes)

When the fighting ended on April 19, 1775 a road of carnage stretched over 16 miles from Concord to Boston. On the 249th Anniversary of the battle, join a park ranger at the historic Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln Ma, to learn the harrowing stories of those who buried the dead, cared for the wounded and faced an uncertain world in the days following.

Parking:
Hartwell Parking Lot: 112 North Great Road, Lincoln, Ma.

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Patriots' Day events supported by the Friends of Minute Man National Park.

Learn more about the Friends of Minute Man National Park by visiting their website Friends of Minute Man National Park

 

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