Patriots' Day Week at Minute Man National Historical Park

The following is a press release from Minute Man National Historical Park. It has been shortened and lightly edited.

The Battle Road event on Saturday, April 14, will feature 300 colonists and British redcoats.

In addition to the military activities, volunteer re-enactors at Minute Man National Historical Park’s historic Hartwell Tavern will represent daily life in 1775 to illustrate how civilian men and women contributed to the cause of American Liberty.

The celebrations culminate with “Junior Ranger Day” and Battle Road Heroes” on Saturday, April 21. Events are free of charge, except where noted.

Saturday, April 14

Battle Road

Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House, Lincoln

Hartwell Tavern open: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Captain William Smith House open: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Activities will include musket and cannon firing, battle demonstrations, colonial life demonstrations, and family activities. Key events are:

Bloody Angle Battle Demonstration

Hartwell Tavern Area, Lincoln

11 a.m.

300 Colonial and British reenactors demonstrate tactics used during the running fight back to Boston on April 19, 1775. The action will occur between "Bloody Angle" and the Samuel Hartwell House site along the Battle Road Trail.

Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration

Parker's Revenge Site (near Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington)

2 p.m.

The Lexington Training Band will demonstrate an ambush on the British column, as occurred on April 19, 1775 as Captain Parker's Lexington militia company took revenge on the British for their losses earlier that morning.

Tower Park Battle Demonstration

Tower Park, Lexington

4 p.m.

Battle Road continues beyond the borders of Minute Man NHP.  British and Colonial reenactors stage a battle demonstration in a park alongside Massachusetts Avenue.

Monday, April 16

Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green

5 a.m.

(Not within Minute Man National Historical Park) The Town of Lexington celebrates the start of the American Revolution with a battle reenactment of the early-morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars. The Lexington Parade will be held at 2 p.m. For more information, contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce: (781) 862 – 1450, info@lexingtonchamber.org

British Mourn Arms Ceremony and Concord Patriot's Day Parade

At the North Bridge, Concord

At 8:30 a.m., British Redcoats will conduct a very moving "mourn arms" ceremony in honor of their war dead. The Concord Patriot's Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. in Concord Center and arrives at the North Bridge around 9:30 a.m., stopping for ceremonies with music and musket and cannon salutes, before returning through town.  NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 19

Dawn Salute

At the North Bridge, Concord

5:45 a.m.

Alarm rider “Dr. Prescott” crosses North Bridge calling out the warning that the Regulars are on the march.  The Concord Minute Men fire salutes from the hillside and the Concord Independent Battery answer with volleys from the field at the Old Manse.

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia

At the North Bridge, Concord

10:30 a.m.

The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute Men arrive at the North Bridge after making their annual march from the town of Sudbury. They will fire three musket salutes from the North Bridge.

Saturday, April 21

Junior Ranger Day

At the Minute Man and North Bridge Visitor Centers and Hartwell Tavern

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Have fun exploring Minute Man National Historical Park with your Junior Ranger Day Booklet to guide you. Take part in "Hat's Off!" in our Reader's Theater and a militia drill with wooden muskets. At the end of the day, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge.

Battle Road Heroes

At Hartwell Tavern (Route 2A, Lincoln)

7 - 8:30 p.m.

You've watched the battle reenactments and the parades. Now you are invited to walk down a candle-lit path to the past. Listen to the personal stories of people who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join Captain William Smith, the Lincoln Minute Men, the Hartwells, drovers, musicians, and His Majesty's soldiers for this special evening of theater and history. Admission for "Battle Road Heroes" is $5 per person, $10 per family. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Minute Man National Park. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

For more information about any of these events, please visit our web site www.nps.gov/mima or call 978-369-6993.