What Is Minute Man National Historical Park?
This stretch of historic Bay Road preserves the witness houses and graves marking the Revolutionary battles between Lexington and Concord!
What Makes It Historical?
In 1775, British Governor, Thomas Gage, figured he could prevent a war with the colonies just by capturing John Hancock and Samuel Adams, and raiding the weapons and munitions stored in Concord, Massachusetts. What he hadn’t counted on was word leaking to the rebels, possibly by his own wife, Margaret, who’d been born in New Jersey. With word of the British plans, three riders—William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and Paul Revere—went out from Boston on the night of April 18-19, 1775 to warn the Minute Men of Lexington and Concord!
These militia members got their nickname for their ability to be ready in minutes, and at Lexington, 75 of them, led by Captain John Parker, faced off against the first wave of British soldiers at dawn on April 19th. No one gave the order to fire, but a British soldier’s gun did go off, leading to panic shots that left eight Minute Men dead and ten wounded! The Brits, led by Francis Smith and John Pitcairn, marched on, thinking it would be an easy road to Concord!
But Minute Men were waking up across the county! At Concord, Samuel Prescott had delivered the warning after Paul Revere was captured en route, and though the British did burn some cannons and gunpowder, plenty more got moved to safety. Believing they’d thoroughly searched Concord, the British moved to block the two bridges leading into town. At the North Bridge, the Minute Men under Major Buttrick, confronted the Redcoats, and like at Lexington, a British soldier panicked and fired! By this time, almost four thousand Minute Men were descending upon Concord, and they were ready for battle, chasing the British 16 miles back to Boston! It was the first shot of this offensive that came to be known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World!”
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at Minute Man National Historical Park!
- Donate to Minute Man National Historical Park!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
Lexington Visitor Center
- 210 N Great Rd
Lincoln, MA 01773
Concord Visitor Center
- 174 Liberty St
Concord, MA 01742
When Should I Visit the Park?
The visitor center at Lexington is open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM the first week of May to the last week of October! The Concord visitor center opens at 10:00 AM. Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset!
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