Boston.com: Get your muskets ready - Patriot's Day celebration calendar released
The National Park Service has released a calendar of this year's activities to commemorate the events of 1775 at Minute Man National Historical Park.
Each year in mid-April, thousands flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriot's Day, a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The parades, programs, re-enactments and ceremonies span from April 9 to April 23, according to a release from the park.
According to Minute Man Superintendent Nancy Nelson, the Battle Road event on Saturday, April 16, is the biggest day of commemorations within Minute Man National Historical Park.
"Hundreds of colonial militia will square off against British Redcoats. The celebration of Patriot’ s Day is all about remembering the brave actions of the embattled farmers’ who risked their lives and livelihoods,” Nelson said.
In addition to the military activities, volunteer reenactors at the park’ s historic Hartwell Tavern will represent daily life in 1775. Domestic arts demonstrations will illustrate how civilian men and women contributed to the cause of American Liberty. Demonstrations will include food preparation, house cleaning, needlework, laundry, children’ s games, and a Revolutionary spinning bee.
The celebrations culminate with “ Junior Ranger Day” and “ Battle Road Heroes” on Saturday, April 23. Events are free of charge, except where noted.
Saturday, April 9
Meriam's Corner Ceremony
At Meriam's Corner, Lexington Road, 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 . The historic Meriam House will be open 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
At Paul Revere Capture Site, Rt. 2A, Lincoln
3:00 p.m.
The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by other reenactment and fife and drum units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere.
Thursday, April 14
Naturalization Ceremony
At the North Bridge, Concord
12:00 noon
In this compelling place, where citizens stood together and risked their lives to defend their rights, Minute Man National Historical Park will host a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony for 50 participants. The ideals of liberty and self- determination that the minute men fought for are an essential part of the American identity.
Friday, April 15
The Paul Revere Capture Reenactment
At the Bloody Angle, Battle Road Trail, Lincoln MA.
7:30 p.m.
In the pre-dawn darkness of April 19, 1775, Paul Revere was captured by a mounted patrol of British officers, and the famous "midnight ride" came to an abrupt end. Join park staff and volunteer reenactors (and their horses) as we recreate this dramatic preamble to the opening battle of the American Revolution. We recommend you bring a flashlight for the walk from the parking area to the event site. Parking for this event is at the Lincoln North Parking Area, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln MA.
Saturday, April 16
Battle Road
Minute Man National Historical Park
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Minute Man National Historical Park, in partnership with hundreds of Colonial and British
reenactors, commemorates the opening battle of the American Revolution with a day full of exciting living history activities. Tour Hartwell Tavern, Lincoln, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., an
historic home and tavern that stood witness to the events of April, 19, 1775, and enjoy a variety of 18th century activities including drill and musket demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations, domestic arts, crafts and games.
The day's events also feature two key military engagements:
Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight
At the North Bridge, Concord
8:30 a.m.
The peace of the Concord countryside will once more be shattered by the sounds of marching men and musketry as British and Colonial Reenactors, Park Rangers and Volunteers bring the fateful morning of April 19, 1775 to life in this stirring commemoration of "the shot heard round the world." Parking for North Bridge events is on Monument Street; Park Rangers will direct you.
Bloody Angle Tactical Demonstration
At Hartwell Tavern (Route 2A, Lincoln)
11:00 a.m.
The Bloody Angle Tactical Demonstration features over 300 British and Colonial Reenactors encamped at the Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House. They will stage a running battle demonstration along a half-mile of the original Battle Road. Hartwell Tavern is located on Route 2A in Lincoln. Park Rangers will direct you to parking.
M onday, April 18
Battle Reenactment - Lexington Green
5:00 a.m. (approximately)
(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 2:00. 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 9:00 in Concord Center and arrives at the North Bridge around 9:30, 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.
Tuesday, April 19
Dawn Salute
At the North Bridge, Concord
6:00 a.m.
The Concord Minute Men and The Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War in a 21 gun musket and cannon salute to America's past.
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 a musket salute from North Bridge.
Saturday, April 23
Junior Ranger Day
At the Minute Man and North Bridge Visitor Centers and Hartwell Tavern
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Have fun exploring Minute Man National Historical Park with your Junior Ranger Day Booklet to guide you. Take part in a variety of special programs including story time, "Hat's Off!" in our Reader's Theater, and militia drill to master real battle formations from 1775 with wooden muskets. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge.
Battle Road Heroes
At Hartwell Tavern (Route 2A, Lincoln)
7:00 - 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 $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Minute Man National Park. Children wearing their Minute Man NHP Junior Ranger badge are welcome to attend the program for free. 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.
