Battle Road 2009 Events - March, April, May 2009

Thank you for your enthusiastic support of the Battle Road events of 2009. Here is the archive of 2009 events. Most should be repeated in 2010. We are looking forward to an even more successful Patriots Day weekend in 2010 (the 235th Anniversary of the original battles).

Unless noted, there is no charge to attend any of the events below. Please also visit the site www.lexingtonma.gov/visitors/patriotsday2009.cfm for a complete listing of Patriots Day 2009 events in Lexington MA.

• Boston Massacre Re-Enactment - Saturday, March 7, 2009: Information can be downloaded here.

• Unit Commanders' Walkthrough - Saturday, March 21, 2009: 7:30 at Old North Bridge, 8:30 at Hartwell Tavern.

• Muster at Minute Man National Historic Park - Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Hartwell Tavern. All Battle Road participating units are asked to send at least two representatives to the Muster. Please come in kit with weapons, accouterments and lunch. There will be black powder training and field drills starting at 10 am. DO NOT BRING POWDER. This will be supplied by NPS on-site.
  For additional information, contact Ranger Jim Hollister via email

• Dress Rehearsal for the Battle on Lexington Green - Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm on the Battle Green, Lexington Center
  This is the dress rehearsal for the Patriots Day reenactment of the skirmish on April 19. 1775. Rain date: Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm
  Contact: Lexington Minute Men via email

• Three Events April 11th:
• Bedford Parade and Pole Capping - Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 10:30 am at Wilson Park in Bedford
  Minutemen from throughout New England will convene on the Town Common and march with fife and drum down The Great Road to Wilson Park to watch the official Pole Capping tradition. A minuteman will proclaim freedom by shinnying up a 25-foot pole and placing a red cap atop it.
  Contact: The Bedford Minuteman Company.
• Meriam's Corner Exercise - Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Meriam's Corner, Lexington Rd., Concord
  The town of Concord, joined by area minute companies and Minute Man National Historical Park, commemorate the fight at Meriam's Corner that sparked the six-hour running battle back to Boston.
  Contact: Minute Man National Historical Park
• Paul Revere Capture Ceremony - Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm, Paul Revere Capture Site of Minute Man National Historical Park, Route 2A, Lincoln. The Lincoln fife and drum corps, Lincoln Minute Men, the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums, the Middlesex County 4-H Fifes and Drums, and town officials observe the historic capture of Paul Revere.
  Contact: Lincoln Minute Men

• Celebration & Press Conference - Friday, April 17, 10:30am, Barrett Farm, Concord - Minute Man Park, Save Our Heritage, Congresswoman Tsongas, and other officials will gather at Barrett Farm to formally announce and celebrate the passage of legislation expanding the Park’s boundary to include Barrett Farm. The event will include speeches, music, refreshments, and re-enactors.   Please come and share in this historic celebration!  Rain or shine. For more information, contact Save Our Heritage. OPEN HOUSE at the Barrett Farmhouse on Sunday April 19 and Monday April 20.

• BATTLE ROAD EVENT SATURDAY APRIL 18th, 2009:
• Commemoration of the Concord Conflict at the North Bridge - Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:30 am, Minute Man National Historical Park, Monument Street, Concord
  The peace of the Concord countryside will once more be shattered by the sounds of marching feet and musket fire 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 first time that colonists were ordered to fire upon British soldiers that became known as "the shot heard 'round the world."
  Contact: Minute Man National Historical Park
• Parker's Revenge Re-enactment - Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:30 am in Lexington center
  This event will be the first time the actions of Captain Parker's militia following the April 19, 1775 morning skirmish will be re-enacted.
  Contact: Lexington Minutemen
• Battle Road Event at the Hartwell Tavern historical area - Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Minute Man National Historical Park, Route 2A, Lincoln
  This is the largest Battle Road event and features hundreds of British and Colonial re-enactors encamped at the Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith house, both part of Minute Man National Historical Park. There will be drill and musket demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations, crafts, games and more! This event offers you a chance to get up close and talk with the re-enactors about 18th century life. The highlight of the day will be a massed tactical weapons demonstration running over a half-mile of the original Battle Road starting at 1:00 pm. Parking is at designated National Park sites along route 2A and at the Lincoln North office park, Old Bedford Road..
  Contact: Minute Man National Historical Park
• Tower Park Battle - Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at Tower Park on Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington
  A typical battle in the American Revolution will be demonstrated for the public in this natural amphitheatre site.
  Contact: Lexington Minutemen

• SUNDAY APRIL 19th:
• Sudbury March to Concord - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 3:45 am in Wayland center and 5:45 am in Sudbury Center
  Show your fortitude and love of local history with this annual march through Wayland and Sudbury to Concord, arriving at the North Bridge at approximately 10:30 am.
  Contact: Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute
• Dawn Salute at the North Bridge - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 6:00 am at Minute Man National Historical Park, Monument Street, Concord
  The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War in a moving musket and cannon salute to America's past. Following this, at 7:30 am, join Park staff and volunteer for a wreath laying and historical speeches.
  Contact: Minute Man National Historical Park
• Jason Russell House Battle Re-enactment - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 1:30 pm: This year marks the 234th anniversary of the hostilities.The skirmish will be recreated at 2:00 pm on the grounds of the Jason Russell House, corner of Jason Street and Massachusetts Avenue, site of the original battle. Contact the Arlington Historical Society.
• The Lincoln Salute: A Concert of 18th Century Fife & Drum Music - Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 1:45 pm to 3:30 pm, Pierce Park, Lincoln
  The Lincoln Minute Men will host a concert of 18th century fife and drum music including 18th century folk tunes from all the cultures of Europe and works by the major composers of the era. The Salute includes performances by the Fifes and Drums of the Lincoln Minute Men, 1st Michigan Fifes and Drums, the Bluff Point Quahog Diggers, the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums, the Middlesex County 4-H Fifes and Drums, and other music groups.
  Contact: Lincoln Minute Men
• Alarm & Muster of the Lincoln Minute Men - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 7:00 pm, Lincoln Center
  The Lincoln Company of Minute Men will reenact that happened just after midnight on April 19, 1775. Captain William Smith will arrive by horse to ring the bell of the White Church and spread the alarm that the British Regulars are coming. The Lincoln Minute Men will muster to receive their orders for the march to Concord. The event will include a horse rider, historical explanations, colonial music, a musket salute, and lots of Revolutionary commotion.
  Contact: Lincoln Minute Men
• "In Their Own Words" - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 8:00 pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 55 Coolidge Avenue in Lexington.
  A dramatic reading by lantern light of the events of April 18th and 19th, 1775, from period documents and writings from those who were there.
  Information and tickets: Call 781 862-1703 or email Lexington Historical Society
• Paul Revere's Arrival in Lexington - Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm at the Hancock/Clarke House on Hancock Street, Lexington, MA,
  1/8th mile west of Buckman Tavern and the Green. Contact: Lexington Historical Society

• PATRIOTS DAY MONDAY APRIL 20th:
• Stow Minutemen Patriots Day Trail March - Monday, April 20, 2009 at 4:45 am in Stow
  The Stow Annual Trail March and Parade starts from Stow Lower Common. The air is cool and quiet, but not for long as the sounds of the fifes and drums and the firing of the muskets awaken the townsfolk along the route. The Minutemen arrive at the North Bridge around 9 am then join up with the Concord parade.
  Contact: Stow Minutemen
• Col. John Robinson Trail March - Monday, April 20, 2009 at 4:45 am in Westford
  Every year members of the Westford Colonial Minutemen walk the route travelled by the Westford militia and minute companies as they answered the alarm on April 19th, 1775. The public is in invited to join them in the 10-mile walk that ends at Concord's North Bridge.
  Contact: Westford Minutemen.
• The Battle on Lexington Green - Monday, April 20, 2009 at 5:30 am in Lexington center (Rain date: April 25, 2009)
  This event recreates the historic skirmish in Lexington on the first day of the American Revolution. Following the ringing of the bell in the Old Belfry, members of the Lexington Training Band (now known as the Minutemen) gather on Lexington Green to await the column of British Regulars as they march into the town center. A shot rings out, the skirmish follows, and the British column marches on towards Concord leaving dead and wounded behind.
  Contact: Lexington Minutemen
• Pancake Breakfasts - Monday, April 20, 2009 in Lexington
  • St. Brigid Church, 2001 Massachusetts Avenue, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 160. 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Nominal cost.
  • First Baptist Church, 1580 Massachusetts Avenue (across from the police station). 6:00 am to 10:00 am. Nominal cost..
  • Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street. 6:00 am to 9:00 am. Nominal cost.
• Isaac Davis March to Concord - Monday, April 20, 2009 at 6:00 am at the Issac Davis Homestead on Hayward Rd., Acton
  The Acton Minutemen will make their annual march to the North Bridge in Concord, arriving at 9:00 am.
  Contact: Acton Minutemen
• Lincoln Minute Men March to Concord - Monday, April 20, 2009 at 6:45 am starting at the Town Cemetery on Old Lexington Road, Lincoln
  The Lincoln Minute Men will fire a musket salute to the patriots buried at the cemetery then begin their march along Sandy Pond Road toward Concord with colonial music and musket firing along the way.
  Contact: Lincoln Minute Men
• Lexington Youth Parade - Monday, April 20, 2009 starting at 7:30 am in Lexington center.
  Contact: Lexington Town Celebrations Committee, 781 862-0500 x708
• Mourn Arms Ceremony at British Graves, North Bridge, Concord - Monday April 20, 2009, approximately 8:45 am: Prior to the Concord Parade, British Regulars will Mourn Arms and salute the fallen soldiers of the King's Own 4th Regiment of Foot at Old North Bridge.
• Concord's Patriots Day Parade - Monday, April 20, 2009 starting at 9:00 am in Concord Center.
  Contact: Concord Chamber of Commerce via email or at 978 369-3120.
• Paul Revere's Arrival at Lexington Green - Monday, April 20, 2009 1:00 pm in Lexington center
  Contact: Lexington Town Celebrations Committee, 781 862-0500 x708
• Spirit of Acton 1775 and 1861 - Monday, April 20, 2009 from 1 pm to 4 pm, Acton
  Join the Acton Historical Society and Iron Work Farm as they demonstrate colonial activities, reenact life as it was lived during the time of the American Revolution and at the start of the Civil War. There will also be tours of the 1760 Hosmer House, the 1728 Jones Tavern, and the 1706 Faulkner Homestead. There will be plenty of activities for children and adults. Parking will be available at Town Hall at 472 Main Street and across from the Hosmer House at 300 Main Street. Two trolleys will run up and down Main Street during the event, starting from Town Hall and stopping at the three sites. Tickets can be bought at any of these sites on the day of the event, starting at 12:45 pm and they include unlimited on and off privileges for the trolleys and admission to the historic sites. Tickets are $5 per person age 13 and over and $3 per person under age 13.
  Contact and more info: Acton Historical Society.
• Lexington Patriots Day Parade - Monday, April 20, 2009 starting at 2:00 pm in East Lexington
  Contact: Lexington Town Celebrations Committee, 781 862-0500 x708

• "Battle Road Heroes" at the Hartwell Tavern - Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Minute Man National Historical Park, Route 2A, Lincoln: 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 Minute Man National Park Association.
  Contact: Minute Man National Historical Park

• Revolutionary Graves Ceremony, Lincoln, MA - Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 pm , the Lincoln Minute Men will assemble at the Pierce House and march to the Town Cemetery on Old Lexington Road. The Minute Men will be accompanied by clergy, honored guests, and a contingent of British Regulars accompanied by a bagpiper. At 3:00 pm, there will be gravesite ceremonies honoring both the Lincoln patriots of the Revolution and the five British soldiers who were killed in Lincoln on April 19, 1775, and buried there. The ceremonies will include prayer, a commemorative speech, colonial music, and musket salutes. Following the ceremonies, the Minute Men and their guests will march back to the Pierce House, where refreshments will be served to all, courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society. For further information, contact the Lincoln Minute Men at press@lincolnminutemen.org.

• "Pathway of the Patriots" - Sunday May 3, 2009 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
  The Woburn Historical Society presents "Pathway of the Patriots" at the Tarky School lot, Russell St, Woburn. The event will consist of several reenactments of Revolutionary stories, including a "Tar and Feathering" and skirmishes between the British 4th and 10th Regiments of Foot and the Woburn and Charlestown Militias. There will be demonstrations of cooking, a British army surgeon, and traditional music and dancing demonstration. Admission is free. The Tarky School lot is on Russell Street which runs from Middlesex Turnpike in Lexington to Cambridge Road in the Woburn's Four Corners.
  Contact and details: Woburn Historical Society