9 minute read
Discover Lexington
VISIT LEXINGTON the Birthplace of American Liberty
From the first shots fired, that fateful morning in April 1775, to the vicious fighting of “Parker’s Revenge” that afternoon, the events that took place in Lexington, Massachusetts are forever etched in America’s history. As you explore the Battle Road and delve into the stories of the first battles of the American Revolution, we invite you to take in the many fascinating sites in Lexington that bring those stories to life. Here you will find our curated list of the ‘must see’ destinations in Lexington. For more information on each, simply scan the QR code next to the listing. Or better yet, take a walking tour with a traditionally costumed guide – or hop aboard the Liberty Ride Trolley Tour for a fun and fascinating journey into the very first battles that shaped this nation.
BATTLE GREEN
It was here, on the morning of April 19, 1775, that “the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain,” as George Washington wrote in his diary. In this first skirmish, 77 Lexington militia, often called Minutemen, faced 100 members of Major John Pitcairn’s advanced company of British Regulars. Although both sides had been ordered not to fire, the first casualties of the day took place on this hallowed ground. Eight Minutemen lost their lives and 10 were wounded. Two British soldiers were also injured. After the battle, Samuel Adams exclaimed to John Hancock, “What a glorious morning for America!”
The Battle Green is a National Historic Landmark, and is considered consecrated ground, both for the blood shed on it and for the Minutemen who are interred here. It is one of only seven places in the United States where the U.S. flag is authorized by Congress to fly 24 hours a day. Take time to explore the Battle Green monuments:
• The iconic Henry H. Kitson Minuteman Statue
• The Revolutionary War Monument, a granite obelisk erected in 1799, where the remains of seven militiamen killed in the battle are buried
• Captain John Parker monument inscribed with: “Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”
• The Old Belfry, which sounded the alarm on April 19, 1775, calling the militia to the common
• The Old Burying Ground where Captain John Parker, ministers John Hancock and Jonas Clarke, and an unknown British soldier are buried
BUCKMAN TAVERN (CIRCA 1704-1710)
The oldest tavern in Lexington, Buckman Tavern was licensed to serve drovers in 1713, and served as a place for churchgoers during the Sunday nooning. Here, the Lexington Minutemen and militia gathered in the early hours of April 19, 1775 to await the arrival British regulars. The interior today is much the same as it was when the tavern was the headquarters of the Minutemen. Among the many items on display is the Tavern’s old front door with a bullet hole from the 1775 Battle of Lexington.
To the left of the tavern is the Memorial to the Lexington Minutemen of 1775, erected in 1949, and containing the names of the Minutemen who died on the Green in the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The inscription reads “these men gave everything dear in life Yea and Life itself in support of the common cause.” Across from the Lexington Battle Green at 1 Bedford Street.
HANCOCK-CLARK HOUSE (CIRCA 1698)
Home of the Hancocks and the Clarkes, this house was the destination of Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775, as he and William Dawes rode from Boston to warn the sleeping Samuel Adams and John Hancock (first signer of the Declaration of Independence) of the coming of British troops. The house contains period furnishings and portraits, William Diamond’s drum, and British Major Pitcairn’s pistols. A barn behind the Hancock-Clarke House serves as the Society’s Fire Equipment Museum. Location: 36 Hancock Street
LEXINGTON DEPOT
Built in 1847, the Depot building was once the social center and ceremonial heart of Lexington. At one time, as many as nineteen trains stopped there each day to transport passengers to and from Boston. This historic building has been renovated to serve as the headquarters of the Lexington Historical Society. You can visit this beautiful building, sign up for a tour of Lexington’s historic sites, and walk in the footsteps of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and George Washington! Location: Lexington Center at Depot Square
MINUTEMAN STATUE
A renowned symbol of American spirit and the tenacity with which the colonists fought for liberty, the Lexington Minuteman is a life-size bronze figure of a colonial farmer with musket by Boston sculptor Henry H. Kitson. It stands at the southeast corner of the Lexington Battle Green, facing the route of the British advance. Originally a functioning drinking fountain and watering place for men, horses, cattle, and dogs, it was unveiled on April 19, 1900, at the 125th anniversary of the battle.
The man atop the fieldstone base is honors Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington militia in 1775, although no images of him exist. Medford resident Arthur Mather, among others, served as a model for the sculptor.
Although called the “Minuteman,” the statue is intended to represent a member of the Lexington militia, local colonists who had volunteered to be first responders to military and other threats. The actual Minutemen were an elite subset of this group, young and fit and able to respond quickly. Captain Parker witnessed the horror of the British regulars firing upon his men, the morning of April 19, 1775. He also rained down fury on the soldiers as they fled back to Boston after the battle in Concord, in a heated battle known as “Parker’s revenge.” Location: Intersection of Bedford Street and Massachusetts Avenue, at the southeast corner of the Battle Green
MUNROE TAVERN (CIRCA 1690)
More than 300 years old, this former tavern served as a temporary headquarters and field hospital for British Brigadier General Earl Percy and his 1,000 reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Fourteen years later, President Washington dined at the tavern when he visited the Lexington battlefield in 1789. The tavern contains artifacts from his visit and many articles used by the Munroe family when they ran the tavern from 1770 to 1827. Location: 1332 Massachusetts Avenue
THE OLD BELFRY
Originally built on its present site in 1762, the Belfry was moved to the Battle Green in 1768. From there the bell summoned people to worship, warned them of danger, tolled on their deaths, and sounded the alarm on April 19, 1775. After the original structure was lost to fire, this exact reproduction was built in 1910 on the Belfry’s original site on Belfry Hill. A plaque marks its previous location on the Battle Green. Location: The Belfry is located atop the hill at Massachusetts Avenue and Clarke Street — to your left as you face the front of the Minuteman Statue.
THE OLD BURYING GROUND
The gravestones on this site, dating from 1690, are the oldest in Lexington. Burials here include many Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers and veterans, including a British soldier wounded on the British retreat from Concord on April 19, 1775, who died three days later in Buckman Tavern. Location: The Old Burying Ground is located off Massachusetts Avenue, west of the Lexington Battle Green. Walk in from Harrington Road at the stone marker next to the church.
SCOTTISH RITE MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
Established, in 1975, this unique museum tells the story of Freemasonry and fraternalism in the context of American history through exhibitions, collections, publications, and programs. They aim to foster knowledge and appreciation of America’s past and culture, with a focus on United States history. Many interesting online and in-house exhibits of Americana. Location: 33 Marrett Rd.
USS LEXINGTON MEMORIAL
A moving tribute to the five ships named for Lexington and the people who served aboard them. They include a 1776 Brigatine, an 1825 Sloop of War, an 1861 Timberclad, and a 1925 and 1942 Aircraft Carrier. The bell from one of the ships is also on display at the Lexington Visitors Center. Location: Next to the Visitors Center
Lexington Welcomes YOU!
Lexington has much to offer, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our historic town. Stop by our visitors center at 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, across from the Lexington Battle Green, and let us help you plan your day in Lexington with information about the town and the surrounding area, tours, a gift shop, and more.
A great way to take in all the sites is to take a tour with one of our costumed guides! Get up close and relive history with through fascinating insights into colonial life – meet a reenactor, see the places where American history was made, and walk in the footsteps of those whose actions led to the creation of a new nation.
Another great way to see the sites of Lexington AND the neighboring sites of the Battle Road and historic Concord is to hop aboard the Liberty Ride Trolley Tour! This ninety-minute narrated tour lets you see more and experience the full range of the battles of Lexington and Concord.
For more information, or to book your tour, please visit the Visitors Center or scan the QR code. We look forward to welcoming you!
1875 Massachusetts Avenue
Open Daily 9am to 4pm Tel. 781-862-1450
