Meriam’s Corner Exercise
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Meriam’s Corner
1:00 – 2:00 pm
The Town of Concord, joined by local fife and drum ensembles, minute men and the Concord Independent Battery commemorate the fighting that occurred at Meriam’s Corner on April 19, 1775. The Nathan Meriam House will be open 11am- 2pm.
Parking:
Meriam’s Corner Lot: 751 Lexington Road, Concord, Ma.
Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Saturday April 8, 2023
Paul Revere Capture Site
3:00-4:00 pm
The Lincoln Minute Men, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with historic music and a musket fire salute.
Parking:
Paul Revere Capture Site: 180 North Great Road, Lincoln, Ma
Minute Man Visitor Center: 210 North Great Road, Lincoln, Ma
A Celebration Honoring Ellen Garrison, Educator, and Activist – Inaugural Event for Concord250
Friday, April 14, 6-8 p.m.
Holy Family Church, First Universalist Meeting House Concord Townhouse and Monument Square
For the first time in 200 years, on April 14, 2023, Concord will publicly honor and celebrate the birth of one of its most inspirational daughters, Ellen Garrison! Ellen was born in Concord daughter of a self-emancipated man Jack Garrison and granddaughter of the formerly enslaved man and revolutionary soldier Ceasar Robbins. Just as her grandfather fought for freedom, Ellen worked as a teacher in the Freedman’s Schools and served as a powerful activist around local and national questions demanding civil rights for all people. Her work on the long struggle took her from Concord to Boston, Rhode Island, Maryland, Kansas, and finally Pasadena, California where she rests. Concord has a unique opportunity to bring this celebration to the very center of the town in a unique way on Friday evening April 14, 2023, the 200th anniversary of Ellen’s birth.
6- 7pm Holy Family Parish/First Universalist Church
A program of music and celebration that honors and teaches about the events that took place in this space in support of the work for the long struggle for Civil Rights that was so much a part of Ellen’s and her family ‘s life.
7pm -8pm Town House
A group procession from the steps Holy Family Parish/First Universalist Church to the grand public meeting space on the 2nd floor of the Town House . There invited guests will make brief remarks/announcements about ways the community is honoring Ellen and the Garrison family in celebration of this important anniversary. Music, poetry will be a part of this. Finally a time to visit and socialize with cake and refreshments for all those in attendance.
Battle Road
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Minute Man National Historical Park
This is the signature living history event at Minute Man National Historical Park, featuring hundreds of volunteer reenactors. Learn about the events of April 19, 1775 from many points of view through a full schedule of living history programs and demonstrations, including a fast-paced tactical demonstration along a restored stretch of the original Battle Road! Talk with volunteers portraying colonial civilians forced to leave their homes, minute men who answered the sudden call to arms, British soldiers fighting for king and country and Loyalists who saw the struggle differently from their neighbors. For the event schedule and other Information Click Here.
The Search of the Barrett Farm
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Colonel James Barrett House
1:30 – 4:30 pm
Visit the home of Colonel James Barrett and talk with costumed park rangers and volunteers about colonial military preparations.
Parking:
Barret House: 448 Barrett’s Mill Road
North Bridge Fight Commemoration
Monday, April 17, 2023
North Bridge, Concord
8:30 am
Commemorate Patriot’s Day with a dramatic tactical demonstration involving Colonial minute men, British regulars, and musket fire, marking the “shot heard round the world.”
Parking:
*Please note the roads in Concord close near 8:30 am and remain closed until the ceremony and parade conclude.
North Bridge Visitor Center: 174 Liberty Street, Concord, Ma
North Bridge Parking Lot: 280 Monument Street, Concord, Ma
Patriot’s Day Annual parade
Monday, April 17, 2023, 9 a.m.
The Patriots’ Day Parade goes forward rain, snow or muck and covers a route of approximately 2.5 miles. At the North Bridge a wreath-laying ceremony is held to commemorate the engagement between the Minuteman companies and British troops on April 19, 1775. The parade continues across the North Bridge and returns to Concord Center, with Dignitaries participating from neighboring towns, the State, the nation, and foreign countries with ties to Concord.
Patriots’ Day Minuteman Encampment
Monday, April 17, 2023
Concord Museum
10:30 a.m. -4 p.m.
Visit the brave Acton Minutemen company in an encampment outside the Concord Museum on Patriots’ Day and see them drilling with muskets to prepare for battle, cooking over a firepit, and demonstrating colonial spinning and sewing.
Patriot Vigil
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
North Bridge, Concord
7:45 pm
As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield we invite you to come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of the soldiers who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April.
*To participate in the lantern-light procession, please provide your own REAL candle lantern. The procession will begin at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord MA. From there we will march down the quarter-mile path to the North Bridge where the ceremony will take place. Participants are welcome to wear 18th century clothing if they choose, but please do not bring muskets.
Parking:
North Bridge Visitor Center: 174 Liberty Street, Concord, Ma
North Bridge Parking Lot: 280 Monument Street, Concord, Ma
Battle Road Anniversary Hike
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Meriam’s Corner, Concord
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
On April 19, 2022 Join National Park Rangers for an immersive 5-mile guided Battle Road trail hike. From Meriam’s Corner to Fiske Hill, follow in the footsteps of the ill-fated British column during the 248th anniversary of the Concord expedition. This experiential program will bring the stories of the battle road to life through guided interpretation and immersive Living History elements. Learn about the trials and triumphs of those who experienced the bloody events of April 19, 1775.
Program Logistics:
- Program begins at 12:00. Conclusion at approximately 5:00 p.m. at Fiske Hill in Lexington, Massachusetts. Once registered, participants will receive additional details in a confirmation email. (Registration coming SOON)
- This program is free of charge, although registration is required if you would like to reserve a limited seat on the post-program shuttle bus returning participants from Fiske Hill to Meriam’s Corner.
- Be advised this program will be an expansive hike over 5-miles of Battle Road Trail on undulating terrain. Sturdy walking shoes/ equipment, weather appropriate clothing, and water are recommended. Park comfort stations at Meriam’s Corner, Hartwell Tavern, and the Minute Man Visitor center will be open.
- Be advised bug spray is recommended
- Be advised this program will feature musket fire along with other immersive living history elements.
- Dogs are not permitted on this tour.
Parking:
Meriam’s Corner Lot: 751 Lexington Road, Concord, Ma.
