The Lincoln Minute Men invite residents to join in the following events around Patriots Day.
Saturday, April 9
The Capture of Paul Revere
2:45 p.m. — Minute Man National Historical Park Visitors Center (250 N. Great Road, Lincoln)
3 p.m. — Capture Site
March behind the Lincoln Minute Men (LMM) down Battle Road or join us at the capture site where Paul Revere’s ride ended here in Lincoln. See Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell and Major Mitchell tell the true story, despite poetic efforts by special guest Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music and musket fire. For all ages.
Tuesday, April 12
Lecture: “Lincoln’s Minute Men after April 19, 1775”
7:30 p.m., Bemis Hall (15 Bedford Rd., Lincoln)
Rick Wiggin, LMM historian and author of Embattled Farmers, will trace the journey of Lincoln men who fought at North Bridge, from the Siege of Boston through the Revolution to their lives in the new republic.
Saturday, April 16
Battle Road: Captain Smith, Parker’s Revenge, Tower Park
9:30 a.m. to noon — The LMM interpret the home of William Smith and his wife Catharine Louisa.
2 p.m. — Parker’s Revenge Battle, behind Visitors Center
4 p.m. — Battle of Tower Park (1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington).
The LMM inhabit the 1775 home of their first captain. Later, hundreds of British and Colonial soldiers recreate the running battle along the deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. Then both sides regroup to battle at Tower Park in Lexington.
Sunday, April 17
Lincoln Salute: Festival of 18th-Century Fife and Drum Music
2-3:30 p.m. — Pierce Park (17 Weston Rd., Lincoln)
The LMM host fife and drum groups from as far away as Michigan in a musical performance. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment.
Sunday, April 17
Alarm and Muster
7 p.m., library lawn opposite First Parish Church (3 Bedford Rd., Lincoln)
An ancient Revolutionary War veteran reminisces about those fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith rides down the hill to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll and the LMM fall in on the steps of the meeting house to receive their orders to defend Concord. Then march with the LMM to Pierce House for a firing demonstration.
Monday, April 18
Dawn tribute and march to the Concord parade
6:45 a.m., outside Bemis Hall (15 Bedford Rd., Lincoln)
9 a.m., Concord parade
The LMM salute the patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Cemetery as they emerge from the mists of the burial ground for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the LMM on their walk to Concord (three miles) amid colonial music and musket fire. There will be bus transportation across Route 2 courtesy of Doherty’s Garage. All ages welcome.
Sunday, April 24
Old Burial Ground tribute
2:30 p.m. — Pierce House (17 Weston Rd., Lincoln)
March with the LMM and the Regulars from Pierce House to the Old Burial Ground on Lexington Road to honor the patriot dead and five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Hear Mary Hartwell tell her story of their burial. Ceremonies include music and musket salutes by both sides. A reception follows at Pierce House at 4 p.m. courtesy of the Lincoln Historical Society.
For a full description of events in Lincoln and surrounding towns, see www.battleroad.org or www.lincolnminutemen.org.
2016 is the 50th anniversary of the recreation of the minute men of Lincoln. Help us celebrate by coming to our events this month. Think about joining our group! We do this to educate the public about our history and to honor those who came before us. In addition to the events listed above, we are participating in Lincoln’s community fair on Saturday, April 30 (raindate next day). We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks.