In 1781, Elizabeth Freeman, known as “Mum Bett,” successfully sued for her freedom from the bonds of slavery in a pivotal case argued before the Massachusetts courts. That same year, Quock Walker also sued for his freedom and won. The winning argument in both cases was that slavery was unconstitutional under the Massachusetts Constitution. Lincoln resident Ron Chester, a professor at the New England School of Law, will discuss these cases and their importance on Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m. Email gagnea@lincolntown.org to sign up for this Zoom session.
March with the Lincoln Minute Men along Battle Road at 2:45 p.m. or meet at the capture site at 3 p.m. where Paul Revere’s ride ended in Lincoln. See Revere, Samuel Prescott, William Dawes, Mary Hartwell, Catharine Louisa Smith, and Major Mitchell tell the true story, despite poetic efforts by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to tell a different tale. Music and musket fire. For all ages.
- Evacuation scenario at the home of William and Catharine Louisa Smith, 9:30 a.m. – noon.
- Battle reenactment at Parker’s Revenge, MMNHP, noon–1 p.m.
- Battle of Tower Park, 1200 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 4 p.m.
Families prepare to evacuate their homes on April 19, 1775. Later, hundreds of British and Provincial soldiers recreate the running battle along the deadly stretch of road through Lincoln, from Elm Brook Hill to the Lexington border. Then both sides regroup to battle again at Tower Park in Lexington.
A Lincoln resident during the Revolutionary War reminisces about the fateful early hours of April 19, 1775. Capt. William Smith arrives on horseback to alarm the citizens of Lincoln. Bells ring, drums roll, and families say anxious goodbyes, as the Lincoln Minute Men assemble for musket drill and firing, and receive their orders to march.
The Lincoln Minute Men salute the Patriots buried in the Old Meeting House Burying Ground as they emerge from the mists for roll call. Fifers play a lament and the muskets fire a volley. Then join the Minute Men on their walk to Concord along Sandy Pond Road (three miles) amid colonial music and musket fire for the parade in Concord starting at 9 a.m. All ages welcome.
The Lincoln Minute Men host fife and drum groups from far and wide in a musical performance for your enjoyment. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chairs for rousing entertainment. In case of rain, see the Parks and Rec website.
March with the Lincoln Minute Men and British Regulars from Pierce House to the Old Burying Ground on Lexington Road to honor the Patriot dead and the five British soldiers killed in Lincoln along the Battle Road. Mary Hartwell and Catharine Louisa Smith tell their stories of burying British soldiers, an enslaved soldier tells how he gained his freedom, and a British mother laments the loss of her son. Ceremonies include music and musket salutes.
On Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. via Zoom, Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, will offer an overview of the history of the holiday and an exploration of the various ways Black communities have created traditions and cultivated the joy of emancipation and freedom. The program is free and open to all but advance registration is required. Sponsored by Belmont Public Library, Belmont Against Racism, Belmont Council on Aging, and the public libraries of Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Newton, Sherborn, and Wayland. The Lincoln Public Library’s portion of the program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.
The town is sponsoring two free vaccination clinics starting next week. Residents who want a Covid-19 vaccination may opt for the new bivalent booster or any of the previous vaccines.
- Flu vaccination clinic — Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1:00–3:45 p.m., Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.
- COVID vaccination clinic — Friday, Nov. 4 from 3–7 p.m. Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.
All are welcome to an outing of the Transcendentalist Running & Cycling Club led by Rev. Nate Klug of the First Parish in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 8–9 a.m. Runners and cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to join Nate for an hour of exercise, spirituality, and community. We’ll meet outside the church across from the library, stretch and say hello, and then hear a short passage of inspiration from one of the Transcendentalists. Then we’ll take off on a short run or bike ride through Lincoln. One person will lead the run, another person will lead the bike ride. After 40 minutes, we’ll meet back at the church to drink lemonade and reflect on what came up for us during our exercise.
There will be a memorial service for Robert “Bob” Lemire on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. at the First Parish Church in Lincoln. Lemire, who died in June at age 89, was active in local and national conservation groups and was founder of Lexia Learning.
For the animal lovers among us, drop by for a short and sweet, family-friendly “Blessing of the Animals” pet blessing service with First Parish in Lincoln co-minister Kit Novotny on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. The service will be held outside on the front lawn near the rainbow chairs, with guitar.
The town will offer a Covid-19 vaccination clinic to Lincoln seniors age 60+ on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the First Parish Church auditorium across from Bemis Hall. This is a Pfizer bivalent vaccine, meaning it works against both the delta and omicron variants of the virus. Preregistration is required; click here to register. Please do not book an appointment between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m., as these slots have been set aside for Lincoln Public School teachers. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email from “Color,” our booking software. Please forward your confirmation email to butta@lincolntown.org so we know how many will be attending the clinic. If you need transportation to the clinic, please contact Carlee Castetter, Transportation Coordinator, at 781-259-8811 or castetterc@lincolntown.org.
Join Nate Klug, co-minister of the First Parish in Lincoln, for a beer or soda at the monthly “Theology on Tap” discussion on Friday, Oct. 28 from 4:30–6 p.m. at the Tack Room. The month’s topic: “What is a saint?” Just in time for Halloween (All Hallows Eve) and All Saints/All Souls Day, we’ll review some of the wildly various notions of sainthood that different religions have put forward over time. What did Martin Luther mean when he said that everyone was “equally saint and sinner”? Who do you think of as a saint in your life – and why? No sainthood required to join the discussion, just a thirsty spirit!
The town is sponsoring two free vaccination clinics starting next week. Residents who want a Covid-19 vaccination may opt for the new bivalent booster or any of the previous vaccines.
- Flu vaccination clinic — Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1:00–3:45 p.m., Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.
- COVID vaccination clinic — Friday, Nov. 4 from 3–7 p.m. Reed Gym, Lincoln School. Register here.
There will be a Covid-19 vaccination clinic sponsored by the Town of Lincoln/Great Meadows Regional Public Health Collaborative on Friday, Nov. 18 from 4–7 p.m. in the Brooks gym at the Lincoln School. Primary and booster doses for those 6 months and older will be offered. According to the CDC, everyone 5 years and older should get an updated booster if they have completed their primary series, and if it has been at least two months since their final primary dose or last booster. Register online by clicking here. For assistance, call 978-793-5663 or email duffL@sudbury.ma.us.
The Lincoln Public Library will present virtual events hosted by the Tewksbury Public Library in collaboration with several Massachusetts libraries. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Library. Advance registration required. Details and registration.