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.
- Week of April 18–22 — Individuals and groups are encouraged to self-organize cleanups. Trash bags will be available for pickup in advance, as well as drop-off locations.
- Friday, April 22 — Conservation staff will lead two group cleanups from 10 a.m.–noon. At 1 p.m., we’ll gather at Lincoln Station for a celebration with local groups, including Farrington Nature Linc. Enjoy family-friendly activities, treats, information about Earth Day, climate change, and more. Each participating group/household will receive a free Earth Day Serviceberry Seedling at the celebration while supplies last. Our hope is to have community members sharing their cleanup efforts and Earth Day messages on the OuterSpatial app. Please complete this form if you’d like to participate so we can provide support, supplies, and more details as the event approaches.
- Week of April 18–22 — Individuals and groups are encouraged to self-organize cleanups. Trash bags will be available for pickup in advance, as well as drop-off locations.
- Friday, April 22 — Conservation staff will lead two group cleanups from 10 a.m.–noon. At 1 p.m., we’ll gather at Lincoln Station for a celebration with local groups, including Farrington Nature Linc. Enjoy family-friendly activities, treats, information about Earth Day, climate change, and more. Each participating group/household will receive a free Earth Day Serviceberry Seedling at the celebration while supplies last. Our hope is to have community members sharing their cleanup efforts and Earth Day messages on the OuterSpatial app. Please complete this form if you’d like to participate so we can provide support, supplies, and more details as the event approaches.
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.
The Lincoln School’s eighth-graders are getting ready to graduate. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to have dances or bake sales again this year, which are the usual sources of funds, so they need to do some serious fundraising to support the cost of the graduation celebration and the traditional class gift to the school. They will hold a car wash on Saturday, May 21 at the Town Hall from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (rain date: May 22). Click here to purchase a ticket ($20) and/or make a donation. This is their one opportunity to raise the needed funds, so please consider making a donation. This cohort has been particularly impacted by COVID, missing out on all the major middle school field trips, dances, and many enrichment activities, so we really hope to make this an extra-special graduation.
Gather on the grass for a benefit for St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln & Weston (SVdP) featuring music by Brian Moll, Mara Bonde & Sandra Piques Eddy, and the Kemp Harris Band on Tuesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. in Pierce Park (rain date: May 25). Bring your own chair, drinks, and picnic. Suggested donation: $50 (or more). Buy raffle tickets for great prizes. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email svdplincolnweston@gmail.com. The Ogden Codman Trust is challenging SVdP to raise $15,000, which it will match. Help support the SVdP’s work running the food pantry, providing emergency financial assistance and awarding scholarships.
Sign up for the annual Susan McDaniel 5K Run for Love sponsored by the Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding program in Lincoln on Sunday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Weston Town Hall. There will be a “diaper dash” and a kids’ run as well. There will be horses, balloons, games and items for sale.
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 Lincoln Garden Club’s Roaring 2022 Prohibition Party fundraiser extravaganza takes place on Friday, June 17 from 6-9 p.m. in the Pierce House tent. Fine hors d’ oeuvres and wine, along with two signature cocktails (“hooker’s lips” highballs and chocolate mint mojitos) will be served. Lincoln resident Nicholas Ribush will be performing with his 1920s brass band along with Amy Kucharik, who will sing naughty flapper songs. The Minuteman Model A Club of Sudbury will also be on hand with eight of their 1920s cars to provide ambience and beautiful photo backdrops as guests arrive.
This is not a costume party but the dress code is “cocktail glam,” so bring out the shimmer, sparkle and shine! No password required at the door at this speakeasy, but you must show your vaccine card with three or four shots. Tickets are $55 and must be purchased in advance. All proceeds will go towards maintaining Lincoln’s Station Park as well as towards many other community service projects stewarded by the Garden Club. Questions? Call Joanna Schmergel at 617-645-9059.
Farrington Nature Linc invites everyone to their adults-only outdoor summer fundraiser with dinner, drinks, live music, and an auction of outdoor adventures on Saturday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. All funds raised from this event will go toward FNL’s summer youth programs. Purchase individual tickets ($100), tables of four ($350), or tables of 10 ($900). Individual ticket-holders may be seated with others to make a table of four. Click here for details and to buy tickets.
St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thursday, July 21 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or sign up online at redcrossblood.org using the sponsor code STANNEITF. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.
LincFam presents a family concert to benefit the SVdP Lincoln and Weston Food Pantry on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 3:30–5 p.m. on the Pierce House lawn. Bring chairs and blankets to a concert by songwriter and Lincoln parent Kat Chapman and enjoy offerings from Chillwagon Ice Cream. Suggested donation: $20 per car/family, and food items are welcome. All proceeds benefit the food pantry.