Minuteman National Historical Park

Schools teach about the beginning of the American Revolution, but you can be where it actually happened, at Minuteman National Park outside Boston. You can see where Paul Revere was captured by British soldiers before he reached Concord. (He was released – without his horse – the next morning.)

You can walk or bike on the Battle Road, where in 1775 redcoats marched toward North Bridge and the shot heard ‘round the world. And you can see where the British regulars and colonial farmers with muskets fought during the hurried British retreat to Boston.

The Minuteman National Historical Park is the real thing -- almost 1,000 acres of American colonial and Revolutionary War history where it happened. The difference is that now park rangers will show you around and no one will be shooting at you. The rural, restored preserve straddles historic lands in the now upscale-suburban towns of Concord, Lincoln and Lexington some 25 miles west of Boston.

You can wander freely on self-guided explorations, but the rangers are friendly and knowledgeable and there’s no charge. If you happen on one of the frequent re-enactments, you’ll see and be able to talk with local people in historically accurate dress and weapons.   

A free and well-done 25-minute film, The Road to Revolution, is shown every half hour in the visitor's center. The Minute Man visitor’s center is open 9 to 5 daily and is at 250 North Great Rd. (Rt. 2A) in Lincoln. The park is open dawn to sunset. The visitor center is closed November to April and parking is free.

Check the web site, www.nps.gov/mima, for special park programs. But no matter what is being spotlighted when you visit, you’ll find a wealth of information on colonial and revolutionary New England. For example, militia training in sparsely populated colonial New England towns often became social events for everyone.

HelloBoston Tip: During the park’s frequent programs, you can visit Hartwell Tavern, along the Battle Road about a mile from the visitors’ center, as volunteer re-enactors sometimes stage military drills and musket-firing demonstrations alongside an 18th-century market fair. Most of the park is along Route 2A west of the I-95/Rt128 loop around Boston. Take Exit 30B off I-95 onto Rt. 2A west to reach the visitor center at 250 North Great Rd. in Lincoln, about a mile west of I-95. There are different names for Rt. 2A, depending on the town. In Lexington, it is called Marrett Road. In Lincoln, it is called North Great Road. In Concord, it is called Lexington Road. They’re all Rt. 2A.

- by Dan Sheridan, Boston Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Dan Sheridan

Dan Sheridan is an editor, reporter and media specialist with a background in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has reported from Tokyo, Singapore and Bangkok and wrote Access Boston, the popular guidebook, from 2002 to 2008.