Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
The Bedford Minuteman Company kicks off the region’s Patriots Day celebrations with its annual Pole Capping ceremony on Saturday, April 6.
It’s one of Bedford’s best ‘small town’ days, with companies of re-enactors arriving at dawn, gathering on Bedford Common, then marching to Willson Park to raise a Liberty Pole.
The parade steps off from Bedford Common at 10:30 am, but your family may want to arrive earlier to enjoy the Pancake Breakfast prepared at First Parish to benefit their Partner Church in Transylvania. It’s a great chance to break bread with someone channeling the 18th Century, alongside your neighbors.
Bedford’s annual Pole Capping is a great family event, and one for photographers as well. Click this link to see a photogravure collection of images from 2017 – bit.ly/2I1KDVD
The Bedford Police have shared important traffic information for Pole Capping Day, and on Thursday, April 4, additional parking regulations were added:
The location of the event will take place at Willson Park at the intersection of The Great Road, Concord Road and North Road. For the safety of the public, that intersection will be closed and traffic will be detoured around the event. The road closures are scheduled to start at 10:20 AM and will last until the end of the event (around 12pm). Click this link for alternate routes.
In addition to the normal overnight parking ban (1AM – 6AM) in accordance with the Town Traffic Rules and Regulations, there will be an extended no parking ban due to Pole Capping activities. The parking ban will extend from 6AM to 12PM on Saturday, April 6, 2019. The specific area this will be in effect will be on The Great Road from the South Road & Springs Road intersection to The Great Road at the Concord Road & North Road intersections. Please do not park on The Great Road in that area during these times. Your vehicle will be subject to removal via towing for the best interest of public safety.
Patriot’s Day Activities Around the Area
But it’s just the beginning of the Patriot’s Day events celebrating the start of the American Revolution. The Bedford Citizen thanks the Minuteman National Parks for this comprehensive list of Patriots Day activities, locally and in Boston.
Admission to all events is free except where noted. For more information, please call (978) 396-6993 or visit www.nps.gov/mima. Additional information is available at www.battleroad.org. Information on events in Lexington is available at https://www.lexingtonma.gov/committees/patriotsday.cfm.
Saturday, April 6th
Meriam’s Corner Exercise, 1 pm
737 Lexington Road, Meriam’s Corner, Concord
The Town of Concord, joined by area minute companies, fife and drum units, and the Concord Independent Battery, pay remembrance to the fight at Meriam’s Corner that marked the beginning of the six-hour running battle back to Boston.
Paul Revere Capture Ceremony, 3 pm
Paul Revere Capture Site, 200 North Great Road Lincoln
The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute.
Saturday, April 13
Visit Hartwell Tavern 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and
Visit the Captain William Smith House 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
136 North Great Road, Lincoln
National Park staff, Lincoln Minute Men, and living history volunteers will be demonstrating various aspects of life in Massachusetts at the beginning of the American Revolution.
Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster, 10 am
Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln
Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading, Massachusetts (portrayed by Park Volunteer, Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775.
Visit Whittemore House – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A Lexington
Visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children’s clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775.
1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps, 11:30 a.m., at the outdoor ampitheater
Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A, Lexington
Listen to military music of the American Revolution and get into the spirit of Patriots’ Day!
Caught in the Storm of War: Civilians of April 19, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Captain William Smith House, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln
What would you take with you if you had to leave your home in a hurry, uncertain of your return? Learn about the local civilians on April 19, 1775. Once the refugees leave the Smith house, you may encounter them along the Battle Road Trail heading towards Lexington and the Minute Man Visitor Center just prior the the Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration.
Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration” 1 pm –Arrive by 12:45
Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington
Hundreds of British and colonial Reenactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration with musket firing and fast-paced battle action along a stretch of the actual Battle Road of 1775. Park staff will be on hand to direct you to parking and viewing areas. We strongly suggest arriving prior to 12:45 p.m.
Junior Ranger Day at Minute Man National Historical Park
Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington., 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Earn your Junior Ranger Badge and pick up your very own Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:30 pm. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Sunday, April 14
Warlike Preparations: British Soldiers Search the Barrett House – 1 to 4 pm
Colonel James Barrett House, 448 Barrett’s Mill Road, Concord
In 1775, Colonel James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town, and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and learn about the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War. Around 3:00 p.m. British soldiers will arrive and conduct a search of the property, looking for arms and supplies.
Revolutionary Dogs: “Paws for the Cause!” – 2 pm
Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington
Join Park Ranger Roger Fuller for a walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America and in the Revolution. The 45-minute walk starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and is open to all. Your well-behaved, friendly dog on a leash is welcome too.
Monday, April 15 (Patriots’ Day observed)
Lexington Battle Reenactment, 5:30 a.m.
Lexington Green, Lexington.
British and Colonial reenactors stage a reenactment of the early-morning battle. Click this link for additional information
Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade
North Bridge, Concord
British reenactors will be joined by the Acton Minutemen and other local companies for a special commemoration of the North Bridge Fight featuring musket volleys. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 18
The Patriot Vigil
Lantern light procession: 7:50 p.m. (step off at North Bridge Visitor Center)
Ceremony at North Bridge: 8:00 – 8:45 p.m.
North Bridge, Concord
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 Patriots who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April. Please note, if you would like to participate in the procession, we ask you bring you own enclosed REAL candle lantern. (No flashlights or LED bulbs in the procession please.)
Friday, April 19
Dawn Salute, 6 am
North Bridge, Concord
The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21 gun musket and cannon salute.
Arrival of the Sudbury Militia, around 11:30 am
North Bridge, Concord
The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen will make their annual march to North Bridge from the Town of Sudbury, in honor of their fellow townsmen who made a similar march on April 19, 1775. They will fire three musket volleys from North Bridge as a soldierly salute.
Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard, around noon
North Bridge, Concord
The Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.
Saturday, April 20
After the Battle – The War Has Begun, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m
Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln
War between the people of Massachusetts and Governor Gage and the British regulars has just broken out. Thousands of men are preparing to leave home for the front lines around Boston. Whole communities are faced with numerous challenges demanded by this frightening new reality. Step back into the year of 1775 and get involved.
For general park information, please call 978-396-6993 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/MIMA.
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