This summer, Minute Man National Historical Park will increase opportunities for visitors to explore some of the houses that witnessed the battle of April 19, 1775. The Wayside Home of Authors, Nathan Meriam House, and Colonel James Barrett house will be opened on a regular schedule from mid-July to mid-August. Hartwell Tavern will continue to be open through the end of October. These houses, all constructed in the early 1700's, have kept solemn watch over the landscape and each have a unique history associated with the events of April 19th 1775. How many will you visit?

There is no fee to visit the Witness Houses. Please read below or click here for more information on hours, parking, and accessibility.

Written by Neil Lynch, National Park Service volunteer and former park ranger at Minute Man National Historical Park

For many visitors, a trip to Minute Man National Historical Park is not complete without a souvenir. Perhaps it’s a photo taken at the North Bridge, a book on the events of April 19, 1775, or a special keepsake from the park store. By far, the most popular collectibles with countless visitors – and at no cost – are park's cancellation stamps, part of the National Park Service’s Passport Stamp Program. 

The Passport Stamp Program has proven wildly successful since it began in 1986, an essential of any park visit. The first words regularly heard by rangers and volunteers when someone enters the visitor centers are, “Where are the passport stamps?” 

Passport Stamp Program cancellations are similar to stamps that go into a regular passport and provide a dated record of national parks visited. At Minute Man, that can be one of several designs, depending on the location . . . Read more!

To learn more about the Passport Stamp Program and where to find them at Minute Man, click on the button below.

Written by Steven Neth, Museum Technician, and Nicole Walsh, Curator at Minute Man National Historical Park.

Recently, a 10-foot by 20-foot American flag belonging to the Lothrop family and housed in the Minute Man National Historical Park archives was conserved thanks to the fundraising efforts of Taryn Holmes, a high-school student and an active member of the Children of the American Revolution (CAR). Harriet Lothrop founded the CAR in 1895 and lived at The Wayside, The Home of Authors, for many years with her family.

The 37-star flag was displayed at least three patriotic events hosted by the Lothrop’s at The Wayside, between 1883-1904. The flag is made from wool bunting and consists of seven red stripes and six white stripes, sewn together with a rectangle of blue. It was made locally by the United States Bunting Company in Lowell, MA, on April 26, 1870.

So how to you conserve a gigantic flag? One section at a time! The conservator first surveyed the textile . . . Read More!

To learn about more about the flag, it's conservation, and Taryn Holmes please click the button below.

National Park Service: Junior Ranger River Booklet

Explore the Sudbury, Assabet & Concord Rivers and become a Junior River Ranger with this free National Park Service online booklet. Designed for kids ages 6-12. Click here to download the booklet.

Lexington Summer Concert Series

The Lexington free Summer Concert Series is hosted by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce every Friday in July and August from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm in Emery Park/Depot Square. Click here to learn more.

Riverfest 2023

Enjoy free hikes, paddles, walks, music, and family fun all summer in this annual celebration organized by the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council. Click here for more information and a full schedule of events.