Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

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0 Lexington VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

The peaceful prosperity of the modern-day suburb Practical Information
of Lexington belies its role in the birth of American n 1875 Massachusetts Ave.
independence. On the village common at dawn on April 19, (781) 862-1450. _ Patriots Day
(Apr). ∑ lexingtonchamber.
1775, British regulars and Colonial militia exchanged shots. org
The skirmish proved to be the opening salvo of the American Transport
Revolution, and Lexington Battle Green has been hallowed k Boston.
ground for Americans ever since. Many visitors like to bicycle
the 5.5 miles (9 km) from Alewife “T” station in Cambridge
along the Minuteman Bikeway, which roughly parallels Revere undertook
his “midnight ride”
the British route on their march to Lexington.
to Hancock-Clarke
House to warn patriots
P Lexington Samuel Adams and
Battle Green John Hancock, two
Tranquil churches of the signatories to
surround the leafy green the Declaration of
where, each year in April, Independence, of the
historic re-enactors approaching British
re-create the Battle of (see p23). Munroe Tavern
Lexington. The rest of was a headquarters for
the year, a statue of a British forces. All display
Massachusetts militia artifacts from the
man erected in 1900 Historic re-enactor Revolutionary era.
recalls the event, as do
the graves of seven of the E Scottish Rite Masonic
eight colonial casualties. Museum & Library
Minute Man Bikeway, part of the Minute 33 Marrett Rd. (at intersection of Rte 2A
Man National Historical Park P Historical Society Houses and Massachusetts Ave.) Tel (781) 861-
Hancock-Clarke House: 36 Hancock St; 6559. Open 10am–4:30pm Wed–Sat.
} Minute Man National Buckman Tavern: 1 Bedford St; Closed Jan 1, Thanks giving, Dec 24–25.
Historical Park – Minute Munroe Tavern: 1332 Massachusetts ∑ srmml.org
Man Visitor Center Ave; Tel (781) 862-1703. Open call for This museum tells the story
Rte 2A. Tel (781) 674-1920. Open Apr– seasonal opening hours. & 8 of the Freemasons in the
Oct: 9am–5pm daily; Nov–Mar: 11am– ∑ lexingtonhistory.org context of American history,
3pm Tue–Sat. ∑ nps.gov/mima These three structures all serving as the “historical
This 990-acre (400-ha) park, played a role in the events of society” of American
with access from both Concord April 19, 1775 (now known as Freemasonry. Among its
(see pp118–120) and Lexington, Patriots Day). Buckman Tavern prized artifacts is a copy of
preserves the site and inter- served as the meeting place the Lexington Alarm, a broad-
prets the story of the first for the Massachusetts militia side detailing the events at
battles of the American before the confrontation and Lexington and calling on
Revolution. It explains that as a makeshift hospital for their American colonists to revolt
British forces were seeking to wounded. Bostonian Paul against the British Crown.
uncover colonial munitions
hidden in the countryside, and
how both Massachusetts militia
and citizen-soldiers, known as
Minute Men, managed to rout
the British regulars. The Visitor
Center features a massive
battle mural and a 22-minute
multimedia show, Road to
Revolution. A significant portion
of the national park runs along
the five-mile (8-km) Battle Road
Trail. This is the path that was
followed by British forces as
they advanced from Lexington
and marched on to Concord –
the same route the forces
took in retreat. Buckman Tavern, where militia met to plan their revolt against British forces

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