Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts
The Monument Minute Man National Historical Park
protects the historic ground near Lexington and Concord, MA where the first major battle
of the American Revolutionary War was fought.
Our Visit I visited Minute Man NHP while on a business trip to Boston, MA
in May.
Our Weather Clear with a temperature in the mid 60s
Overall Impression Minute Man NHP is a "must see" for history buffs
and a great pilgramage for families with school kids. Every kid in the US learns about
"the shot heard round the world," and this park is a great way to experience it.
This whole area is rich with history, and the NPS has done a good job of preserving some
of the most historic places around North Bridge where the first shots were fired on April
19th, 1775 and the first few miles of "Battle Road" where the colonist
militiamen pushed the British back through Boston. Also included in the park are several
Revolutionary-era cabins and the spot where Paul Revere, the most famous of the midnight
riders, was captured.
North Bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired (May)
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Visiting Plan on spending at least 2-3 hours in this small park, though there's
enough to do to justify an entire day. This is not a park to hurry through--it's better
enjoyed when you can stop and imagine what occured in this very place more than two
centuries ago. The park is split into multiple units, so you'll need to do some driving to
hit all of them. If you only have an hour, spend it at North Bridge near Concord.
This area is home to the bridge (rebuilt over time), the Minute Man statue and a cabin
(Old Manse) which was later home to some famous authors.
On a longer visit, spend some time walking the trail along Battle Road. While
the road is still in its original position, the once rural farmland is now a thick wood.
Much of the trail is near the highway, so vehicle access is easy, but the area near Bloody
Angle still offers some solitude. While driving through the park, take a moment to
stand in the circle at the Paul Revere Capture Site and read all the signs you find
near the historic cabins. If time permits, complete your tour in Lexington at the Visitors
Center near the Battle Green.
Nearby Towns Concord, Lexington, Bedford, Boston (Massachusetts)
Other Nearby Attractions Emerson House, Walden Pond
Official NPS Website Minute
Man NHP
Photos
Click on thumbnails to view larger image
The area around North Bridge is peaceful. This is the Concord River as seen from the
bridge. The structure is part of the Old Manse cabin (May)
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Part of the circle marking the spot where Paul Revere was captured, ending his famous
midnight ride warning the colonists "the British are coming" (May)
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The many stone walls in the park have marked the edges of fields for centuries, though the
farmland has become quite wooded (May)
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This is "Bloody Angle" in the center of the park where militiamen staged a
particularly effective ambush of the retreating British. Small markers and British flags
placed by visitors mark many areas where fallen British troops were buried (May)
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Minute Man statue stands vigil near North Bridge at sunset (May)
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