Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts, protects the historic ground near Lexington and Concord, MA where the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought.
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Our Visit. I visited Minute Man NHP while on a business trip to Boston, MA in May.
“In Medford, I awakened the Captain of the Minute Men; and after that, I alarmed almost every house ’til I got to Lexington.” -Paul Revere
North Bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired (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 pilgrimage 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.
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 occurred 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.
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)
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
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- 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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- North Bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired (May)
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- Minute Man statue stands vigil near North Bridge at sunset (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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