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Minute Man
National Historical Park
The events of April 19, 1775 were a turning point in the long struggle between Mother England and her American colonies. In a march of protest and petition turned independence and revolution, the fighting on April 19, 1775 would foreshadow the rebellious action of the American colonies to ultimately create a new nation, the United States of America.
Created in 1959, Minute Man National Historical Park preserves and protects the significant historic sites, structures, properties and landscapes associated with the opening battles of the American Revolution. Most importantly, Minute Man interprets the colonial struggle for natural rights and freedoms. Today, Minute Man consists of over 900 acres of land which wind along original segments of the Battle Road for April 19, 1775. In addition to the park's revolutionary significance, Minute Man preserves and interprets the 19th century literary revolution through The Wayside, home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott and Margaret Sidney.
1999 Special Events
1999 Ranger Programs
Visitation:
Highest in October and summer months; lowest in January and February.
Location:
Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington, MA
Address:
Headquarters:
Minute Man National Historical Park
174 Liberty Street
Concord, MA 01742
Telephone:
(978) 369-6993 or (781) 862-7753
E-mail Address:
mima_info@nps.gov (Park Information Request)
Operating hours: The grounds of Minute Man National Historical Park are open sunrise to sunset. Parking lot gate close promptly at sunset. Both the Minute Man and North Bridge Visitor Center are open year round except Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Minute Man Visitor Center: Open year round 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily. Reduced winter hours: November 1, 1999 - April 16, 2000, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hartwell Tavern: Open May 8, 1999 through October 31, 1999, seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily.
- The Wayside: Open May 8, 1999 through October 31, 1999, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., daily by guided tour. Closed Wednesdays. Admission charge for persons 17 & older; free with Golden Age, Access, or Eagle Passports.
- North Bridge Visitor Center: Open year round 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., daily. Reduced winter hours: November 1, 1999 - April 16, 2000, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Directions:
Twenty-two miles west of Boston. Exit 30B off of Interstate 95/Route128. Accessible from Routes 2, 2A, 126, 62, 95, 128 & Mass Pike. For information on "how to get here" from alternate routes, please see Destination Minute Man.
Facilities/Opportunities:
The Battle Road Unit follows the route of the 1775 Battle Road for over five miles from Lexington through Lincoln to Concord. This area has many newly opened features.
- Minute Man Visitor Center: Newly renovated center contains an all-new twenty-five minute multi-media show "Road to Revolution," exhibits, 40 x 15 foot battle mural and a bookstore, providing basic orientation of park to visitors. Visitors are encouraged to begin their tour of the park at this center.
- Battle Road Trail: The 5.5 mile, 11-mile round trip, trail connects historic sites with natural areas in the park. Visitors can follow the entire trail from Meriam's corner in Concord to Fiske Hill in Lexington, or visit portions of the trail. The trail can be accessed from a number of different parking areas off of Route 2A. Walk, bike or hike, the trail can be used by pedestrians, low-speed bikes, strollers and wheelchairs alike. Trail maps can be obtained at the visitor centers.
- Hartwell Tavern: Built in 1733, this restored home and tavern situated along the Battle Road provides a perfect setting for visitors to step back in time to April of 1775. Meet and speak with costumed interpreters and park living history volunteers, observe colonial living demonstrations and learn about the daily lives of those men and women who took part in the 1775 Revolutionary activities. Directions to the tavern may be obtained at park visitor centers.
The Wayside: Home of Authors: Incorportated into Minute Man National Historial Park in 1965 was once the home of Concord Authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Margaret Sidney. The Wayside Barn exhibits include: "The House, Its Authors, and the Creation of an American Literary Heritage." Guided tours of the house are available. For more information, visit the expanded Wayside web site.
The North Bridge: Located off of Monument Street Concord, the North Bridge area contains Daniel Chester French's Minute Man Statue, British Grave Site and 1836 Battle Monument.
The North Bridge Visitor Center: Park Headquarters, 174 Liberty Street, Concord. Visitor Center contains park and area information, ranger programs, diaromas, artifacts, muskets, uniformed mannequins, a twelve-minute video program "April Fire," and a bookstore.
Trails:
Minute Man National Historical Park consists of over 900 acres of land throughout the towns of Concord, Lincoln and Lexington, Massachusetts. Most of the park lies along Route 2A.
Battle Road Trail: 5.5-mile, 11-mile round-trip, multi-use.
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