Annually, on a Saturday in early April, the Bedford Minuteman Company and Minuteman Companies from the area converge on Willson Park in Bedford to commemorate the spirit and courage of the patriots who sparked the American Revolution.

The Liberty Pole Capping and Raising is a reenactment of a practice in Colonial America signifying dissatisfaction with varied rulings and conduct of the English government of that date.  It is meant to be commemorative of the spirit of liberty exemplified by Bedfordians and other colonials in the early phases of the War for Independence.

The Colonial units from the surrounding area park and unload in the parking area in front of the Bedford High School (9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730) and then form up on the Town Green, in front of the First Parish Unitarian Church (75 Great Road, Bedford, MA 01730).

The Town of Bedford Dignitaries assemble, on the sidewalk, in front of the Fitch Tavern (12 Great Road, Bedford, MA 01730). The Fitch Tavern is the place where the original Bedford Minutemen assembled on the morning of April 19th, 1775. After the colonial units pass the Fitch Tavern, on their way to Willson Park (2 Concord Road, Bedford, MA 01730), the Dignitaries and the Bedford Minutemen follow with the pole.  After a few words, the pole is erected and capped, and hopefully this will not attract the attention of any British patrols.  This takes about forty-five minutes or less if the weather cooperates.

For more information visit the Bedford Minutemen website.

Photo courtesy of the Bedford Minuteman Company