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 form up on the Town Green, in front of the Unitarian Church. The VIP guests assemble at the Fitch Tavern. This 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, the VIPs 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 doesn’t cooperate.

Learn more about this tradition at bedfordminutemen.org

Photo courtesy of the Bedford Minuteman Company