The British Regular Army was one of the most powerful military forces in the world in the 18th century. But in the course of one fateful day, their luck changed. On April 19th, 1775, 750 soldiers set out on a grueling 40-mile march, and walked straight into a revolution. In Lexington and Concord, they fought […]
Calling all aspiring young Patriots and Redcoats! Lexington History Museums, in partnership with the Lexington Minute Men and His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot, welcome all willing participants for an interactive reenactment of the Battle of Lexington! Participants will be trained by members of the Lexington Minute Men or His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot […]
When most people—especially in Lexington—hear the name Henry Wadsworth Longfellow today, they probably think of his 1860 poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” But what about the man behind the famous verses? In his personal life, Longfellow was surrounded by people we would today consider members of the LGBTQ+ community, including friends, siblings, children, and grandchildren. For […]
This dramatic presentation, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. Across the colonies, and particularly in Massachusetts, towns debated what freedom meant to them, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in […]
Best known for his iconic painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, German-American artist Emanuel Leutze also painted other scenes of the American Revolution. One of these, The News of Lexington (1852), portrays local townsfolk receiving word of the battle that launched the Revolution. Recently conserved with support from the Wyeth Foundation of American Art, the painting […]
Local artist Kit Collins has been hard at work all summer beautifying the columns behind the Depot into a colorful mural of Lexington’s history past and present. Join LHM and the town for a ribbon cutting and special discussion with the artist to discover the stories represented in the art! Free!
Lexington History Museums’ special exhibition Swept Up in Revolution at Buckman Tavern follows the lives of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. How did a war for independence break out in a sleepy country town, and what were the consequences for the survivors once the smoke cleared? Join Lexington History Museums’ curator Jesse Hilton for […]
Stereotypes about the British military during the American Revolution are countless, and often contradictory. Did England possess the most professional fighting force in the world, or did they bumble through New England, clinging tightly to outdated tactics while shrewd farmers rewrote the rules around them? Historian Andrew O’Shaughnessy untangles this web by following several prominent […]
Before Lexington was Lexington, Indigenous communities have lived in this area for thousands of years. Today, we celebrate them with a free open house at the Lexington Depot to learn more about Native American culture. 9:00 - 10:00 AM, join science educator Fran Ludwig for a guided walk of the Lexington Paint Mine, a nature […]
Lexington was preparing for battle long before British soldiers arrived on April 19th, 1775. Paul Revere and William Dawes, fellow Sons of Liberty, rode hard from Boston, arriving in town just before midnight. Their destination: The home of Reverend Clarke. Their mission: To warn Patriot leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the impending British […]
Where is the Parker boulder? Is there a weathervane on the Belfry? What happened at the Harrington House? No matter how long you've lived in Lexington, there is still plenty for your kids to discover! Have them test their clue-solving and observation skills with a Revolutionary-themed scavenger hunt that takes them to sites around the […]
The Battle of Lexington reverberated far beyond the small town common that started a war. Ordinary citizens were swept up in a new revolution, navigating its politics and picking up the pieces left behind. Stop by Buckman Tavern to hear some of these perspectives. Chat with seasoned historical reenactors to dive deep into the history […]