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possess the most professional fighting force in the world, or did they bumble through New England, clinging tightly to outdated tactics while shrewd farmers rewrote the rules around them?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 […]
When the Battle of Lexington was fought in 1775, Hancock Street was a country lane with just two houses. The next 150 years saw many houses built with various architectural styles. Come take a stroll and learn about the Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival homes that populate the street today. Leaves from […]
Lexington has heroes in every century, as change-seekers have made their mark on the town. Through building community, working for social change, pioneering in their fields, and pursuing creative passions, Leading Lexingtonians keep Lexington on the map as a historic place. This lecture series highlights their accomplishments, which are also displayed on a rotating basis […]
Visit over three centuries of Lexington's past on a walking tour of the historic Old Burying Ground. From skulls and crossbones, to willow trees and urns, this is the perfect place to see the history of how our ancestors grappled with the concept of death through beautiful artwork. Discover how mortuary art has changed over […]
Celebrate Independence Day on Saturday, July 4 at 7:00 PM with Lexington History Museums at the Lexington Depot (13 Depot Square). This special event offers a moment of reflection and renewal on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in a community central to the Revolutionary story. The program will conclude […]