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PRODID:-//Freedom's Way National Heritage Area - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://freedomsway.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
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DTSTART:20220101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250419T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250419T200000
DTSTAMP:20250326T160329Z
CREATED:20250318T151039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T160329Z
UID:27107-1745087400-1745092800@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Westford Rev 250: Patriot’s Day Candlelight Tour at Westlawn Cemetery with Dedication by Col. Johnson Robinson Chapter\, DAR
DESCRIPTION:We invite you to attend the Patriot’s Day Candlelight Tribute at Westlawn Cemetery on April 19! It’s an incredible opportunity to honor the brave men from Westford who served during the American Revolution. This year\, we’re offering a unique experience with a self-guided stroll through the cemetery\, allowing you to access the service records of our Revolutionary War Patriots right from your phone or tablet. It’s a great way to connect with history in a personal way! You’ll also have the chance to engage with colonial interpreters who will be stationed throughout the illuminated grounds\, ready to answer any questions you may have. \nGuest parking will be available on the Country Roadside of Westlawn Cemetery for your convenience. \nAmong those we honor is the esteemed Colonel John Robinson (1735-1805)\, Westford’s highest-ranking officer from the Revolutionary War. His legacy is marked by the prominent slate marker that stands proudly in the cemetery. Robinson was not just a military leader; he served as a town selectman and was a courageous commander who led three Westford Minutemen companies to the North Bridge in Concord on that fateful morning of April 19\, 1775. It was here that his men bravely confronted British regulars\, firing what would become known as “the shot heard ’round the world.” Colonel Robinson also fought alongside many of these men at the Battle of Bunker Hill\, showcasing his valor and commitment to our freedom. \nThe cemetery is steeped in history\, located at the intersection of Concord and Country roads. Originally\, this land belonged to Deacon Joshua Fletcher\, one of Westford’s first taxpayers. After his daughter married Samuel Parker\, the property eventually passed to Nathan Proctor\, who generously donated what was then called West Burying Ground to the town. When Westford formally took over the cemetery’s care in 1761\, many founding citizens found their final resting place there\, making it a significant site of remembrance \nColonel Robinson is interred alongside 18 of his fellow Revolutionary War veterans. In 1902\, the Sons of the American Revolution paid homage to their sacrifices by placing iron Maltese crosses on their graves. \nExcitingly\, in 2025 our nation will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War! As part of this momentous occasion\, the Westford Museum and Historical Society will explore our history during this pivotal era in American history. We encourage you to engage with us as we shine a light on Westford’s unique contributions and stories from the American Revolution. \n\n		\n			\n				\n			\n			\n		 \n		\n			This event explores our region’s revolutionary past! Learn about Freedom’s Way 250 and discover the many ways the Heritage Area and its partners are commemorating and celebrating our nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/patriots-day-candlelight-tour-at-westlawn-cemetery-with-dedication-by-col-johnson-robinson-chapter-daughters-of-the-american-revolution/
LOCATION:Westlawn Cemetery\, Concord & Country Road\, Westford\, MA\, 01886\, United States
CATEGORIES:Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/westford-historical-society_patriots-day-candlelight-tribute.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230419T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230419T200000
DTSTAMP:20230329T161011Z
CREATED:20230324T173403Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230329T161011Z
UID:17405-1681930800-1681934400@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Patriots Day (April 19th) Candlelight Tribute at Westlawn Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Join us while the sun sets for our Patriots Day (April 19th) Candlelight Tribute at Westlawn Cemetery. In this unique self-guided stroll\, you can access the service records of Westford’s Revolutionary War Patriots on your phone or tablet. There will be colonial interpreters to answer your questions stationed throughout the illuminated cemetery. \nThis triangular burial place at the fork of Concord and Country roads was originally on land belonging to Deacon Joshua Fletcher\, one of the town’s original 89 taxpayers. His daughter married Samuel Parker\, who inherited it when the Deacon died in 1736. Parker sold the land to Nathan Proctor (1698-1788)\, who donated what was then called West Burying Ground to the town. When Westford assumed care of West cemetery in 1761\, many of its founding citizens had been interred here. \nThe most distinguished citizen buried here is Colonel John Robinson (1735-1805) Westford’s highest ranking Revolutionary War officer\, who has the largest slate marker in the cemetery. Robinson was also a town selectman who led three companies of Westford Minutemen to the North Bridge in Concord on the morning of April 19\, 1775\, where his men engaged the British regulars and fired “the shot heard ‘round the world.” Colonel Robinson also fought alongside many of these men at the Battle of Bunker Hill\, where he comported himself with courage and honor. West Burying Ground was nearly named after Colonel Robinson in 1895\, but residents instead chose the name Westlawn. The town did rename the road where he had lived less than a mile away\, and the school on that road\, in his honor. \nColonel Robinson joins with 15 other Revolutionary War veterans\, many of whom served with him\, whose graves are marked by iron Maltese crosses placed by the Sons of the American Revolution in 1902. \nSuggested Donation: $10 per person \nPhoto courtesy of the Westford Historical Society & Museum
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/patriots-day-april-19th-candlelight-tribute-at-westlawn-cemetery/
LOCATION:Westlawn Cemetery\, Concord & Country Road\, Westford\, MA\, 01886\, United States
CATEGORIES:Living History,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/westlawn-Graves-scaled-1.jpg
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