Patriots’ Day 2024 Lexington Schedule: Saturday, April 13th

Specifically Timed Events:

Parker’s Revenge (Part 1)

Parker’s Revenge was a skirmish that took place on the redcoats’ way back from Concord. This part one of the event will take place at 9 am on Lexington Battle Green. I believe this difference is that this is them assembling, and there will be additional dialogue from the perspective of Jonas Clarke. I do not know for certain. However, this should be fun for history lovers of all ages!

Time: 9:00 am (~1 hour long)

Location: Lexington Battle Green (Lexington Visitors’ Center for GPS)

Cost: Free!

Audience: History lovers 3+

Third US Infantry Regiment, Old Guard/CINC Guard:

Demonstration on how muskets and other colonial weapons work! If you’re into how bayonets work, check it out!
Time: 1:00 pm

Location: Tower Park (Mass Ave. between Pelham Road and Marrett Road). For GPS, the Scottish Rite Museum is a great address, which also has some historic Lexingtonian artifacts.

Cost: Free!

Audience: History lovers ~9+

Parker’s Revenge Wreath Laying Ceremony

The Lexington Minute Men will be placing a wreath at the location of the Parker’s Revenge skirmish to honor Nathaniel Wyman and Jedediah Monroe, two members of Parker’s militia who lost their lives that afternoon. This will be a great event to attend for die hard history lovers, and something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon.

Time: 1:00 pm

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park (on the Battle Road Trail, off of Airport Road, near the Minute Man National Park Visitor’s Center)

Cost: Free!

Audience: History lovers ~9+. There will be a lot of standing and it might not be as exciting as the reenactment, but it’s still an important event!

Parker’s Revenge (Part 2)

Guys, gals, and non-binary pals it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for (on Saturday): the Parker’s Revenge reenactment. The Lexington Minute Men reenact the Parker’s Revenge skirmish, which took place on the afternoon of April 19th. Under the leadership of Captain John Parker, the Lexington Militia Company ambushed the retreating British soldiers near the boundary between Lexington and Lincoln.

Time: 1:00 pm (expect to take about an hour and a half)

Location: Minute Man National Historical Park (on the Battle Road Trail, off of Airport Road, near the Minute Man National Park Visitor’s Center)

Cost: Free!

Audience: History lovers ~5+! This might be overwhelming to some history nerds, because of the loud and sudden noises from muskets. I’ve been to this event many times, and it’s very fun to watch!

Tower Park Reenactment

Follow the British retreat as they fight the Colonial Militia in Tower Park, featuring a working reproduction cannon. Organized by the Lexington Minute Men.

Time: 4:00 pm (expect to take ~45 min)

Location:  Tower Park (Mass Ave. between Pelham Road and Marrett Road). For GPS, the Scottish Rite Museum is a great address, which also has some historic Lexingtonian artifacts.

Cost: Free!

Audience: History lovers ~5+! This might be overwhelming to some history nerds, because of the loud and sudden noises from muskets. I’m super excited, and hope to see you there!

William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps performance

A traditional fife and drum corps based in Lexington, Massachusetts that is also the largest junior fife and drum corps in New England.

Time: 2:30

Location: Tower Park (Mass Ave. between Pelham Road and Marrett Road). For GPS, the Scottish Rite Museum is a great address, which also has some historic Lexingtonian artifacts.

Cost: Free!

Audience: All history and music lovers! Great to hear some traditional music.

Family Movie Night

Join the Lexington Historical Society for a night of colonial cinematic fun! Watch Disney’s 1957 adaptation of the classic book Johnny Tremain, which follows the adventures of a young patriot as he joins the Sons of Liberty and takes part in historical events.

Time: 7-8:30

Location: 13 Depot Square.

Cost: Adults $10, Kids 6 and under $5, kids 5 and younger are free. Get tickets. 

Audience: All history lovers and movie watchers!

All Day Events

Buckman Tavern

If you know me, then you’ve probably run into me at Buckman Tavern before. They have a brand new exhibit which just went on display last Thursday. Check it out, while you get a refresher to your colonist roots! Buckman Tavern was the meeting place for the Lexington Militia on April 19th, 1775. It also was the first post office, and was a meeting place for the people in town.

Time: 9:30 am-4:00 pm

Location: Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford Street

Cost: (Only Buckman Tavern) Adults $14, Kids $8 (Hancock Clarke House, Buckman Tavern, and Munroe Tavern) Adults $28, Kids $14

Age: ~5+. It’s great because it’s self paced, and there are many activities. Might be a bit long, but it’s easy to skip around more than other houses.

Hancock-Clarke House

One of few places my love for history started. The Hancock-Clarke house was home to John Hancock’s grandparents, then later on the Clarke family, which included Jonas Clarke (you can listen to his playlist here), the Reverend in 1775 Lexington. This was also the home where John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying the night of April 18th, 1775, and where Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to.

Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Location: Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street

Cost: (Only Hancock-Clarke House) Adults $14, Kids $8 (Hancock-Clarke House, Buckman Tavern, and Munroe Tavern) Adults $28, Kids $14

Age: ~7+. I love this house specifically for its kid centered nature, because this is where the most important kids in the town lived.

Munroe Tavern

Munroe Tavern was another tavern in Lexington, which later on turned into the field house for British soldiers on April 19th, 1775. George Washington and other important people came to stay at the Tavern throughout the colonial years. I love this house, and it gives the Parliament point of view.

Time: 12:00 pm -4:00 pm

Location: Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street

Cost: (Only Munroe Tavern) Adults $14, Kids $8 (Hancock-Clarke House, Buckman Tavern, and Munroe Tavern) Adults $28, Kids $14

Age: ~7+. I love this house for the gained perspective and for the added museum.

Liberty Ride Guided Trolley Tour

Visit the birthplaces of American liberty and 19th century literature! Board a classic trolley to ride along the historic Battle Road while your attired guide recounts the exciting events of April 19, 1775, immersing you in the life of 18th and 19th century Americans, from farmers to literary giants to the heroes who would shape a new country.

Time: 9:00 am -4:00pm

Tours can be booked online or in-person at the Lexington Visitor’s Center (1875 Massachusetts Ave).

Battle Green Walking Tour

On the one-hour tour, you will explore this National Historic Landmark with our costumed guide. You will learn about the notable sites and historic houses around Lexington Battle Green, where “the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain,” as George Washington wrote in his diary. It is considered consecrated ground, both for the blood that was shed on it and for the militiamen who are interred here.

Time: 9:00 am -4:00pm

Tours can be booked online or in-person at the Lexington Visitor’s Center (1875 Massachusetts Ave).

We hope you enjoy your first day of colonial festivities, and we will see you around!