Vacationing in Lexington, MA
When the Redcoats arrived on Lexington Green on April 19,1775, they clearly were not there on vacation. But vacationing in Lexington today allows you to retrace the steps of the British troops and stand where the Lexington Minute Men grouped together in defense of their town and their way of life. The trip to Lexington in 1775 was a tedious all night march, but today vacationing in Lexington means only a 12 mile drive from Boston. Today vacationing in Lexington can mean both reliving the past and enjoying the present . These Lexington attractions will add to your vacationing pleasure.
Lexington Green Any red blooded American vacationing in Lexington will feel drawn to Lexington Green just like the first patriots were in 1775. But before going to the Green, it is well worth your time to stop by the Lexington Visitor’s Center at 1875 Massachusetts Ave., in Lexington, MA Time spent there first will help to orient you for the rest of your time spent vacationing in Lexington. The Visitors Center displays an exciting diorama of what the opening moments of the American revolution really looked like. Of course looking at the diorama will make you even more anxious to see the real thing . Lexington Green is a town common on which to wander about, view the monuments and to use your imagination to put yourself back in the shoes of our forefathers.
Long anticipated, the confrontation of British Regulars and American volunteer militiamen finally occurred on the Green in Lexington. The contest was hardly a fair fight. Approximately 800 British troops approached the central common but found themselves confronted by some 50 shabbily attired, but determined minute men. Despite the disparity of forces the Americans appeared not to be intimidated but instead held their ground. After a British order to the Americans to clear the way and return to their homes was ignored, the British opened fire. The colonists broke ranks and the British marched on to Concord leaving behind 8 dead and 10 wounded American revolutionaries. Those vacationing in Lexington can’t help but feel the history of this small but famous piece of property. Walking, sitting, standing, looking, its hard to get enough of this physical connection to our American beginnings.
Historic Buildings There are three historic building in Lexington which can reinforce the feeling of the past.. The Buckman Tavern had been standing in Lexington since a little after the turn of the 18th Century. Frequented by patriots prior to the beginning of the American Revolution the Buckman Tavern was being used as a meeting place by the Lexington militia just as British soldiers were setting out on their march to Lexington. The militia meeting was interrupted by the arrival at the tavern of Paul Revere and William Dawes who brought clear warning of the approach of the dreaded British forces. Today’s tavern is open for inspection by those vacationing in Lexington, MA and is decorated with obvious attention to historical detail.
When the British set out for Lexington and Concord they were not merely on a mission to seize colonial munition stores. They also were hoping to capture several prominent revolutionary leaders. When Revere and Dawes arrived in Lexington they sought out Sam Adams and John Hancock so that they might make their escape before the British arrival. Adams and Hancock were staying with friends and relatives at what is today called the Hancock – Clarke house but quickly departed upon being warned. Today the house memorializes those brave patriots, those who warned them and the militia that effectively rose in their defense. The Hancock-Clarke House has a provocative display of Revolutionary War memorabilia including the drum that was used to summon the Lexington Minute Men to action on April 19, 1775.
Also opened to those vacationing in Lexington, MA is the Munroe Tavern. This tavern provides some representation of the British side of the first battle of the American Revolution. The Munroe Tavern lies out a mile away from the Lexington Green. As the British met growing resistance in Concord they were eventually forced to retreat back toward Boston. British leaders temporarily commandeered the tavern for use as a headquarters. In 1789, long after the Revolutionary war was concluded, George Washington visited this site and now so can tourists vacationing in Lexington, MA.
Minute Man National Historical Park Set aside by the United States Government as a national historical park, Minute Man Park spans an area that includes territory lying between Concord and Lexington including Battle Road. The Battle Road Visitors Center presents a helpful orientation film that helps viewers to better understand the collision course that eventually brought British and American forces into bloody conflict in Lexington. . For history buffs a real treat lies in walking along a restored section of Battle Road. Children especially love to p[future and reenact the retreat of the British and the sniping of the Americans.
Neighboring Concord It’s difficult to be vacationing in Lexington and not have curiosity about Concord. The second community marched on by the British on April 19, 1775, Concord is home of the “rude bridge that arched the flood”. While not the first spot of confrontation with the British, being beaten out by Lexington for that honor, Concord is perhaps even more picturesque and well worth a trip over the town border. Concord Bridge and the surrounding fields are capped by a visitors center and overlook that help visitors to understand the events that unfolded when the British reached Concord.
In Concord you can also satisfy your literary curiosity by visiting the homes and the burial sites of great authors like Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Concord is home of Walden Pond made famous by Thoreau in his classic philosophical study “Walden” . Today visitors can take a walk around the pond and view the site where Thoreau spent the days of seclusion that resulted in his now famous work. Both Concord and Lexington are unique village communities that have grown and developed in very different ways since 1775 and the opportunity to compare and contrast can be quite enjoyable.
Drumlin Farm, Lincoln, MA When you are vacationing in Lexington you may be looking for a change from visiting so many truly historic sites. Take a break at nearby delightful Drumlin Farm. Owned and operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Drumlin Farm can help you relax and simply enjoy being on the farm. On its spacious site Drumlin Farm presents adults and children with a chance to visit and take part in the ongoing tasks of a working farm. In the farmyard be prepared to see sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, cows and mules – up close and personal. Drumlin Farm also has its very own Learning Garden where would be horticulturists can get down and dirty in the garden and learn from the experts.
The amazing thing about Drumlin Farm is that its full name is Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. This means that for those vacationing in Lexington, MA who choose to come here there is more than just a farm, there is also a full blown sanctuary for birds and wildlife. If you have been walking along Battle Road while vacationing in Lexington, MA you may enjoy the chance to walk up the drumlin at Lincoln and enjoy a spectacularly peaceful view, with absolutely no battles to think about.and with only the sound of birds to interrupt the peace and quiet
Vacationing in Lexington, MA is a wonderful way to immerse you and your family in our nation’s history and there is plenty to see and do to keep everyone from planning a revolution of their own. l
