Friends of Minute Man National Park

No need to fret! Thanks to Santo Wiryaman of LexMedia who was present and filming at the 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Sunday, September 20th you can see what you missed.

NPS 50th Anniversary Gala from stw254 on Vimeo.

Do you have photos or video to share from the Gala or other recent events? If so, let us know, we’d love to share them! Thank you again to Santo and the LexMedia crew – the short video really captures the spirit of the evening!

HOUSE PASSES MARKEY AND TSONGAS RESOLUTION
HONORING MINUTEMAN PARK

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 22, 2009  the House of Representatives approved a resolution sponsored by Reps. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park on its 50th Anniversary.

“Since its inception 50 years ago, Minute Man National Historical Park has educated millions of people not just about the momentous events of those spring days in April 1775, but about the ideals of liberty, freedom and self-determination which remain the core of our American character,” said Markey. “America’s story of independence continues to be a source of inspiration to people all over the world. The Minute Man National Historical Park ensures that these iconic places will be preserved so that future generations can learn about the role that Lexington, Lincoln, Concord and ‘every Middlesex village and farm’ played in the birth of our nation.”

The Minute Man Nation Historical Park encompasses more than 1,000 acres in the historic communities of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, Massachusetts.  It includes areas such as Concord’s North Bridge, where the American militia were first ordered to fire on British soldiers. It features Paul Revere’s capture site, where his famous “Midnight Ride” to warn the colonists that British soldiers were marching to Concord came to its conclusion.  The Park also features The Wayside, a house that was in turn home to celebrated authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Sidney.

Since its inception on September 21, 1959, the park has played a vital role in protecting and preserving the sites in the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord where the American Revolution began. For 50 years, the park has educated millions of Americans about the extraordinary events that led to the birth of our nation.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) introduced a similar measure in the Senate. Massachusetts Reps. Frank, McGovern, Olver, Tierney, Delahunt, Neal and Capuano are also sponsors of the House measure.

Tonight’s 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration was a great success, thanks to all the Park Staff, Volunteers, Friends and guest who helped to make the event happen.  Following some delicious fare at the receptions, guests were seated and welcomed with fife and drum music courtesy of MCV who also played in the reenactors and Guild of Historic Interpreters who were present for the event.

NECN news anchor R.D. Sahl kept the program moving from remarks by Senator Niki Tsongas, to an incredible speech by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, to proclamations by State Senators and Representatives in honor of the Park’s Anniversary. Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drum returned to the floor to wow the crowd with more 18th century military music before NPS Northeast Regional Director Dennis Reidenbach offered his remarks on the occasion. Superintendent Nancy Nelson offered her heartfelt thanks to her staff, colleagues, park volunteers, and the communities  directly connected to the park. Responding with not one, but two standing ovations, the captivated and appreciative guests also took Nancy’s remarks to heart.

The evening’s program concluded with a lovely display of 18th century dancing featuring the music of Poor Richard’s Penny.  In her closing remarks, Nancy  thanked every one once more and invited all present to enjoy cake and coffee before departing. (And it was very delicious cake!) Many reenactors stayed to enjoy additional dancing before the evening came to a close.

Guests were also presented with commemorative posters as they left and all were invited to join us for the Re-dedication of the Park at the North Bridge on Monday, September 21st at Noon.

Thank you again to all involved, and particularly to the honor guards from Lexington Minute Men, Lincoln Minute Men, Brown’s Company Concord Minute Men, His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot, and the First Squadron, 182nd Cavalry Color Guard Massachusetts Army National Guard.

We look forward to sharing photographs in the coming days and weeks. If you have photos to share, don’t hesitate to send them along!

Starting at 10:00 this morning, there are a multitude of events happening around Minute Man Park. It’s a fee-free day at The Wayside in Concord so if you haven’t visited lately, be sure to stop by and catch up on your history with a complimentary guided tour of the home of the authors! The Wayside opens at 10:00 for the day.

In addition, the Hartwell Players will be performing Colonial Tunes at Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln at 1:00 p.m. and that’s just the first of two musical programs today. Hear traditional 18th century tunes presented by the Hartwell Players – always a favorite of Park visitors. And if you’re still in the Hartwell area at 2:30 p.m., take a quick walk up to the Smith House and see what happens when Abigail Adams meets Lincoln resident Captain William Smith!

Finally, at 3:00 p.m. today in the Buttrick Garden, the Concord Band will present a concert in honor of the 50th Anniversaries of both the Band and the Park. A full program can be found at the Concord Band Website.  So bring your blankets, enjoy some excellent music, and don’t forget to stop by the GayGrace Teas Mobile Tea Room for some refreshments will you’re there!

For more information about these or other upcoming events, please contact the Park’s Interpretive Division at 978.318.7825.

“Realizing the Vision: Minute Man National Historical Park Turns 50″ is a new exhibition at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA. The exhibition includes approximately 40 photographs documenting the restoration of the historic Battle Road. The suburbs and businesses that were constructed around the Battle Road from the middle of the 1900s encroached upon and changed the face of this historic area. The half-century restoration project has returned the landscape to what it was like in 1775.

On Sunday, April 19th, Friends’ members and guests were treated to an evening reception and exhibit opening at the museum. Friends President Kathleen O’Connor welcomed the guests along with Minute Man NHP Superintendent Nancy Nelson. Lou Sideris, Chief of Planning and Communications at Minute Man NHP, who also coordinated the exhibit at the museum, also spoke briefly on the signifigance of the Park’s 50th anniversary and the 234th anniversary of April 19, 1775. Visitors were also entertained by a quartet from Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drum throughout the reception.

The National Heritage Museum is open to the public at no charge seven days a week, Monday through Saturdays from 10 – 4:30 and Sundays from 12-5.  The National Heritage Museum is located at 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA.

The Friends of Minute Man National Park are excited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the park throughout 2009. Minute Man National Park was established on September 21, 1959 and an exciting array of events and programs are currently being planned. We’ll be keeping everyone up to date with latest information through our website, regular emails, and the Quarterly Courier newsletter.

It’s never too late to Join the Fight!

Become a member or volunteer today and be a part of this historic anniversary year! For more information, contact Membership Director Carrie Midura at 978.318.7822 or Carrie_Midura@partner.nps.gov.