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!

Sense of History: The Place of the Past in American Life
Date: June 10, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Minute Man Visitor Center – Rt 2A, Lexington

Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Park with University of Massachusetts Professor David Glassberg. Professor Glassberg’s research concerns the history of popular historical consciousness in America as represented in politics, culture, and the environment. Co-sponsored by Massachusetts Historical Society and the Concord Free Public Library.

For more information, contact the Interpretive Division at (978) 318 – 7825 or visit the Massachusetts Historical Society website.

The Friends of Minute Man National Park will be attending the 30th annual Lexington Discovery Day this Saturday, May 23rd. This fun outdoor event features local retailers, community organizations and municipal representatives in a festive community fair atmosphere. There will be live music, raffles, games and prizes, crafts, and plenty of food! The event runs from 10am to 3pm and will be held in the Muzzey Street/Waltham Street municipal parking lot in Lexington Center.

The Friends will have a small tent and display next to the bandstand with membership information, Park news & event calendars, and crafting fun for all ages. Be sure to stop by and say hello and make your own crafts to enjoy!

Two hundred and thirty-four years ago, the decade-long political feud between the British government and the American colonists, determined to retain their rights as British subjects, came to a devastating climax as British regulars clashed with colonial militia and minute men on April 19, 1775 at Lexington, Concord’s North Bridge and on the long, bloody road back to Boston. The fighting that began that day soon grew into a war for independence that lasted more than eight years. Many years later, Ralph Waldo Emerson used the phrase “the shot heard round the world” to describe the significance of this event.

2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Minute Man National Historical Park. During this important Patriots’ Day holiday and historic anniversary year, help support the  Park by becoming a member of the Friends of Minute Man National Park!

The story of Minute Man National Historical Park is more than just the events that took place at the North Bridge and along the Battle Road in 1775. Minute Man is also the story of an evolution of the ideals of freedom and liberty, and new notions of cultural independence and citizen responsibility which led to a revolution in American literature the following century. The ideals of both revolutions continue today and serve as an inspiration to people throughout the world. Your support helps us advance the goals of Minute Man National Park, inspiring today’s visitors and future generations to learn from our remarkable local history.