Friends of Minute Man National Park

The Colonial Tavern Dinner held on April 14th at the park’s historic Noah Brooks Tavern was a rousing success.  Guests enjoyed colonial-themed appetizers and rum punch while listening to colonial music and playing historic parlor games of chance.  This was followed by a gala dinner.  Many thanks to the committee who put this wonderful event together: Membership Director Carrie Midura, Brigid Kennedy-Pfister, Pat Costello, Frances Sacco, Edward Treace, Jennifer Voss, and park Superintendent Nancy Nelson.

Thanks are also extended to our 18th century volunteers, Jeremy & Nancy Bell, Eric Chetwynd,  Shane Clarke, Jane Coughlin, Erin Johnston, Lorien Moore, Kimball Tarr, and Dan Voss for adding a true colonial flavor and spirit to the event. We were also delighted to have Short Order Gourmet as the caterer for the evening and West Concord Liquors provided the refreshments, including an evening port tasting. Floral Fantasies of Tyngsboro prepared the stunning floral and fruit decor and Upstairs Antiques loaned several sets of brass candlesticks just for the event. Thank you to one and all for making the event a success.

Membership Director Carrie Midura welcomes Barbara Buchan and Jane Herlacher

Jane Coughlin and Laurien Moore take a break from serving

The Bells with Superintendent Nelson

William Hill, Jane Adams and Punchmaster Jeremy Bell

Musicians Eric Chetwynd, Erin Johnston, Nancy Bell and Friends President Bob Morris

Neil Rasmussen and Anna West Winter try their luck with Gaming Master Kimball Tarr

Guests enjoying the first course.

Warmth and enjoyment emanated into the night.

Minute Man, Patriot and 1775 Society level members are invited to this year’s annual Friends’ Colonial Reception on Sunday, October 18th. The Friends’ Staff and Board of Directors are looking forward to treating members to an entertaining afternoon filled with eighteenth century frivolity. Period-inspired refreshments and beverages will be served and guests will also be treated to colonial-era musical performances by local musicians.

Want to join the party? If you are a current Minute Man, Patriot or 1775 Society level member, you will be receiving an invitation by mail. Need to renew or join? Visit our Membership Page and sign up today! Not sure if your membership is current? Call 978.318.7822 or email membership@friendsofminuteman.org to find out. We hope you’ll join us for a merry afternoon!

If you haven’t yet attended one of our exclusive preview screenings for the upcoming Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, we’d like to remind you about this afternoon’s members-only screening. Members of the Friends of Minute Man National Park are invited to join President Kathleen O’Connor and Treasurer Holly Muson for an extended viewing of preview films, deleted scenes and untold stories.

If you’re not a member but would like to attend the preview, we will have membership forms available at the event, or you can download a form online and bring it with you. In addition, we will host one final screening for the public on Thursday, September 10th. For more information about the public screening, contact Carrie Midura at carrie@friendsofminuteman.org or 978.318.7822.

The spring winds are still blowing about the Park and that means it’s great weather for flying a kite! In keeping with the 18th century spirit of the Park, the Friends of Minute Man National Park will be conducting a colonial kite-making workshop at the Park on Sunday, May 17th from 2 – 4 p.m. Based on 18th century illustrations, these silk and wood kites are as pretty to look at as they are fun to fly! There is a $10 materials fee per kite. For more information or to reserve your space, please email info@friendsofminuteman.org or call 978.318.7822.

And if you can’t join us for the workshop – be sure to save the date for Family Day on May 30th at Hartwell Tavern. We’ll be there with kites for you to try flying yourself!

“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.