Minute Man National Historical Park is located 22 miles outside of Boston within the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord, Massachusetts. The park commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775 by protecting, preserving and interpreting the significant historic sites, structures, landscapes, events and ideas embodied by these events.

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.

The story of Minute Man is more than just the events that took place at Lexington Green, Concord’s North Bridge, or along the Battle Road in 1775. Minute Man encompasses the story of an evolution of the ideals of freedom and liberty, new notions of cultural independence and citizen responsibility. These ideals led to an American literary revolution the following century, introducing Concord authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The ideals of both the American Revolution and 19th Century literary revolution continue today and serve as an inspiration to people throughout the world.

Minute Man National Historical Park Website

Park Headquarters are located at the North Bridge Visitor Center
174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA 01742
 

Support YOUR National Park
Become a Friend Today!