Friends of Minute Man National Park

Preserving the Birthplace of the American Revolution

Fading Leaves and Lasting Memories:

A Look Back at Fall Events

The colorful leaves of fall have left our sights, but the memories of an exciting fall season are still in our hearts and minds!

This fall, Minute Man National Historical Park and the Friends of Minute Man hosted a series of events and programs where visitors learned about and experienced the historical events and context of the fall of 1774 - a few fateful months before the start of the American Revolution in April 1775.

We hope you enjoyed these special events such as "Behold, The Guns Were Gone!" The 250th anniversary and commemoration of stolen cannon and political turmoil in September 1774; Preparing for Winter, Preparing for War; Park Day; and, of course, the Halloween events at the Wayside and Hartwell Tavern!

These programs engaged thousands of park visitors with a beautiful backdrop of fall color. But get ready for 2025 - spring Patriots' Day events are right around the corner!

To view more photographs of fall events at the park, please click the button below.

Fall Events

Revolutionary Upgrades

Did you notice the new signs at the park? New signage helps identify the park entrance and historic buildings throughout the towns of Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Need a holiday card idea? Come take a picture with the family at the entrance sign! Parking is available in the adjacent lot at the corner of Rt.2A and Old Mass Ave in Lexington.

Updated signage will continue to be installed through 2026 with Great American Outdoors Act funding.

Through the Eyes of the Royal Artillery

New Uniform Brings Revolutionary History to Life

Written by Jarrad Fouss, Minute Man National Historical Park Ranger.

On April 19, 1775 British General Thomas Gage dispatched a military expedition to Concord with the aim to find and destroy rebel military stockpiles there. Aside from the Light Infantry and Grenadiers under Lt. Col. Francis Smith’s command, a small support group of Royal Artillery marched to Concord with orders to destroy any artillery pieces they found.

Thanks to the Friends of Minute Man National Park and a grant from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, a new Royal Artillery uniform is allowing the park to discuss the diverse participants of April 19, 1775. After receiving the uniform in summer 2024, Park Ranger Jarrad Fuoss has put it to use for special 250th Anniversary programs at the park. . . read more.

To read more and view more photographs of the Royal Artillery uniform, please click the button below.

Artillery Uniform

Making Friends at Yosemite

The Friends of Minute Man attended the National Park Friends Alliance (NPFA) annual meeting at Yosemite National Park this fall. Executive Director Kathleen Fahey met with other park and friends organizations to learn how to enhance the visitor experience and preserve our treasured National Parks. Kathleen brought fellow battlefield parks together to discuss the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.

Highlights included a trip to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, pictured on the left. Thank you to the NPFA for providing a stipend to make attendance possible.

Beyond Battle Road

Items of interest outside the Park

Paul Revere House: "The Governor, the Sheriff, and the Sawyer"

Kimberly Alexander of the University of New Hampshire will discuss the New Hampshire perspective on the coming of the American Revolution. Attend the free lecture in person or via livestream on Dec. 10th at 6:30 pm. Click here to learn more.

Longfellow House: "Bostonian Poetry Before Longfellow"

Join the Longfellow Speaker Series to learn about American poetry published in Boston during the Revolutionary and Early National periods. Attend the free lecture in person or online on Dec. 12th at 6:00 pm. Click here to register.

Do you have a free event or online resource you’d like us to include in Beyond Battle Road? Please get in touch with Kathleen Fahey at director@friendsofminuteman.org with your listing.