Special Events 2024

A small brass cannon firing with a large blast of flame coming from the front
Check out all of our special events from historic trades demonstrations to walking tours

NPS Photo

Check back often for upcoming special events as we enter the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution!
 
 

September


 

Popular Pollinators!

Saturday, September 28
Minute Man Visitor Center
11:00 am (45 Minutes)

Join Christina Martin, Pollinator Inventory Research Scientist with the NPS Inventory Program, as she shares fascinating insights from her recent fieldwork surveying pollinators at Minute Man. Discover the rich diversity of bees and butterflies in the park, and learn why documenting these species is crucial for conservation efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the vital role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems!

This event is sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park

 

October 2024


 

Archaeology Day!

October 5, 2024
Events happening in two locations:
Parker's Revenge Battlefield (meet at Minute Man Visitor Center)
and at North Bridge Visitor Center


Archeology is a big deal in Minute Man National Historical Park! In light of the musket balls recently discovered by archeologist at the North Bridge, we are excited to announce a special event to show them off!

Join us on Saturday, October 5th for Archaeology Day in Minute Man National Historical Park. Come see the newly discovered artifacts at the North Bridge Visitor Center in Concord or join a park ranger to walk to Parkers Revenge (starting from Minute Man Visitor Center) and learn about efforts to uncover the Parker's Revenge Battlefield.

Schedule of events:
North Bridge Visitor Center Park at 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA
10:00 am – 4:30 pm: See the musket balls on display at the North Bridge Visitor Center. Come talk to park curators about the musket balls and the science behind preserving them!

Minute Man Visitor Center Park at 210 North Great Road, Lexington, MA
Lexington's Lost Battlefield Ranger Program
Program Times at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm (60 minute program)
Meet at Minute Man Visitor Center.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Minute Man National Park

 

Preparing for Winter, Preparing for War~ 250th Event

October 12 & 13, 2024
Hartwell Tavern Park at 112 North Great Road, Lincoln MA
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

After a summer of growing tensions between British soldiers in Boston and radicalized patriots in the countryside, the political crisis engulfing Massachusetts turned into preparations for war. Autumn in Colonial New England was a time of change and transition when many gathered to share the fruits of summer labor and prepare for the coming winter. In 1774 it was also a time of preparation for the coming conflict. Join park staff and living history volunteers for two days of special 250th commemoration programs at Minute Man’s Historic Hartwell Tavern covering the experiences of everyday people as they prepared for winter and for war in 1774.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday (Patriot Perspectives)

9:30am – Site opens with ongoing living history demonstrations throughout the day

11:00am – The Militia Muster: Preparing for war (drill and firing demonstration)

1:00pm – Women in politics

2:00pm – The Militia Muster: Preparing for war (drill and firing demonstration)

2:30 pm – “The attempts of a wicked administration” Crisis in the Autumn of 1774

3:00pm – Muster the Minute men (Interactive drill program)

4:30pm – Site closed


Sunday (British Army and Loyalist Perspectives)

9:30am – Site opens with ongoing living history demonstrations throughout the day

11am – As If an Enemy’s Country: The British Army in Boston (drill and firing demonstration)

11:30am- Loyalist Women

1:00pm – Enemies to their Country

2:00pm – As If an Enemy’s Country: The British Army in Boston (drill and firing demonstration)

2:30 pm – Join the British Army (Interactive drill program)

3:00pm – Neighbors at Odds

4:30pm – Site closed

This event is sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park


 

Wayside Halloween

Saturday, October 19
The Wayside Home of Authors- Parking at 455 Lexington Road, Concord MA
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm


From dark and twisted tales to romantic fortune telling, modern Halloween owes much to the late Victorian era. Join us for an evening of spooky history at The Wayside: Home of Authors. Learn about the superstitions of Hallowe’en in the late 19th century or enjoy the haunting words of selected Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories.

Schedule of Events:
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ~ Wayside Open House: Explore the Hawthorne Sky Parlor
6:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. ~ Victorian Era Halloween Traditions and Fortune Telling
7:00 pm~ Nathaniel Hawthorne Short Story Reading: Feathertop

This event is sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park
 

Hartwell Halloween

October 26, 2024 (Rain Date October 27, 2024)
Hartwell Tavern
5:30 – 9:00pm

When the autumn darkness sets in, we invite all who dare to visit a candle-lit Hartwell Tavern, share ghostly folklore with park staff and volunteers and learn how the people of Colonial New England protected themselves from evil spirits and witches. Listen to spine-tingling stories and live music from the 18th century. For trick-or-treaters of all ages the Friends of Minute Man will be offering individually wrapped candy, so don your costumes and enjoy some treats! (no tricks please). This program will be both outdoors and indoors. All visitors should bring a flashlight and use caution on dark paths.

Please help us decorate! Enjoy a beautiful community jack-o-lantern display leading from the parking lot to the tavern itself! If you would like to contribute a jack-o-lantern you can drop it off at Minute Man Visitor Center on Friday, October 25, 10am-4pm or on Saturday, October 26, 10am – 2pm.

Schedule of Events:
5:30 pm ~ Feathertop: A mildly spooky story for young children
6:30 pm ~ History of local Ghost Stories
7:30 pm ~ Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Ongoing Activities
5:30 to 9:00 pm ~ Spooky History Open House in Hartwell Tavern
5:30 to 9:00 pm ~ Trick or Treat at Hartwell Tavern & Community Jack-o-lantern Display
6:00 to 8:30pm ~ Live Period Music in the Barn


This program is sponsored by the Friends of Minute Man National Park
 

Learn More!

 

Last updated: September 26, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

North Bridge / Park Headquarters
174 Liberty St.

Concord, MA 01742

Phone:

978 369-6993

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