NPS Website; Local Website.
WHAT IS IT?Battle Road, Hartwell Tavern, the North Bridge and other sights preserved to commemorate the events of April 19, 1775, Patriots Day. The day that the American Revolution began. Also included at Minute Man National Historical Park is The Wayside, the Concord home of Louisa May Alcott, later purchased by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
BEAUTY (4/10)
Minute Man NHP is situated in Boston’s outskirts, in between the city’s urban sprawl and the beginnings of the Massachusetts countryside. In fact, the Battle Road portion of the Site ends before it reaches Lexington because of U.S. Interstate 95, the road that is effectively Boston’s beltway. The Site itself is not particularly beautiful. The significance is historical, not natural.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (10/10)
The place where the American Revolution began.
If that is not enough, the site also includes the house where much of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women took place, perhaps the most beloved children’s novel America has known.
CROWDS (4/10)
It was wonderful to be at Minute Man NHP during Patriots Day weekend 229 years later. We would not have chosen any other time. The excitement was tangible. The crowds, however, consisted mostly of families with very young kids. We found concentrating on a Ranger’s musket shooting demonstration quite difficult amidst the din of screaming children. At the same time, other children felt the need to disassemble violently the nearby stone fence despite constant reminders from another Park Ranger to stop. In fact, the explanation as to why their kids should not destroy the rock fence was neither because it is a part of the National Park nor because the Ranger had continuously told them to stop. To a parent, the only reason given to stop was that “you might get hurt”. Arghhh.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (3/5)Right off U.S. Interstate 95. 20 miles from Boston. The Battle Road Trail is crushed stone and might be difficult in a wheelchair. The portion of the Battle Road Trail that meets Hanscom Road is under construction and impassable. As a result one cannot walk the entirety of the Trail.
Because we were there for Patriots Day weekend we were able to go into the Hartwell Tavern, a restored Inn that lies along the Trail. Usually the Tavern is only open from May to October. The Wayside, however, was not open. Its doors are open May through October as well.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (4/5)
Both the Lexington and the Concord Visitor Centers had a very good selection of Revolutionary War books. In addition, the Concord Visitor Center had a great deal of books by and about the Concord-area writers: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
COSTS (4/5)
Battle Road and all Minute Man related sections of the Park are free. There is a $4 charge for entry into The Wayside.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (4/5)
The Rangers were working hard on Patriots Day weekend. Most were dressed in period costume. Lectures were plentiful. We spoke to the musket shooting Ranger about Revolutionary War-era Tavern culture and the events of April 19 for about 20 minutes. After his lecture, we saw him walking with about seven other people explaining incidents along the Trail. He was wonderful. He seemed to have a nose for people who wanted to ask questions.
TOURS/CLASSES (9/10)
We can only grade what we experienced and the Tours/Classes/Reenactments that we saw were spectacular. We did not watch the video at the Visitor Center because there were so many interesting events happening outside. The Rangers put on an entertaining and educational show. It was also nice that when asked about current historical theory and interpretations the costumed Rangers got out of character and dropped knowledge.
FUN (8/10)It is hard to equate fun with a Site strewn with so much death, even if it marked the beginning of our War for Independence. While the Park is a place for solemn reflection and thanks, it is also a place of American triumph and a place that speaks of the American character.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (10/10)
Once again, we can only speak to our experience at Minute Man NHP. On Patriots Day, it was electric. And we didn’t even wake up for the early morning reenactments. Almost everyone there, save the fence destroying rug rats, was eager to learn. The Rangers were eager to share their knowledge and engage in lively conversation with visitors. The sun was shining. The day was perfect. The walking trails and handful of picnic areas should attract even the non-history buffs in your family.
TOTAL 60/80
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