Reenactment and Round Table at Minute Man Park

Two different sorts of interesting events are coming up this month at Minute Man National Historical Park.

On the weekend of 11-12 September, the New England Campaigners will recreate Captain David Brown’s Company of Concord Minute Men in an encampment near the North Bridge. There will be 18th-century military drill and musketry, and presentations on the role of Brown’s company on 19 April 1775. The event is open to the public from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, and 10:00 to 3:00 on Sunday. And it’s free.

On Monday, 27 September, the park’s Lexington Visitor Center will host the inaugural meeting of a new American Revolution Round Table, from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.. As the Friends of Minute Man Park describe, this group:

is sponsored by the Lincoln Public Library, the Minute Man National Historical Park, and the Tufts University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The purpose of ARRT-MMNHP is to provide a nonacademic, informal continuing forum to review and discuss notable and recent books and research findings about the major events and personalities of the American Revolution.

In addition, the Round Table is intended to:

(1) Encourage the study and discussion of the ideals of the American Revolutionary War;
(2) Promote better understanding of the pivotal events and personalities of the American Revolution; and
(3) Increase public awareness of the meaning, significance and legacy of the American Revolution.

At the September 27th meeting, the group will first discuss organizational plans, to be followed by a discussion of Ray Raphael’s book, The First American Revolution: Before Lexington and Concord.

The organizers ask folks who want to participate to contact moderator Mel Bernstein (or call 781-259-9926) to reserve a place. This first meeting is free, but there will be a $25 annual membership fee to fund future sessions. The plan is to hold three meetings per year, in the fall, winter, and spring.

American Revolution Round Tables have been meeting in other parts of the country for years, and organizers like Bill Welsch, John Nagy, and Thomas Fleming have been asking me why we don’t have one here in Massachusetts. I’m very grateful to Mel Bernstein and the sponsors for starting one up, so now I can attend without any extra work!

(Boston 1775 comments on The First American Revolution here.)