J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Thursday, October 07, 2010

Arms and Archeology along the Battle Road

This Saturday, 9 October, the unit reenacting His Majesty’s First Regiment, Foot Guards, will be at the Hartwell Tavern in Minute Man National Historical Park from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. They will “perform eighteenth-century military maneuvers, display uniforms and equipment and educate visitors about life in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.” That event is free.

That evening the park will host its “Battle Road Heroes” event, usually performed in April (as shown above):

Walk down a pathway to the past. Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join Captain William Smith, the Hartwells, the Lincoln Minute Men, drovers, musicians, and His Majesty’s soldiers for this special evening of theater and history. Starting at 7:00 p.m., tours leave approximately every fifteen minutes and last about one hour, walking. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes. This event is appropriate for ages 8 and up.
“Battle Road Heroes” costs $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Minute Man National Park.

On the Sundays in October after this weekend—i.e., 17, 24, and 31 October—from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., the Lexington Historical Society will host an exhibit at its Buckman Tavern on Bedford Street called “The Reverend Hancock’s Household: Life in Early Colonial Lexington.” This exhibit showcases the archaeological finds from another site, the Hancock-Clarke House. There will be gallery talks each Sunday at 4:00, and admission is free. I think this is part of Archeology Month in Massachusetts.

ADDENDUM: Today’s Boston Globe ran a story on the Lexington archeology exhibit.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mr. Bell

That photo is of the 63rd Regiment of Foot not the First Regiment of Foot Guards. I can provide a correct picutre of the the First Guards if you like, since I used to command that Regiment.

Winston Stone

J. L. Bell said...

Thanks for identifying that unit. As the article says, it’s a picture from “Battle Road Heroes” in April. But the photo didn’t come with a specific label, and I didn’t recognize the faces or facings.