Minute Man National Historical Park050

Created in 1959, Minute Man National Historical Park (NHP) preserves and protects the significant historic sites, structures, properties, and landscapes associated with some of the first battles of the American Revolution. Today, Minute Man NHP consists of over 900 acres of land which wind along original segments of the April 19, 1775 Battle Road. Minute Man NHP also preserves and interprets the 19th century literary revolution through The Wayside, home of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott and Margaret Sidney.

Begin your visit at the Minute Man Visitor Center, near the eastern entrance of the Park. The Road To Revolution, a multimedia theater program, provides an excellent introduction to the main Park, highlighting Paul Revere's Ride and the battles at Lexington Green, the North Bridge, and along the Battle Road. Park Rangers are on duty to answer questions.

Minute Man National Historical Park has a cell phone audio tour, the first at a National Park. The events of April 19th, 1775 are brought alive through three engaging and informative tours presented to visitors over their own cell phones. Details can be found on the Park's website.

The Visitor Center is open April to October, daily 9am-5pm. It is closed from November to March. At the western end of the Park, there is also the North Bridge Visitor Center, open October to March, daily 11am-3pm; April to September, daily 9am-5pm.

Be sure to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at either of the visitor centers. Kids who complete the booklet receive a Junior Ranger certificate and a special badge!

After leaving the Minute Man Visitor Center, explore the Battle Road Trail. The trail connects historic sites from Meriam's Corner in Concord to the eastern boundary of the park in Lexington. Much of the trail follows original remnants of the Battle Road; other sections leave the historic road to follow the route of the Minute Men, traversing farm fields, wetlands, and forests. The entire trail is five miles long. You can explore the many sites on your own, or join a Ranger for a guided walk. Forty-minute walks given on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, leaving from Hartwell Tavern at 11am and 2pm. Three- to four-hour walks or bicycle programs are presented on Sundays throughout the summer season.

Kids will enjoy hiking and biking in the park along the Battle Road Trail. (Because the Battle Road Trail is primarily an educational trail, though, it is not suitable for high speed bicycling. Bicycles share the trail with pedestrians, wheelchairs, and children in strollers.) Wildlife abounds in many areas of the park. From frogs, salamanders, and turtles to deer, ducks, and geese, you never know what you might see!

The Minute Man National Park Association is a resource that works with the Park to protect its diverse historical and natural resources.