Lexington and Concord 250 Years of Freedom
Join us in Remembrance..
Saturday April 19, 2025
(There will be no charge for this event, but early arrival is always encouraged. We have limited parking.)
Join us in Remembrance..
Lexington, The Back Story
The year 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the momentous battle between British “regulars” and the militia of New England–a scrap that gave birth, ultimately, to the United States.
The conflict had been preceded by ten years of struggle between Old England and her colonies in North America. In 1765, the prospect of “taxation without representation” threatened by the Stamp Act inspired street protests in Boston and remonstrances from Virginia as well. Twenty-nine year old Patrick Henry gave a fiery speech before the House of Burgesses defying parliament’s authority and proclaiming, “if this be treason, make the most of it.” The conflict simmered for several years, until British troops, unpopularly stationed in Boston, fired on a crowd of citizens on March 5, 1770, killing five. Popularly known as the “Boston Massacre,” it highlighted the dangers of keeping regular military close to civilian populations. The British ministers of King George III kept agitating for a colonial revenue, culminating in the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. The destruction and expense of that event brought more British troops to Boston, with at least eight regiments stationed in the town by December of 1774. To make matters worse, British officers were instructed to secure colonial stores of gunpowder. From September of 1774 to April of 1775, British troops would try to remove colonial gun powder at least four times — in Cambridge, Salem, New Hampshire, and Williamsburg. The fear of being disarmed encouraged New England militias to begin organizing, drilling, and taking up duty as “minutemen,” able to report for battle at a moment’s notice. When British General Thomas Gage ordered seven hundred men towards Concord, to remove colonial weapons, the match was lit.
Lexington Itinerary
Riley’s Farm Itinerary
Subject to Change
Today, Colonial Chesterfield at Riley’s Farm becomes Lexington Green and the Buckman Tavern. We begin our scenario with the British column having marched off to Concord. Several citizens of the town have been wounded or killed, and six British soldiers have been separated from their comrades.
10:00 AM
Six British Soldiers are captured by the townspeople of Lexington, after the British column marches on to Concord. They will be tied up next to the tavern. Question them! Encourage these poor lads to consider joining the American cause.
11:00 AM
Answer the call to arms and drill with a Lexington militia sergeant.
Noon
Attend to the wounded from this morning’s battle. (An 18th century surgery demonstration)
1:00 PM
Fife and Drum Duet
2:00 PM
The badly beaten British column begins returning to Lexington. Fall in with Captain Parker’s soldiers and fire on the Redcoat flanking columns. What’s this? General Percy’s cannon sounds in the distance.
3:00 PM
Closing Remarks, Jim Riley.
