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.)

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.  If you have been following this page for any length of time, you see that we have cut down our scenario.  In addition some family injuries this week and our staff being in high demand by the field trip program, there is a shortage of hobby living historians in Southern California.  (My thoughts on that.)

Noon

Answer the call to arms and drill with a Lexington militia sergeant.

1:00 PM

Artillery and Musket Fire Demonstration

3:00 PM

Closing Remarks, Jim Riley.