Minute Men National Historical Park

In the morning Richard had a follow-up appointment with his Team at Boston Children’s Hospital. The 3 boys all went to this appointment so that they could do a field trip after. We went up to Minute Men National Historical Park (outside link) just outside Lincoln, MA.

We picked up Subway and to eat it at the picnic area by the parking area at the Park.

Minute Men Visitor’s Center

We started out at the Minute Men Visitor Center at the south end of the Park. The team there was great and showed us around the visitor’s center. One of the NPS Volunteers, a retired teacher spent some time showing us the musket balls that they found during an archeological dig just down the trail/old road from the Visitor’s Center by the South Bridge.

Hartwell Tavern

We then drove up to the Hartwell Tavern. We got to not only explorer the interior of this 16th century building but we also got a short Living History talk and Minute Men demonstration. Even papa learned a few things new. He learned that Minute min were a 100% volunteer company within the larger town Militia. All “able body boys and men from 16 to 60 years old” where required to be in the town militia, drilled 1/2 day 6 times a year and did not get paid. On the other hand, the Minute Company, as it was called, were voluntary and paid force. They would drill 2-3 times a week and were required to have their uniform and equipment with them at all times.

After the Living History Talk, they did a live demo of a musket drill. Richard enjoyed the first shot but did not like the 2nd and screamed.

After the talk and demo, we set off on foot and explored the trail/road between the Hartwell Tavern and the Visitor’s Center.

Along the way, we learned about the town’s people and what happened that day. Sidney also completed his Jr. Ranger material for this park and we stopped back in at the Visitor’s Center where a Park Ranger from Western Washington (Spanaway, WA) swore him in as a US Parks Service Jr. Ranger.

The Visitor’s Center is at the South end of the Park and at the North End of the park is North Bridge National Historical Site. This is where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were shot. We drove up there to end our day.

Overall the boys really enjoyed their day and got home very late. Mama enjoyed an entire day of peace and quiet without her boys.