Concord – September 2022

Concord – September 2022

by Kim · Published September 19, 2022 · Updated September 19, 2022

Concord – September 2022

Finally I understand why Paul Revere made his midnight ride! It was extremely interesting to follow the Battle Field Road where the Revolutionary War began. The National Park Service has done a fantastic job on the Minute Man Park.

The North Bridge is where the British crossed the Concord River headed to the home of Colonel Barrett, who they suspected had the four missing cannons. A small contingent of Redcoats, who guarded the bridge, were confronted by the local militia. No one is sure who shot first, but it is considered to be the start of the Revolutionary War.

Another view of the North Bridge.

The Minute Man statue stands next to the North Bridge.

An animated park ranger regales us with the happenings that occurred here on April 19, 1775.

Dale stands on the North Bridge, which crosses the Concord River.

This home built in 1705, was owned by Colonel James Barrett. On April 19, 1775 British Regulars searched this home looking for stores of artillery and ammunition. They found nothing because it had already been moved. They took some food and tried to pay Barrett's wife for it but she called it "blood money".

This home was built in 1705. It had already been standing 50 years when the Revolutionary War began!

A park volunteer describes the events at the Meriam House.

When the British passed the Meriam House they took pies from the oven because they were hungry. The NPS Ranger was handing out small pies to visitor. Dale snagged one, of course.

The British passed this home in the morning on the way to Concord, however, when the British returned later in the day they were attacked by militia. As they continued to retreat back to Boston they had to fight most of the way.

This is the place where Paul Revere was arrested by the British while he was on his "midnight ride". They released him and he went back to Lexington to hang out with Sam Adams and John Hancock.

This wall, which is located off the road in the woods, is probably an actual wall from the time of the battle. The walls that currently line the trail were remade once the National Parks removed the modern day road that had covered the historical trail.

This young militia man was headed down the road.

What a sweet expression and beautiful blue eyes!

This volunteer explained the kitchen to us and the popularity of chocolate to the people of the 1700s. I know it's important to me too!

This park volunteer spent a good deal of time explaining colonial life to Dale and I. She also gave me a sample of the tape that she is weaving. The tape is used to tie on aprons, bonnets, etc.

The Captain William Smith House was home to William, wife Catherine, three young children and an enslaved man named Cato. On April 19, 1775 the British column passed by here on their way to Concord and again during their fighting retreat to Boston in the afternoon. A wounded British soldier was left behind and treated at the house. He died and is buried near by.

Dale ponders the day's events.

The Hartwell Tavern interior.

Dale is serving up pints in the Hartwell Tavern!

The Battle Road Trail is a five mile trail connecting historic sites from Meriam’s Corner in Concord to the eastern boundary of the park in Lexington. Much of the trail follows the original remnants of the Battle Road: Where thousands of Colonial Militia and British Regulars fought a bloody engagement on April 19, 1775.

The Hartwell Tavern, one of the "witness houses" was restored and is maintained by the National Park Service. The entire "Battle Road" is a National Park that immerses you in history.

These two gentlemen slipped into 1775 and brought us with them. The one in brown had assumed the role of a young man who was in the battle. The gentleman in blue is an author (for real) who has researched and written about the battle.

The Battle Road has markers every mile to show the route the British took to and from Boston.

There are several markers for British soldiers on the road to Concord.

This bluff was used as a rallying point for the British before heading toward Fiske Hill.

This is one of 11 "witness houses" that were standing the day of April 19, 1775.

Dale and I made friends with this park ranger and we saw him quite a few times as we traveled up and down the battlefield trail.

The day we visited Minute Man National Park there were several volunteers and rangers in period costume.

This is the Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote "Little Women". Why did everyone name their homes?

Can you imagine Louisa looking out the window as she penned one of her books?

The Wayside House. During the 19th century a succession of authors called this house home; most notably Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Alcotts owned the house from 1845-1852. Here Louisa and her sisters lived much of the childhood described in the book, "Little Women". Nathaniel Hawthorne and his family owned the house from 1852 through 1869.

This trail at the top of a ridge near the Wayside House was used by Nathaniel Hawthorne as a place of contemplation.

Walden Pond. While living in Walden Woods for two years beginning in 1845, Henry David Thoreau contemplated Walden Pond's features. In "The Ponds" section of Walden, published in 1854.

Ralph Waldo Emerson lived here from 1835 until his death in 1882.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the burial site of a number of famous authors and thinkers, especially on a hill known as "Authors' Ridge." It was dedicated on September 29, 1855; Ralph Waldo Emerson gave a dedication speech and would be buried there decades later.

People leave pens and pencils on the graves of the authors buried in the Sleep Hollow Cemetery.

Henry David Thoreau's family gravesite.

Nathaniel Hawthorn's grave.

The Alcott Family gravesite.

The Alcott Family is buried in the Sleep Hollow Cemetery. This is Louisa's grave.

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