"People, Plants & Revolution" Public Art Banners and Audio Tour
2025-04-04 - 2025-05-31 | Town of Arlington, MA, Massachusetts Avenue 730, Arlington, MA, 02476, United States
April 4 to May 31, 2025
Public Art: Commemorative Banners and Audio Tour
Arlington Center, outside along Mass Avenue
People, Plants & Revolution is the theme for a series of colorful banners and an audio tour commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Arlington, MA. Organized by ArtsArlington, the banners portray the landscape elements and important plants that shaped life in 1775 in Menotomy, as the town was known at the time, a colonial farming village. Learn more about these plants and how people lived, interwoven with revolutionary history, by listening to the audio tour – available anytime and anywhere at www.PlantStories.us. The original silkscreen art used to make the banners is on view at 13FOREST Gallery (through May 23) and the Old Schwamb Mill (through May 31). See versions of the banners up close at Robbins Memorial Town Hall (through September 6) on the second floor. All of the banners and text versions of the audio tour are available at https://artsarlington.org/plants-and-people/.
About the Artists
ArtsArlington’s Public Art Curator Cecily Miller invited artists Suzanne Moseley and Liz Shepherd to design commemorative banners; they were assisted by Lily McDonald and Andrew Palladino.
Suzanne Moseley is an experimental artist, working in printmaking, cyanotype and sculptural formats. She often collaborates, recently with co-artist Liz Shepherd. Her work is in private collections, is often grant-funded and has been exhibited in the US and abroad. Her sculptures from repurposed materials, created with fellow artist Adrienne Shishko, have been featured in Fiber Art Now, The Boston Globe, and New Visionary Magazine. Her ability to work collaboratively garners its own attention, with invitations to discuss her experience, most recently at Berklee College of Music, Harvard Art Museum’s Maker Space and for an upcoming program on Newton Cable News.
Liz Shepherd produces large-scale sculptural installations, which bring to mind ideas about the earthly and the divine. She uses printmaking to enhance objects made of wood or paper. She also produces small, hand-pulled print editions. In the past 15 years she has exhibited in the United States and internationally. Shepherd’s work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Edinburgh College of Art, Syracuse University, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Hanoi (Vietnam) Contemporary Art Centre and the Bernard Zuckerman Museum of Art in Kennesaw, Georgia as well as numerous corporate and private collections. Originally from New York City, Shepherd now lives in Boston. She received her MFA in 2006 from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, which awarded her the prestigious Traveling Fellowship in 2015.
About the Audio Producer
Molly Edwards, Ph.D. produced the audio tour portion of this project. Dr. Edwards is a plant biologist turned science communicator who goes by Science IRL (‘in real life’) online. She is dedicated to telling stories that showcase the humanity and joy of being a scientist and foster a sense of belonging in STEM. In 2022 she received her Ph.D. from Harvard University, where she studied the wild and wonderful petals of columbine flowers. During graduate school she realized her science video hobby was quickly becoming a passion project that would shape her future career. Upon graduating she founded Science IRL Productions and now works with scientists and artists to bring STEM stories to life through digital media.
About ArtsArlington
The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture – ArtsArlington for short – serves as the umbrella organization for all town-related arts and culture activities. Our mission is to cultivate a sustainable and supportive environment for the arts, enliven public space with accessible creative experiences to strengthen and enrich our community, create opportunities for artists, and invigorate the local economy. Our Public Art Curator, Cecily Miller, organized four projects to commemorate Arlington250 including these commemorative banners as well as work by Nilou Moochhala, Christopher Frost, Asia Kepka, and the fiber artists of Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilting Guild. See https://artsarlington.org

Untold Stories: Public Art Commemorating Arlington 250
2025-04-05 08:00 - 2025-05-23 17:00 (America/New_York) | 13 Forest Gallery, Massachusetts Avenue 167a, Arlington, MA, 02474, United States
On view April 5 – May 23, this 13Forest Gallery exhibition spotlights three major public art projects commissioned by Arts Arlington and planned by Public Art Curator Cecily Miller to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution and the critical role of Arlington (formerly the Village of Menotomy) on its very first day of fighting, on April 19, 1775.
Featured artists in the exhibition include Chris Frost and Asia Kepka, Nilou Moochhala, and Suzanne Moseley and Liz Shepherd.
Sat April 26, 4-6PM, “Telling Stories”, talk by curator Cecily Miller and the artists of Untold Stories
Sat May 10, 4-6PM, Show and Tell – a demonstration of natural dyeing techniques and sustainability practices in art and fashion with Asia Kepka.

Arlington Restaurant Week
2025-04-12 - 2025-04-21 | Massachusetts
Arlington Restaurant Week
Sunday, April 12-Monday, April 21
Arlington’s diverse cuisine, representing all corners of the world, will be on display during Arlington Restaurant Week. Running from Sunday, April 12 through Monday, April 21, Arlington Restaurant Week will encompass Patriots’ Day Weekend 2025 and will celebrate 250 years since the Battle of Menotomy which took place at the beginning of the American Revolution. Participating restaurants will feature culinary specials and entertainment.
Arlington offers a thriving arts scene, boutique galleries, independent theaters, diverse dining, public art and access to the Minuteman Bikeway all within five square miles. This blend of history, natural beauty and vibrant arts makes Arlington a destination for foodies and history buffs just in time to kick off the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.

Concord250: Weaving an Address
2025-04-14 09:00 - 2025-06-14 21:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, Stow Street 40, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Exhibition: April 14 – June 14, 2025
Opening Reception April 14, 6 p.m.
The Umbrella Arts Center in historic Concord Center will commemorate the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution and “the shot heard round the world” with an ambitious outdoor/indoor public and gallery art exhibition, Weaving an Address, curated by artist Marla McLeod.
For the first time, Weaving an Address combines The Umbrella’s popular Art Ramble public art installation, on view April 15 through October 7 at Brister’s Hill in nearby Walden Woods, with an indoor exhibition (on view April 14 through June 14) in The Umbrella’s Allie Kussin Gallery. The exhibition features site-specific work by eight prominent Black artists combining sculpture, fiber art, installation and live performance inspired by little-known experiences of historical Black inhabitants of Concord and its Walden Woods.
Featured artists in the exhibition are Sharon Chandler Correnty, Ifé Franklin, Stephen Hamilton, Whitney Harris, Ekua Holmes, Perla Mabel, Marla McLeod, Kimberly Love Radcliffe, and Anthony Peyton Young.
Outdoors, large-scale work will be installed on Brister’s Hill, named for Brister Freeman, an enslaved man who won his freedom by serving in the Revolutionary War and then bought the property and lived there along with other formerly enslaved.Indoors at The Umbrella, inter-related fiber artworks will weave narratives from fragmented pasts to offer a vision of how history shapes the present and influences the future.
Supporting community activities include an opening reception on April 14, monthly curator talks, a processional with artist Ifé Franklin, and participation in the town-wide Revolutionary Concordians Trading Card program.
This exhibition is presented as part of the Concord250 commemoration, in partnership with The Walden Woods Project and The Robbins House, in association with Gather 2025, a month-long exploration and celebration of fiber and textile art in Greater Boston, and with permission of Concord Natural Resources Division.
See https://TheUmbrellaArts.org/Weaving for more information about special engagements, wayfinding, artist bios, and background to the exhibition.

Paying Homage to Harriet Powers: A Revolutionary Quilter
2025-04-18 18:00 - 2025-04-19 16:00 | Mystic Open Studio, Massachusetts Avenue 785, Arlington, MA, 02476, United States
In celebration of the American Revolution’s ideals of freedom and equality, ArtsArlington has invited the fber artists of Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild to share their powerful quilt blocks on Patriots Day Weekend. Guild members Mada Coles Galloway, Lesyslie Rackard & Tarsha-Nicole Taylor will be at Mystic Open Studio during visiting hours to share their perspectives and expertise; organized by Juandamarie Gikandi.
The Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild (PSSMQG) honors the legacy of African American quilting by celebrating Harriett Powers (1837–1910), a Black quilter and folk artist born enslaved in Madison County, Georgia. PSSMQG has faithfully recreated Powers’ “Pictorial Quilt” in a modern context, using their own vibrant fabrics and contemporary sensibilities.
Powers’ quilts are considered some of the fnest examples of African American art and have made lasting contributions to American cultural heritage. Only two of her quilts are known to survive: the “Bible Quilt” (1886), held at the Smithsonian Institution, and the “Pictorial Quilt” (1888), housed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Mrs. Powers used appliqué, machine stitching, and hand stitching to create these quilts, which depict Bible stories, prophecies, and astronomical events.
Related Events
OPENING RECEPTION:
Thursday, April 17, 6 to 8 pm
VISITING HOURS
Friday, April 18, 2 to 5 pm
(Coincides with Stitching Bee* organized by Mystic Open Studio; * $10 participation fee for Stitching Bee)
Friday, April 18, 6 to 8 pm
(on view during Drum Circle organized by Mystic Open Studio (artists not present) FREE)
Saturday, April 19, 11am–4pm
(Coincides with tours of the historic Jason Russell House & Menotomy Beer Hall at Town Hall – FREE)
Hosted by Mystic Open Studios
785 Mass Avenue, Arlington, MA
www.mysticopenstudio.com
Exhibit free and open to all!

Patriots' Day at the Concord Museum
2025-04-19 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Free admission (9:00 am – 5:00 pm), including access to the immersive April 19, 1775 galleries to see the original lantern from Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride and the new special exhibition Whose Revolution.
A family-friendly encampment of Revolutionary Living History (10:00 am – 5:00 pm). Billerica Colonial Minutemen will drill with muskets, cook over an open firepit, and demonstrate colonial crafts.
Family drop-in activities (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) inspired by the American Revolution and the new Barefoot Books publication Rise Up!
A Forum with Doris Kearns Goodwin (6:00 – 7:00 pm) on the American Revolution and its legacy. Seating is limited and advanced registration is required.
An outdoor concert with the Goodwin Band (7:30 – 8:30 pm), finishing with a view of a town-wide drone show.
Food trucks, an ice cream truck, and a wine and beer truck all day and evening.
Free Museum admission is supported by Highland Street Foundation, and Patriots’ Day family activities are supported by the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.

Special Patriots' Day Open Hours at Lexington History Museums
2025-04-19 | Lexington History Museums, 13 Depot Sq, Lexington, 02420, United States
Lexington History Museums is open on a special schedule for April 19! We will be open early to accommodate visitors in town for the big reenactment, and will be closing early to coincide with the afternoon parade. Please see exact hours below.
Buckman Tavern:
Walk-through tours 6 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Regular audio tours with special exhibition Swept Up In Revolution 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Please note that the area around the tavern on Massachusetts Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Hancock-Clarke House:
Open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Please note that the area around the museum on Hancock Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Munroe Tavern:
Open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Please note that the area around the museum on Massachusetts Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 12 p.m.
Lexington Depot:
Open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Please note that the area around the museum on Massachusetts Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Concord250 Block Party
2025-04-19 01:00 - 20:30 | Concord, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
250th Block Party Timeline
All DAY EVENTS
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike. Community Day at the Concord Museum, enjoy free admission to the Museum to see the original lantern from Paul Revere’s midnight ride and the new special exhibition “Whose Revolution.” Family drop-in activities. Free.
11:00 AM – 7:45 PM
Barrow Bookstore, 79 Main St. Photo Op: Throne Chair. Flourish your camera and capture your inner loyalist spirit as you sit in the throne chair outside of Barrow Bookstore. Free
Barrow Bookstore, 79 Main St. Outdoor Display: Concord Authors’ Revolutionary War Ancestors. Free
Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Rd –Open House of this historic tavern where the Militia Patriots and British Redcoats met at different times. Be in the place where history happened and is happening again. Tours, Beer Garden, & printmaking exhibition. $
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM LandVest, 24 Main St. Concord 250 Photo Booth. Pose in front of the historic site of Concord as the backdrop and with the Concord 250 logo. Free
1:00 PM – 7:45 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. The Concord Scout House Soirée is an afternoon and evening of stories, dance, song, and historical exhibitions with family-friendly entertainment. $
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, 399 Lexington Rd. Celebrate at “The Home of Little Women” – also a Revolutionary War “Witness House”– with costumed interpreters, games, music, presentations, “Revolutionary selfies,” Concord Minutemen, Nashobah Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine, and Louisa May Alcott herself reminiscing about the 1875 Centennial festivities. Free
ON THE HOUR EVENTS
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM The Bandstand, Monument Square. Weather permitting. Speeches by dignitaries to kick off the Block Party. Free
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Wayside Inn Steppers: Dancing and Reenacting 18th century dance. $
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Native American Performance. Indigenous Drumming with Dr. Claudia Fox Tree $
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Masonic Hall, 58 Monument Sq. Wright Tavern Sing presents One-Day Choir with Kenter Davies—a joyful celebration of singing in harmony for everyone, regardless of musical experience or ability. $
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. Performance by local middle schoolers. “Scenes from the Revolution – A Quarter Millennial Musical.” A series of musical numbers and historical scenes from the Boston Tea Party to the Battles of Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Free
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Coldwell Banker, 11 Main St. Concord250 Sounds: Come and listen to live music! Fabulous professional musicians playing music for the times. In partnership with New England Musicians Resource Fund. Free
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Wayside Inn Steppers: Dancing and Reenacting 18th century dance. $
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Children’s Book Reading of “Rise Up: Powerful Protests in American History” by Barefoot Books of Concord. $
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Masonic Hall*, 58 Monument Sq. The Wright Tavern Sing presents One-Day Choir with Kenter Davies—a joyful celebration of singing in harmony for everyone, regardless of musical experience or ability. $ *Bandstand Weather permitting
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Performance. Daughters of the American Revolution, Liberty Flag Contest Launch
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Performance. Broadside Ballads and Sea Shanties with David Coffin of Revels and Mara Bonde. $
51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. Performance by local middle schoolers. “Scenes from the Revolution – A Quarter Millennial Musical.” A series of musical numbers and historical scenes from the Boston Tea Party to the Battles of Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Free
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. Performance “Bridging Cultures” 90-minute program featuring performers from Japanese drummers to Irish step dancers, Indian dancers and actors.
Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Wayside Inn Steppers: Dancing and Reenacting 18th century dance. $
Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike. Forum with Doris Kearns Goodwin on the American Revolution and Its Legacy. Limited attendance via a stand-by line and livestreamed. Free.
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike. Outdoor concert with the Goodwin Band, finishing with a view of a town-wide drone show. Free.

Bus to the Battle: Concord and Lexington
2025-04-19 04:00 - 10:00 | Hingham Heritage Museum, Main Street 34, Hingham, MA, 02043, United States
Join fellow history lovers for a pre-dawn journey to the 250th-anniversary reenactment of the “shot heard `round the world” – the battles of Concord & Lexington! Following the 6 a.m. reenactment (the actual time these events occurred in 1775), enjoy a hearty breakfast on historic Lexington Green. Options include a plated breakfast at the iconic Inn at Hastings or a classic pancake breakfast hosted by Troop 160. Reservations are required.

Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington
2025-04-19 05:15 - 19:00 | Lexington Battle Green, Lexington Battle Green, Lexington, 02421, United States
The Lexington Minute Men will conduct the 250th Anniversary Reenactment of the Civilian Evacuation of the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Lexington on the Lexington Battle Green on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
According to the Lexington History Museums, on the night of April 18, 1775, over 700 British soldiers were sent from Boston to Concord to destroy a store of ammunition and other supplies for an anticipated war. As dawn approached on the fateful following morning, the town militia of Lexington stood in anxious anticipation to stand in their way. The two groups squared off on the town common, a single, mysterious shot rang out, and the British soldiers opened fire. When the smoke cleared, eight Americans lay dead, another 10 were wounded, and a war for independence had begun.
Each year, the Town of Lexington and a dedicated corps of reenactors recreate this event in real time on its original site. This year, the event will take place on the exact anniversary of the battle.
The passionate and committed groups of reenactors muster around 5 a.m., and the bell in the Belfry will ring and the Battle will commence at 5:15 a.m.
Attendees should arrive early!

Troop 160 Pancake Breakfast
2025-04-19 05:30 - 11:00 | St. Brigid Church, Massachusetts Avenue 2001, Lexington, Massachusetts, 02421, United States
Join us for freshly made pancakes and sausage, oranges and unlimited beverages– hot coffee/tea, hot chocolate, and juice. Matzo, vegetarian sausage and takeaway options available.
When: Saturday April 19, from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Whether you’re an early riser or prefer to sleep in a bit, we’ve got you covered! Come after the re-enactment or take your time getting here.
Where: St. Brigid Church’s Keilty Hall, located at 2001 Massachusetts Avenue.
You’ll find us in the handicapped-accessible basement of St. Brigid Church, just steps away from the excitement of the Town Green re-enactment! Look for signage outside the church main entrance.
Cost: $10 per adult and $5 per child (under 12).
Indulge in a hearty breakfast that supports a great cause. Cash or check payments are gladly accepted. Plus, for your convenience, we’re happy to offer credit card and Apple Pay options, with a nominal fee.
Come for a morning filled with scrumptious food, great company, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping our scouts thrive! Thank you for supporting our sole fund raising event of the year.

Patriots' Day Pancake Breakfast
2025-04-19 06:00 - 10:00 | The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, Lexington, 02420, United States
To celebrate Patriots’ Day, the Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, will host its annual Patriots’ Day Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 19 from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the parish hall. A complete breakfast, including pancakes & sausage, juice and choice of coffee or hot chocolate is offered. Please join us in the Great Hall, a warm, community atmosphere to celebrate the day. Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities.

250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington Patriots’ Day Brunch at The Inn at Hastings Park
2025-04-19 06:00 - 12:00 | The Inn at Hastings Park, The Inn at Hastings Park | Town Meeting Bistro, Lexington, 02421, United States
On this day celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the Inn at Hastings Park’s Town Meeting Bistro will be offering a special Patriot’s Day buffet and á la carte Champagne brunch. Available from after the Battle of Lexington reenactment and before the Town of Lexington’s Patriots’ Day parade. 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. Adults $75, plus tax & gratuity. Includes: appetizer and dessert buffet plus choice of one entrée and mimosa or sparkling wine. Children 4-12 years of age $40, plus tax & gratuity. Children 3 and under eat for free.

Special Patriots' Day Open Hours at Lexington History Museums
2025-04-19 06:00 - 14:00 | Lexington History Museums, 13 Depot Sq, Lexington, 02420, United States
Lexington History Museums is open on a special schedule for April 19! We will be open early to accommodate visitors in town for the big reenactment, and will be closing early to coincide with the afternoon parade. Please see exact hours below.

Lexington Visitors Center Extended Hours
2025-04-19 06:00 - 18:00 | Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, 02420, United States
The Lexington Visitors Center is holding extended hours on Saturday April 19 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. During this time, the Center will be open for anyone looking to purchase unique Lexington gift items, view our famed diorama depicting the Battle of Lexington, and explore history of the U.S.S Lexington.

Concord250 Celebration
2025-04-19 06:00 - 21:00 | Concord, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
April 19 Patriot’ Day:
6 a.m.: Dawn Salute (Muster at Buttrick Hillside at 5:45am, 6am Dawn Salute)
8:30 a.m.: Parade Begins
9:30 a.m.: North Bridge Ceremony
MID-DAY: Parade Ends
1 – 7:30 p.m.: Concord250 Block Party
Concord Museum: Free admission all day
Minute Man National Historical Park events happening all day
7:30 – 8:45 p.m.: Concord250 “Patriots Light”, including Drone Show at 8:15 p.m.
Visit Concord250.org for info on April 19 Weekend road closures, parade maps, transportation, parking and FAQ.

Concord250 April 19 Events
2025-04-19 06:00 - 21:00 | Concord, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
APRIL 19 PATRIOTS’ DAY:
6:00AM: DAWN SALUTE (Muster at Buttrick Hillside at 5:45am, 6am Dawn Salute)
8:30AM: PARADE BEGINS
9:30AM: NORTH BRIDGE CEREMONY
MID-DAY: PARADE ENDS
1-7:30PM: CONCORD250 BLOCK PARTY
CONCORD MUSEUM: Free admission all day
MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK events happening all day
7:30-8:45PM: CONCORD250 “PATRIOTS LIGHT, including DRONE SHOW at 8:15PM
Visit Concord250.org for info on April 19 Weekend road closures, parade maps, transportation, parking and FAQ.

First Baptist Church of Lexington Pancake Breakfast
2025-04-19 06:00 - 22:00 | First Baptist Church of Lexington, 1580 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 02420, United States
First Baptist Church of Lexington is holding their annual Patriot’s Day Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 19th from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. “All you can eat” pancakes, sausages, orange juice and coffee. Adults $8 Children $5. Proceeds benefit local charities. First Baptist Church is located at 1580 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, across from the Police station.

111th Patriots’ Day 5-Mile Road Race
2025-04-19 08:00 - 12:00 | Lexington Battle Green, Lexington Battle Green, Lexington, 02421, United States
Be part of a historic tradition by registering for the 111th Lexington Lions Patriots Day 5 Mile Road Race! Set against the backdrop of scenic Lexington on April 19, 2025, this event not only marks a significant milestone but also embodies the spirit of Patriots Day, a day steeped in American history.
This isn’t just a race; it’s a journey through time, celebrating 111 years of running, community, and tradition. Embrace the opportunity to run where history was made, and contribute to a noble cause – the Lions Club Journey for Sight program. Your participation helps us continue a legacy of service and community engagement.
Don’t miss this milestone event. Join us as we celebrate 111 years of historic runs, community spirit, and charitable impact. Secure your spot at the starting line and be part of history in the making!

Needham2Arlington - Walk
2025-04-19 08:45 - 16:00 | Jason Russell House, 7 Jason Street, Arlington, MA, 02476, United States
250 years ago Needham residents helped repel British attacks on Lexington and Concord. The Needham Militia’s 12.6 mile march to join the battle started at the Townsend Green (Nehoiden and Central Ave) and ended in Arlington by the Jason Russell House (which still stands). The fighting in Arlington was some of the heaviest of the day, and five of Needham’s own gave their lives in the first battle to create our nation.
For those up to the challenge, lace up your sneakers and join your fellow residents on Saturday, April 19, as we walk the 12.6 mile route from Needham to Arlington. At our destination, we will tour the Jason Russell House with its many musket ball strikes, commemorate the sacrifice our fellow townspeople made, and enjoy a packed lunch.
Register today at needhamhistory.org. Participants must sign a release form, and the cost is $30.00. The walk goes through Needham, Wellesley, Newton, Watertown, Belmont, and Arlington. Assuming a roughly 25 minute/mile pace, walkers should arrive at the Jason Russell House around 2:45pm. Participants will need to arrange their own transportation home. Proceeds will help support the Needham History Center & Museum.
Participants must register online with Needham History Center & Museum. This is a walk through history; not a march, not a reenactment, nor a run. A walk.
Visit website: https://needhamhistory.org/

USS Lexington Ceremony
2025-04-19 09:00 - 10:00 | USS Lexington Memorial, Massachusetts Avenue 1875, Lexington, Massachusetts, 02420, United States
Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution​. On the morning of April 19, 1775, colonial militia and British Regulars exchanged the “shot heard ’round the world” on Lexington Green, marking the very beginning of America’s fight for independence​. This annual ceremony honors that legacy – not only remembering the patriots who fell in 1775, but also celebrating the enduring ties between the Town of Lexington and the five U.S. Navy vessels that proudly bore the name “USS Lexington” in later years​. In this Semiquincentennial year, the commemoration is especially meaningful, uniting historians, veterans, local residents, and visitors in tribute to 250 years of courage and sacrifice.
Hosted by:
The Lexington Lions Club, in partnership with the Town of Lexington. Veterans, Gold Star Mothers, and former crew member families of USS Lexington (CV-2 and CV-16) will be honored guests and participants​. Local dignitaries and officials will also be in attendance.
Location: USS Lexington Memorial – adjacent to the Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA​. (Ceremony will take place outdoors, next to the Visitors Center in Lexington Center.)
Admission: Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. No tickets or reservations required.
Accessibility: The memorial site is wheelchair accessible, and seating may be available for seniors/veterans. Visitors Center facilities (restrooms, information desk) will be open for attendees.
Ceremony Highlights
Commemorative Program: The ceremony will begin with a presentation of the colors and the National Anthem. A moment of silence will honor the patriots of 1775 and the naval service members connected to Lexington’s legacy.
Wreath-Laying: In a poignant tribute, wreaths will be laid at the USS Lexington Memorial to honor all who sacrificed – from the Lexington Minutemen who fell on the Green to the sailors who served on the five USS Lexington ships. This solemn wreath-laying is a central part of the observance each year, symbolizing our community’s respect and remembrance.
Guest Speakers: Attendees will hear brief remarks from invited speakers who bring personal and historical perspectives. Local historians will reflect on Lexington’s role at the dawn of the Revolution, while military veterans (including representatives of the USS Lexington CV-16 Association) will share what the name Lexington means to those who served at sea. Town officials and community leaders are also expected to speak, underscoring Lexington’s continued dedication to honoring its history.
Honoring the USS Lexington Legacy: A key theme of the ceremony is celebrating the service of the five naval vessels named Lexington​. The program will highlight stories from each ship’s history – for instance, noting the WW-II exploits of “Lady Lex” and the “Blue Ghost,” or recalling how the first Lexington was named for the very battle we commemorate​. By connecting these narratives, the ceremony paints a vivid picture of Lexington’s impact on American history both on land and at sea.
Community Involvement: The event will include patriotic music performed by the Lexington High School Band. Members of local organizations – from the Lexington Minute Men Company to the Lexington Veterans Association – will participate, standing alongside active-duty military representatives and public safety color guards. This joint involvement emphasizes the community-wide respect for those who defend our freedom.
As this is the Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary, the 2025 ceremony may feature special recognitions. Keep an eye out for any historical reenactors or ceremonial salutes incorporated into the program to mark this once-in-a-generation milestone. The tone of the event will be both educational and commemorative – suitable for history enthusiasts and families alike. Attending the USS Lexington Ceremony is a chance to witness history come alive, and to be part of Lexington’s ongoing story of remembrance and patriotism.
Historical Background: Lexington’s Legacy from 1775 to WWII
The Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775 was the first battle of the American Revolution​. Facing a column of British Redcoats at dawn, Lexington’s minutemen bravely stood their ground; though outnumbered, their defiance sparked a war that would lead to American independence​. The heroism shown on Lexington Green resonated across the colonies and the world, embedding the town’s name in the annals of history. To honor that courageous stand, the young American navy christened one of its first warships USS Lexington in 1776, “renamed in honor of the courageous Lexington minutemen”​. This 16-gun brigantine captured multiple British ships before ultimately being overpowered off the French coast, demonstrating that the spirit of Lexington was present at sea in the Revolution’s earliest days​.
Over the next two centuries, five U.S. Navy ships would carry the name USS Lexington, each embodying the valor and fighting spirit of 1775. The second Lexington (a sloop-of-war launched in 1825) upheld American interests from the Falkland Islands to the coast of Japan in the 1800s​. The third, a Civil War timberclad gunboat, spearheaded Union river operations – fighting in key battles like Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and the Vicksburg campaign​. In the 20th century, the name Lexington reached new prominence with two famed aircraft carriers. USS Lexington (CV-2) – nicknamed “Lady Lex” – was built in Quincy, MA and became one of the U.S. Navy’s first fleet carriers​. In World War II, Lady Lex’s air squadrons scored a crucial victory by sinking the first Japanese aircraft carrier of the war (at the Battle of the Coral Sea), before Lexington (CV-2) was herself lost in that 1942 battle​. Her successor, USS Lexington (CV-16) – the “Blue Ghost” – was also built at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy and commissioned in Boston in 1943​. The Blue Ghost earned an illustrious combat record in the Pacific, participating in 35 engagements and earning 11 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for her service​. (In fact, more aircraft landed on Lexington (CV-16) than on any other carrier in history, a testament to her long service as a training carrier after the war​.) Through each of these vessels – from a Revolutionary War brigantine to a WW-II fleet carrier – the name Lexington has symbolized American perseverance. The annual USS Lexington Ceremony brings this remarkable legacy home, connecting the town’s pivotal Revolutionary moment with the bravery of sailors who served on the Lexington ships in later generations​.
The USS Lexington Memorial in Lexington
Located adjacent to the Lexington Visitors Center, the USS Lexington Memorial is a striking tribute that bridges local and naval history. The memorial consists of five granite markers, each dedicated to one of the five ships named Lexington, and “dedicated to the memory of those who served aboard” these Navy vessels​. Erected in 1988 through a joint effort by the Lexington Lions Club and veterans from USS Lexington (CV-2 and CV-16)​, the monument ensures that the service of all Lexington crews – from 1776 through World War II – is forever remembered in the heart of the town. Each stone marker bears a brief history of a USS Lexington, allowing visitors to reflect on the ships’ heroic exploits (for example, the Civil War gunboat’s valor at Shiloh, or the carriers’ Pacific triumphs) as they stroll through this small memorial park​. Fittingly, the USS Lexington ship’s bell is also on display at the Visitors Center next door, offering a tangible piece of naval history for visitors to see up close​. The memorial has become a beloved landmark—externally viewable year-round​—and a focal point for community remembrance. For decades, Lexington’s citizens and veterans have gathered at this memorial each Patriots’ Day to pay tribute. Every year on the Patriots’ Day holiday (the third Monday in April), the Lexington Lions Club joins forces with surviving crew members of USS Lexington (from the WWII-era carriers) to hold a remembrance ceremony​. This tradition carries on in 2025 with added significance, as the town marks 250 years since the battle that gave Lexington its name. The memorial stands not just as a record of naval history, but as a symbol of the town’s pride and the continuing bond between Lexington and the U.S. armed forces.

Battle Road - Minute Man National Historical Park
2025-04-19 09:00 - 17:00 | Minute Man National Historical Park, 74 Liberty Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
This is the signature living history event at Minute Man National Historical Park, featuring hundreds of volunteer reenactors. Throughout the day, learn about the events of April 19, 1775, from many points of view. Enjoy a full schedule of living history programs and demonstrations, including a fast-paced tactical demonstration along a restored stretch of the original Battle Road! Talk with volunteers portraying colonial civilians forced to leave their homes, minute men who answered the sudden call to arms, British soldiers fighting for king and country and Loyalists who saw the struggle differently from their neighbors. This is the largest, most historically accurate tactical demonstration occurring during Patriots’ Day weekend.
Detailed Schedule:
Sunrise Minute Man National Historical Park grounds open
9:00 am Minute Man Visitor Center open
9:30 am- 11:30 am Hartwell Tavern open house
9:30 am- 11:30 am Captain William Smith open house
9:30 am- 4:30 pm Living History Area at Minute Man Visitor Center
11:30 am Hartwell Tavern/ Elm Brook Hill Area Closed
11:45 am ***Elm Brook Hill Tactical Demonstration***
12:30 pm- 4:30 pm Hartwell Tavern Open House
1:00 pm ***Parker’s Revenge Tactical Demonstration***
1:30 pm- 4:30 pm Living History Area at Minute Man Visitor Center Open
1:45 pm Program details coming soon.
3:00 pm After the Battle program at Hartwell Tavern
3:00 pm- 4:30 pm Nathan Meriam Open House: Additional program details coming soon.
3:00 pm Additional program details coming soon.
4:30 pm Historic Houses closed
5:00 pm Minute Man Visitor Center closed
Dusk Minute Man National Historical Park grounds closed
This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park.

Sounding the Alarm, April 19, 2025
2025-04-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Old Parish Cemetery, Norwood MA, Washington Street 480, Norwood, Massachusetts, 02062, United States
Old Parish Preservation Volunteers (OPPV) of Norwood, Massachusetts will be hosting a ceremony in Old Parish Cemetery on Saturday, April 19, 2025 beginning at 10:00 am. This event will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the sixty men from South Dedham (now Norwood) who answered the alarm of April 19, 1775. Twenty of these men are interred in Old Parish Cemetery. Norwood’s Tilton Carillon in Norwood’s Town Hall will sound the alarm at 10:00am as Norwood’s Colonial Boys fife and drum corps lead the procession to the Old Parish Cemetery to place flowers on the graves of Patriots interred there. The public is invited to join the procession from Town Hall to the Cemetery.

Gallery Talk: Rebels, Rights & Revolution: Battles of Lexington and Concord
2025-04-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Massachusetts Historical Society, Boylston Street 1154, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Join Reference Librarian Lauren Gray for a gallery talk on the exhibition “1775: Rebels, Rights & Revolution,” which charts major Massachusetts events in the first year of the American Revolution. Lauren will delve into the impact of the Battles of Lexington and Concord using related exhibition items. Visitors are invited to explore the rest of the exhibition and ask questions.

East Longmeadow Celebrates the Revolution
2025-04-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Massachusetts
On Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m., East Longmeadow will celebrate the anniversary of the American Revolution with a ceremony on the lawn in front of Town Hall.
The American Legion will parade from their Legion Hall and the Historical Commission will remember the minutemen who lived in what would become our town and others who served the American cause in the Revolution.

American Elm Tree Dedication in Honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington
2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00 | The lawn behind Buckman Tavern in Lexington Center, 1 Bedford Street, Lexington, 02420, United States
Hosted by the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this public ceremony will include a tree dedication service, U.S. Flag rituals, patriotic music by the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps, and participation by the Lexington Minute Men.

18th Century Encampment & Muster
2025-04-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Thomas Smith House, North West Street 251, Agawam, Massachusetts, 01030, United States
The Agawam Historical Association will host an 18th century encampment and militia muster with the 25th Continental Regiment and Green Valley Homestead reenactment groups at the historic Thomas Smith House, 251 North West Street, Feeding Hills on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Shot Heard Round the World, and the call to arms responding to the 19 April 1775 battles of Lexington and Concord,
The day’s events will include children’s activities, demonstrations of blacksmithing, tinsmithing, open fire cooking, textile arts, and musket drills. Attendees will be able to “volunteer” for military service and drill with the 25th Continental Regiment, who will provide instruction with wooden muskets.
The National Register-listed Thomas Smith House, which had been standing for nearly two decades when the events being commemorated took place, will be open for tours, as well its preserved 1920s garage.
This event is free and open to the public.

Littleton Patriots Day Celebration!
2025-04-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Liberty Square and Fay Park, Litteton, New Estate Road 81, Littleton, MA, 01460, United States
All-day event. At 10 AM at Liberty Square, we will hear short speeches on the importance of Patriot’s Day and lay wreaths and play Taps to honor Littleton Revolutionary War patriots. From 11 AM to 3 PM at Fay Park and the Littleton Historical Society, join us for games, crafts, horses, a fire truck, and a food truck, and the Boxborough Minutemen will conduct a musket salute in the afternoon.

Battle Green Rededication
2025-04-19 11:00 - 12:30 | Lexington Battle Green, Lexington Battle Green, Lexington, 02421, United States
After the 250th Battle of Lexington Anniversary Reenactment, the morning will pivot to an exciting and never-before-seen Patriotic Performance and demonstration by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, in a stunning audio/visual event meant to pay homage to America’s fight for liberty from 1775 to the present day.

Patriots' Day on Lynnfield Common
2025-04-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Massachusetts
11 a.m.
Children’s Workshop in the Meeting House
Hat making. Children (and others) will make paper tri-cornered hats and be given a “Capt. Bancroft’s Company” flag. Demonstrations by reenactors during this time.
12:40 p.m.
The story of Martin Herrick and the Lynn End Militia.
12:45 p.m.
The arrival of Martin Herrick
Immediately following:
March to Menotomy
Militia follows fifer and drummer. Proceed to end of Common.
Militia returns. Presents “Mourn Arms”
Wreath-laying at the new War Memorial
18th century music
2 p.m. on the stage – Patriotic concert, with the Reading Community Concert Band
All events free and open to the public
