In the center of Concord, Massachusetts, stands The Wright Tavern, built in 1747. It operated as a place where people gathered, debated and engaged in actions to protect their rights. It is one of the few buildings in Concord that has remained fundamentally unchanged. The Wright Tavern also played host to several notable events.
At around 2:00 AM on April 19, 1775, Dr. Samuel Prescott arrived in Concord, having just escaped capture by the British while riding with Paul Revere and William Dawes. He engaged the courthouse caretaker to ring the bell, alerting the citizens of Concord that the British Regulars were coming to Concord. Shortly thereafter, over 150 minutemen and militia met in and around the Wright Tavern as this was the agreed meeting place. They planned and prepared how to respond to the impending military action.
Later that morning, over 700 British Regulars marched into Concord after completing a short battle in Lexington. Their mission was to search the town and seize all munitions and supplies of the growing rebel cause. They established their headquarters in the Wright Tavern. Later that day, having been defeated at the North Bridge and fooled and misled by the Concord citizens, the Regulars left with a failed mission on a long and treacherous march back to Boston.
After serval years of study, analysis and priority repairs, the building is now open for private tours and for hosting meetings, events, and celebrations. It will be open occasionally for special events in Concord’s history.