Buckman Tavern
Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford St. Open daily April through October, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Buckman Tavern is located on Lexington Common at 1 Bedford Street. In this ancient hostelry, built circa 1710, several dozen minutemen gathered in the early hours of the morning on April 19, 1775, to await the arrival of the British expedition in Lexington.
Definite word of the progress of the British troops reached the tavern just before sunrise. Responding to the beating of William Diamond’s drum and the ringing of the alarm bell in the Belfry, Captain Parker’s company of minutemen left the security of John Buckman’s tavern to assemble in two long lines on the common. About seventy-seven colonists made the fateful stand. Following the arrival of the British, a single shot was fired: with this shot the American Revolution began.
Although best known as the headquarters of the minutemen, Buckman Tavern is also note-worthy as one of Lexington’s busiest eighteenth century tavern - its central location making it convenient both for churchgoers during their Sunday nooning and for drovers bringing their herds to market.
The interior of Buckman Tavern appears today very much as it did on that fateful morning in 1775, having been restored in the 1920′s by the Lexington Historical Society. During this restoration, the original seven foot-wide taproom fireplace was rediscovered and the bar was reinstalled. Among the many items on display is the old front door, with its bullet hole made by a British musket ball during the Battle, and a portrait of John Buckman, the proprietor of the tavern in 1775.
Buckman Tavern is open daily April 1 - October. Group tours may be arranged by appointment year-round. Minimum fee in the off-season is $75; during the season on a per capita basis. Telephone: 781–862–4731.
More Information
Definite word of the progress of the British troops reached the tavern just before sunrise. Responding to the beating of William Diamond’s drum and the ringing of the alarm bell in the Belfry, Captain Parker’s company of minutemen left the security of John Buckman’s tavern to assemble in two long lines on the common. About seventy-seven colonists made the fateful stand. Following the arrival of the British, a single shot was fired: with this shot the American Revolution began.
Although best known as the headquarters of the minutemen, Buckman Tavern is also note-worthy as one of Lexington’s busiest eighteenth century tavern - its central location making it convenient both for churchgoers during their Sunday nooning and for drovers bringing their herds to market.
The interior of Buckman Tavern appears today very much as it did on that fateful morning in 1775, having been restored in the 1920′s by the Lexington Historical Society. During this restoration, the original seven foot-wide taproom fireplace was rediscovered and the bar was reinstalled. Among the many items on display is the old front door, with its bullet hole made by a British musket ball during the Battle, and a portrait of John Buckman, the proprietor of the tavern in 1775.
Buckman Tavern is open daily April 1 - October. Group tours may be arranged by appointment year-round. Minimum fee in the off-season is $75; during the season on a per capita basis. Telephone: 781–862–4731.
More Information
- Wikipedia: Buckman Tavern
- National Park Service: Buckman Tavern
- Aerial Photo of Buckman Tavern
