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Plan Your Visit
Attractions
The Lexington Historical Society in Lexington, Massachusetts preserves and celebrates Lexington’s history, with a special emphasis on the town’s important role in the beginning of the American Revolution. The Society presents entertaining and educational programs for adults, children and families all year-round in the Lexington Depot.
The Society manages three nationally historic house museums: the Hancock-Clarke House, Paul Revere’s Lexington destination; Buckman Tavern, the gathering place of the Lexington militia on April 19, 1775; and Munroe Tavern, temporary British field headquarters during the retreat from Concord to Boston. Guided tours of these houses are available April through October, with tours by appointment during the off-season. An important part of our mission is our educational programs that focus on Colonial life and the American Revolution for elementary, middle and high school students.
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Buckman Tavern
Daily April through October
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Hancock-Clarke House
Daily June 1 through October
Weekends April through June 1
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Munroe Tavern
Daily June 1 through October
Weekends April through June 1
12 noon to 4 p.m.
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Old Belfry
Outdoor attraction
Open year-round
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Old Burying Ground
Outdoor attraction
Open year-round
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Lexington Green
Outdoor attraction
Open year-round
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Hours
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Buckman Tavern: Open daily through November 1st, 10 AM - 4 PM with tours every half hour.
Hancock-Clarke House: Open daily through November 1st, 10 AM - 4 PM with tours hourly.
Munroe Tavern: Open daily through November 1st, 12 - 4 PM with tours hourly.
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Admission
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FIRST SHOT! Package: $10/adult, $6/child - all houses; ticket good for one year.
$6/adult, $4/child - one house only.
- Tickets may be purchased at any of the houses
- Lexington Historical Society members receive free admission
- Child Rate is for ages 6 - 16
- Children under 6 receive free admission
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Directions
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Our historic houses are located in Lexington, Massachusetts, near the Center of town. You can reach Lexington via Route 95/128 (via exit 31A, Bedford Street/Rt 225) and Route 2 (via the Waltham Street exit). Follow signs to Lexington Center.
Interactive Map
The Google Map below shows the locations of the historic houses, plus the Lexington Green and the Lexington Depot, headquarters of the Lexington Historical Society. Click on the Coupla Info icon for an orientation.
View Lexington Historical Society Properties in a larger map.
Public Transportation
From Boston and Cambridge via public transportation: Take the MBTA subway Red Line to Alewife Station. Bus routes #76 Hanscom Air Base and #62 Bedford VA Hospital run to and from Alewife Station. Travel time one way is about 25 minutes. Buses run frequently during peak hours, traveling along Massachusetts Avenue and making stops in Lexington Center.
Parking
Buckman Tavern is located off of Massachusetts Avenue and Bedford Street, across from the Lexington Battle Green. Free two hour parking is available around the Lexington Battle Green, or you may park behind the Lexington Depot Building for $2/day.
The Munroe Tavern is approximately one mile east of Lexington Center at 1332 Massachusetts Avenue. It has plenty of free parking, or can be reached by the Lexpress Bus leaving from the Depot building every half hour.
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Plan Your Visit to Lexington
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Come Linger in Lexington
The Lexington Historical Society’s three Revolutionary house museums—Buckman Tavern, the Hancock-Clarke House, and Munroe Tavern—are open every day during the Society’s open season—April through October—for guided tours on a walk-in basis, or by special arrangement during the off-season.
The Society also sponsors a ninety-minute guided Walking Tour of the town center and historic sites by prior reservation.
The famous Battle Green, where the first blood of the Revolution was spilled on April 19th, 1775, the Old Burying Ground, where many of our most famous Colonials now rest in peace, and the Old Belfry are all open for visiting and exploration on your own any day before sundown.
The town’s Visitor’s Center is open daily until 5:00 (4:00 in winter), and Lexington is also home to a wide variety of delicious and fun restaurants and interesting shops.
The center of Lexington and most of its historic sites are easily walk-able. Park your car in any of Lexington’s convenient and easy parking locations: All day in the municipal lot behind the Historical Society’s Depot Building, at 13 Depot Square, for $2/day or on an hourly basis; at any of the metered spaces behind the center stores or along the side streets for up to two hours; all around the Battle Green free for up to two hours. Free parking is also available at both the Hancock-Clarke House and Munroe Tavern (a mile east of the center) during your house tours.
Lexington can also be reached by public transportation (except Sundays), and the famous Minuteman Bikeway comes right through the center of town.
Come spend a day with us in historic Lexington!
9:00 a.m. Come into town early enough to savor a delicious cup of coffee and pastry at any of our many coffee shops. Or, there are several restaurants that can give you a relaxing full course breakfast.
10:00 a.m. Start your exploration of the beginning of the American Revolution with a visit to the Hancock-Clarke House (guided tours hourly starting at 10:00). You can purchase your discounted “First Shot!” ticket for tours of all three of Lexington’s historic house museums there. This elegant and beautifully restored 1737 parsonage was the destination of Paul Revere and William Dawes on their famous Midnight Ride. Your tour will begin with a fascinating and informative orientation film that will answer the question, “Why Lexington, and why April 1775?”
10:50 a.m. Walk the pretty quarter mile back up Hancock Street to the Buckman Tavern Museum Shop and browse through their ample selection of books for all ages on the Revolution and other Colonial style gift items suitable for the whole family. Be sure to ask the Shop staff for a map and guide to the sites on the Green.
11:30 a.m. Head to the museum entrance of Buckman Tavern and have a guided tour (available every half hour) to learn all about the Lexington militiamen who gathered at this public house nervously anticipating the arrival of the British Redcoats. See the huge original Tap Room fireplace and Mrs. Buckman’s beehive oven, view authentic Colonial muskets, and learn about the important role of taverns in Colonial life.
12:00 noon. Pick up sandwiches at one of our restaurants or deli’s for your picnic on the Green or on the Buckman Tavern grounds. Or stop in at any of our restaurants for a sit-down lunch. Include a stop at the town’s Visitor’s Center, right behind Buckman Tavern, for more gift items and information.
1:00 p.m. After lunch, walk out onto the famous Lexington Battle Green to stand in the place where it all happened! The town of Lexington often has costumed guides on the Green in season to answer your questions. Walk across Harrington Road and turn left in front of First Parish Church, continuing down that side of the road a short way to find the entrance to the Old Burying Ground. There, you will be able to find the gravesites of most of Lexington’s well-known Colonials who have been featured in your house tours. Spend some time noticing the wide variety of headstones and carvings. Return to the Green and walk across Massachusetts Avenue and find the path up Belfry Hill to view the replica of the old Belfry that was down on the Green at the time of the Battle.
2:00 p.m. Before heading to Munroe Tavern, you may want to check out the antique store and various shops on both sides of Massachusetts Avenue. Stop for an ice cream cone or homemade fudge.
2:30 p.m. Head out of town going east one mile, and stop in at Munroe Tavern for their 3:00 guided tour (tours hourly, last tour at 4:00). There you will hear the Redcoat side to the story and learn all about the British regular soldiers’ harrowing retreat back from Concord under heavy fire and their temporary respite at this home and tavern. Find out who was a very important guest of the Munroes at this house 14 years later.
From Munroe Tavern, it is easy to get back on the highway to your evening destination.
Or spend half a day with us!
9:00 a.m. Come into town early enough to enjoy coffee and a pastry at one of our numerous coffee shops, or a relaxing full breakfast at several restaurant locations.
10:00 a.m. Arrive at the Hancock-Clarke House in time to purchase your “First Shot!” ticket for all three houses and take their 10:00 guided tour.
10:50 a.m. Walk back up Hancock Street to Buckman Tavern, and have the guided tour there at 11:00 (tours available every half hour).
11:30 a.m. Stop in at the Buckman Tavern Museum Shop to pick up some books on the American Revolution or other gift items. Be sure to pick up the guide and map to the Battle Green for a self-guided visit across the road at the famous Lexington Battle Green where it all happened! Speak with a Battle Green guide, if available.
12:00 noon. Pick up sandwiches at one of our restaurants or deli’s for your picnic on the Green or on the Buckman Tavern grounds. Or stop in at any of our restaurants for a sit-down lunch. Plan a visit to the town’s Visitor’s Center right behind Buckman Tavern for more gift items and information.
12:45 p.m. Head out of town going east one mile, and stop in at Munroe Tavern for their 1:00 half-hour guided tour on the British Redcoats. Find out who was a very important guest of the Munroes at their home 14 years later.
From Munroe Tavern, it is easy to get back on the highway to your afternoon destination.
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Battle Green Guides
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Take a Free Tour of the Lexington Battle Green and
Visit the Old Burying Grounds On Your Own
The Battle Green is attended to by colonial period costumed guides for most of the spring, summer and fall seasons. The Battle Green is not part of the Minuteman National Historic Park nearby, but the guides, who are employees of the Town of Lexington, serve a function similar to park rangers. They give free tours of the Green including a detailed account of the events of April 19, 1775 and can answer other questions regarding Lexington’s history and attractions.
Tours are not scheduled and occur randomly as visitors arrive and seek to learn about our important place in history. Look for a guide in colonial period costume and join the free tour.
Guides are generally on duty from 9am to 5pm during the popular summer months. During other months the hours vary. Private tours of the Battle Green and surrounding area can also be scheduled through the Lexington Historical Society at 781–862–1703 or 781–862–5598.
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Other attractions
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Walk Lexington Historic District – After your visits at Buckman Tavern and the Hancock-Clarke House, pick up a self-guided walking tour brochure and take time to visit the Lexington Green, the Old Belfry and The Old Burying Ground. Visit with a Battle Green guide during the summer season to learn more about the battle.
The Liberty Ride - The Liberty Ride, run by the Town of Lexington, is a narrated bus tour of historic sites in Lexington and Concord. From the Liberty Ride website:
Visit the birthplaces of American liberty and 19th century literature! Board a classic trolley to ride along the historic Battle Road while your costumed guide recounts the exciting events of April 19, 1775 and the literary legacy that defined American culture and identity.
The bus tour is 90 minutes long and departs at 10:30 AM, noon, 1:30 PM and 3 PM from the National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, daily from Memorial Day to the end of October. Tickets are $25/adults, $10/students and free for children under 5. Tickets are available at the National Heritage Museum, Lexington Visitors’ Center, Buckman Tavern, and the Colonial Inn in Concord. Admission to Lexington’s historic houses is included with the Liberty Ride ticket. See The Liberty Ride for more information.
Minute Man National Historical Park is located in the towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord. From the Park’s website:
At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of the Concord authors.
Closest to Lexington, the Minute Man Visitor Center is located on Route 2A in Lincoln and is open daily, 9:00 - 5:00, March 25 - November 1, 2009; and open daily, 9:00 - 4:00 November 2 - 29 (closed Thanksgiving). The Center presents an excellent multimedia presentation on the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and offers information on what to do and see throughout the park. Admission is free. See the Minute Man National Historical Park website for more information.
National Heritage Museum - The National Heritage Museum, located at 33 Marrett Road in Lexington, is a museum of American culture with changing exhibits. From the Museum’s website:
Our focus is the rich diversity of American life across four centuries — how we as a people have worked and played, struggled and achieved. Each year we hold as many as 18 changing exhibitions in our six versatile galleries.
For visitors to Lexington, the Museum’s exhibit on the beginnings of the American Revolution – Seeds of Liberty – may be of special interest. Several items from the collection of the Lexington Historical Society are on display in this exhibit.
The Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM – 4:30 PM, and Sundays from noon – 4:30 PM. Admission is free. See The National Heritage Museum website for more information.
For Children – Pick up a Historic Lexington Scavenger Hunt at one of the three historic houses and have fun searching for answers in the houses and around town.
Eat in Or Carry Out – Enjoy a meal or snack at any of Lexington’s many restaurants. The Lexington Historical Society invites you to picnic on the grounds of the Hancock-Clarke House or Munroe Tavern before or after your tour.
Shopping – The Buckman Tavern Museum Shop carries high quality Colonial reproductions in pewter, tin, glass, and wood. It also features a wide selection of books on the Revolution and Colonial life, including titles suitable for children of all ages. The Relinquished Treasures Antique Shop at Munroe Tavern offers a variety of lovely china, silver, glassware, artwork, antique linens, jewelry and furniture all donated to the Society for resale.
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Maps of Lexington History
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Battles of Lexington, Conord, and Seige of Boston Map
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