EXPLORE LEXINGTON: HISTORIC SITES
Buckman Tavern
1 Bedford Street 781-862-5598 CLOSED for the 2020 season. Reopening March 6, 2021. Exhibit and self-paced audio tour. Built in 1710, this central tavern on the Green was a gathering place for both locals and travelers and the site of many important town meetings. Captain Parker and his militia gathered in this tavern in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775, to await the oncoming British Redcoat troops. Buckman Tavern also is home to Lexington Historical Society's Museum Shop. Last entry in to the tavern and the shop is at 4:00 pm. If you can't make it to the shop in person, please visit our online shop. For Group Reservations please contact the Education and Interpretation Manager at 781-862-3763 or at ckauffman@lexingtonhistory.org. *Audio tour available in English, French, Italian, Mandarin, Hebrew, Spanish, German, and Japanese.* 
Hancock-Clarke House
36 Hancock Street 781-861-0928 CLOSED for the 2020 season. Reopening April 3, 2021. Built in 1737, this house was the parsonage for the town of Lexington during the 18th century. Visit the home of Reverend Jonas Clarke where patriot guests John Hancock and Samuel Adams were awakened by Paul Revere and his famous warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775. Highlights: First Shot: The Day the Revolution Began orientation film, Treasures of the Revolution exhibit, Colonial herb garden. Last tour of the house begins at 4:00 pm. For Group Reservations, please contact the Education and Interpretation Manager at 781-862-3763 or ckauffman@lexingtonhistory.org |
“They make history come alive and when you look out the window you can almost see the Redcoats coming”
- Trip Advisor ® 
“[The Hancock-Clarke house has] a great introductory video”
- Trip Advisor ® 
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Munroe Tavern
1332 Massachusetts Ave 781-862-0295 CLOSED for the 2020 season. Reopening April 3, 2021. Built in 1735, this important tavern was taken over and used by the British Redcoat troops on their retreat back to Boston in the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Learn about the British perspective of the day’s events and see where President Washington dined when he visited Lexington and this Tavern in 1789. Highlights: Relics of the Redcoats exhibit, Garden of Colonial Flowers. Last entry into the tavern is at 4 PM. For Group Reservations, please contact the Education and Interpretation Manager at 781-862-3763 or ckauffman@lexingtonhistory.org. |
“History is brought to life”
- Trip Advisor ® 
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Lexington Green
Outdoor attraction, open year round Summer: staffed Battle Green Guides See the Lexington Green where the first battle of the American Revolution took place on April 19, 1775. Visit the historical markers and monuments on your own, or schedule a group tour . Visit in April to see the reenactment of this famous battle. The Battle Green is attended to by colonial period costumed guides for most of the spring, summer and fall seasons. 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. |
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Old Belfry
Outdoor attraction, open year-round The Belfry was located on the Lexington Common (noted with a stone marker today) during the 18th century where it summoned people to worship and tolled for deaths and alarms. From this Belfry, the alarm was sounded on the morning of April 19, 1775, calling the militia to the Common. The Belfry that stands today is an exact replica, built by the Historical Society in 1910, after the original was destroyed in a gale in 1909. A 19th century bell now hangs in the Belfry and is tolled each year to signal the start of the Patriots’ Day reenactment. |
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Old Burying Ground
Outdoor attraction, open year-round The Old Burying Ground dates back to 1690 and contains the remains of many well-known Lexingtonians, including the grave of Captain John Parker, ministers John Hancock and Jonas Clarke and their spouses, and an unnamed Redcoat soldier who was wounded in Lexington during the battle on April 19, 1775 and died a few days later. Join us Fridays June through October at 1:00 PM for "Stories in Stone", a guided tour of the Old Burying Ground. This hour-long tour explores the history of gravestone art as well as the stories of the people buried beneath them. Tours are $5 for adults (16 and under free) and may be purchased at Buckman Tavern on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. This is a walking tour and involves crossing busy streets, and walking and standing on uneven, unshaded ground. Sturdy shoes and sunscreen are recommended. |
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