Concord, Mass., was a hotbed of rebellion that contributed to the start of the American Revolution. And less than 50 years later, it was a hotbed of ideas and literary giants. Our time in the Minuteman National Historical Park opened our eyes to the risks willingly taken by men who believed in liberty more than their own lives...and in many cases sacrificed all. The "shot heard round the world" that sparked the Revolution took place in this tiny community, when 400 patriots from the village and the surrounding towns stood up to 700 British Regulars--"Redcoats"--and beat them back to Boston. The militia numbers eventually swelled to thousands as men heard of the fighting and joined in to defend their way of life. None of these brave men had any idea of the world-altering effect of their actions.
Hearing the facts of Paul Revere's ride (which was never completed...Concord was warned by one of his fellow riders), and later seeing one of the two lanterns that shone from the Old North Church as he had instructed, was fantastic. Part of our education today involved speaking with Minutemen (rangers re-enacting them), militia who were ready at a moment's notice to defend their communities. And as always, the kids' Junior Ranger books gave us insights and activities that made this special park all the more real. Perhaps our favorite spot was the Old North Bridge, where the British and militia engaged each other in a full-scale battle following the Redcoat attacks on a small band of patriots just up the road on the Lexington Common. The bridge spans a peaceful stream in a setting of utter tranquility. To recognize its significance in world history was spine-tingling.
The natural beauty of the area regained its foothold following the carnage of the Revolution. The trees and serenity of Concord gave birth to the Transcendentalist Movement, promoted by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and her family, and many other noteworthy people. The movement espoused the divine being accessible through nature.
Tomorrow we'll revisit the Revolution from the perspective of John Adams, visiting his home south of Boston. It's so much fun having my mom with us; she doesn't seem to mind sharing our cramped lifestyle in Teensie. The more, the merrier!
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| Kelsey and Granny reading about Paul Revere's ride from Boston |
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| The girls enjoyed chatting with Mr. Hartwell, a patriot who owned a tavern on the Battle Road |
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A beautiful swath of wild flowers seems at odds with the history of this place...the road leading back to Boston, along which the British were forced to flee--with much loss of life. |
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| The famous Minuteman Statue, which stands on the western end of the bridge (below), in honor of the patriots. |
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| Old North Bridge (rebuilt) |
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Kendall and Kelsey being honored as brand-new junior rangers |
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