Minute Man National Historical Park News Release
Release date: Immediate
Contact(s): Phil Lupsiewicz
Phone number: 978 318-7833
Date: June 28, 2016
Release code: 16-15
Celebrate July 4th
Weekend at Minute Man National Historical Park
Concord, MA. The National Park Service (NPS) will once again host its annual celebration of Independence Day at Minute Man National Historical Park. In addition, the park will present several programs and celebrate all weekend long. Join us beginning Saturday, July 2nd right through Monday, July 4th. Come and join us in the celebration and also celebrate the Centennial of your National Park service at Minute Man National Historical Park.
Town Meeting: Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Saturday, July 2 at 1:30 and 3:00
At the North Bridge, Concord
Time: 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Admission is free
It’s January, 1774 and word has reached the Town of Concord about the turbulence in Boston and the destruction of the East India tea. Will the town vote to support the Boston patriots and ban the consumption of tea? Debate revolutionary issues with Concord residents of 1774 (portrayed by The Guild of Historic Interpreters.) In the spirit of a true New England town meeting, you are encouraged to take part and let your voice be heard!
Declaring Independence- Then and Now
Saturday, July 2 at 4:30 p.m.
At the Minute Man Visitor Center, , 250 North Great Road, Lincoln MA
Admission is free
In the spring of 1776, the Massachusetts Assembly sought to know the hearts and minds of the people. They charged each town with debating and resolving a critical question: Should the colonies declare independence from Great Britain? Once the Continental Congress declared independence each town was ordered to have their ministers read the declaration and to record the fact in their town records.
General Washington book signing by author, John Koopman.
Sunday, July 3 at 1:00 p.m.
At the Minute Man Visitor Center, , 250 North Great Road, Lincoln MA
Admission is free
General Washington arrives. A first person portrayal by John Koopman.
Sunday, July 3 at 2:30 p.m.
At the Minute Man Visitor Center, , 250 North Great Road, Lincoln MA
Admission is free
First person presentation as General Washington at the amphitheater outside the Minute Man Visitor Center.
“WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS THE FOURTH OF JULY?”
Monday, July 4th, at 11:00a.m.
At The Robbins House, 320 Monument Street, Concord, MA.
Admission is free
When our nation declared its independence from Britain, it continued to hold thousands of people in chains. This 4th of July the Robbins House and our partners at Minute Man National Historical Park will engage participants in an exploration of one of our nation’s most important founding documents, the Declaration of Independence. Whose independence did it declare? What does it mean to be a citizen? What does it mean to be a patriot?
Come be a part of the communal reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” sponsored by Mass Humanities. This year, The Robbins House will partner the reading of Douglass’ speech with the Minute Man National Historical Park reading of the Declaration of Independence. Costumed readers will voice different eras of African American civil rights activism, while visitors take part in reading Frederick Douglass’ speech.
Join us after the readings for a moderated audience discussion with Brandeis Africana Studies professors Greg Childs and Abby Cooper.
Declaring Independence
Monday, July 4 at 1:00 p.m.
At the North Bridge, Concord
Admission is free.
The fighting at North Bridge, on April 19, 1775, set the 13 British Colonies in North America on a path towards independence, which became a reality 14 months later when the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia. Join park rangers and volunteers as we mark the occasion with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Directions From I-95: Take exit 30B. You will be on Route 2A west. The park is 1-mile west off ramp.From MassPike: Take I-95 Exit (exit 14) and follow above directions. From Route 2: Follow Route 2 to I-95 North. Proceed north one exit to 30B.
Minute Man Visitor Center
250 North Great Road, Lincoln MA.
PLEASE NOTE: This is the address for most electronic mapping programs. If you use iMaps, please use: 3151 Marrett Rd., Lexington, MA.. We apologize for any inconvenience.
North Bridge and North Bridge Visitor Center:
174 Liberty St. Concord MA.
North Bridge: Follow directions above. Continue on Rt 2A. for approx. 2.5 miles. Bear right onto Lexington Road. Continue for approx. 3 miles to Concord Center. Take a right onto Monument St. Parking for North Bridge is 0.5 miles on the right.
North Bridge Visitor Center: In Concord Center, take a right onto Monument St. Continue for approx. 1/2 a mile. Cross the River and take a left on Liberty St. The North Bridge Visitor Center is at the top of the hill on your left.
To learn more about this and other park offerings of Minute Man National Historical Park during this centennial year of the National Park Service, including the Junior Ranger program, The Wayside, ranger-led tours, and upcoming special events stop by the Minute Man Visitor Center at 250 Great Road, Lincoln, MA, or contact Minute Man National Historical Park at (978) 369-6993, or visit www.nps.gov/mima.
