Merrimack Valley is full of history. It’s where the American Revolution began, where many famous authors got inspiration for their stories, and much more. So if you’re a history buff, you need to plan out a trip to this incredible area. You can day-trip to one of these most historic towns, or you can plan a week-long road trip throughout the area. Stop at historic sites, visit museums, and stay at old inns that have a historic claim to fame.
Lexington – Home of the American Revolution
First settled in 1642, Lexington has a rich colonial history that cannot be overlooked. It’s the home of American Liberty, being where the battle that started the American Revolution took place on April 19, 1775. You can actually see reenactments of this battle on the Lexington Battle Green every Patriot’s Day and walk around to explore monuments and historic sites.
If you’d prefer a guided tour of Lexington, the Lexington Historical Society provides public guided tours of important historic sites. This includes the Hancock-Clarke House, where Paul Revere rode to that fateful night; Buckman Tavern, the gathering place of the Lexington militia; and Munroe Tavern, which was a British field office and hospital on April 19, 1775. You can also learn more about the town’s history by taking a tour with Liberty Ride, where you’ll get a 90-minute trolley ride to see the historic sites of Lexington and Concord.
Concord – Inspiration to Famous Authors
Another town famous for its involvement in the Revolutionary War, is Concord. First settled by the English as a frontier outpost, it was the first interior, non-tidal water town in Massachusetts. It retains stunning, well-preserved colonial homes that are beautiful to look at. You can stay in comfort at the Concord’s Colonial Inn, which played an integral role in America’s Revolutionary War and was once home to noted author Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Speaking of Emerson, Concord was also home to several famous authors. Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathanial Hawthorne all called Concord home at some point. Some of their works were even inspired by life in Concord, from Alcott’s Little Women to Thoreau’s Walden. You can even visit where some of them lived, like the Wayside and Walden Pond.
Lowell – the City of Industry
Lowell is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts and was the heart of New England’s Industrial Revolution. It was the nation’s first planned manufacturing center for textiles, which you can learn about in-depth at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Here you’ll learn about the Lowell Mill Girls who drastically changed the manufacturing industry. You can also hear the roar of a working 1920s weave room.
Lowell was also the site of the last Pow-Wow Oak in New England. Over 300 years old, this oak was believed to have been the gathering site for pow-wows held by the Wamesit tribe. They congregated at this site for thousands of years, with both the land and tree being considered sacred. The tree was taken down after a windstorm revealed decay that had compromised the integrity of the upper branches. There is now a monument dedicated to it next to the stump.
When planning out your vacation to the Merrimack Valley, you’d better not miss these historic towns. Bring your history books and be sure to take lots of pictures! It’ll be an unbeatable learning experience.