Lex250

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert
2024-06-25 19:15 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Wind band concert at the Levi Burnell Bandstand in Hastings park.
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. including intermission.
Bring picnics, beach chairs, blankets. For cancellation information, call (781) 698-4647.

Lexington Celebrates! Walking Tour
2024-06-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Parades, pageants and pandemonium have defined the many commemorations of the 1775 Battle of Lexington and the first shots of the War for Independence. Over the centuries, thousands of people have descended upon the Battle Green to welcome Revolutionary War heroes like the Marquis de Lafayette on his tour of America in 1824. The anniversaries of the battle offered them a glimpse of President Grant in 1875 and a word from President Ford in 1975. On this land, protestors have sat and monuments have been built to the fallen. Join a Lexington Historical Society educator as they illuminate 250 years of stories full of crowds, chaos and celebrations!

FREE! Space is limited to 20 people. Registration is required.

Starting and ending at Buckman Tavern, this tour explores areas around the Lexington Battle Green. The tour is 1 hour long and covers about a 1/2 mile on flat ground.

This walking tour is featured in the 2024 Connecting Communities: Walks & Talks series, “How We Remember.” Connecting Communities: Walks & Talks is part of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s larger interpretive strategy which aims to provide life-long learning opportunities to residents and visitors, connecting them to local landscapes while raising awareness of and inspiring support for conservation and preservation initiatives in the region.

Boston International Asian Music Festival
2024-06-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Lexington Visitor’s Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
The 4th annual Boston International Asian Music Festival will once again stop in Lexington on its four-town tour. The Lexington-Belmont concert will be held at the Visitor Center lawn starting at 5 pm on Saturday, June 22. Dubbed the “Tanglewood of Lexington”, the family picnic concert is free and features many acclaimed local musicians. You will enjoy music from different genres by Asian and other musicians from top music institutes, as well as amateur musicians of all ages.
So pack a family picnic, come to meet your neighbors and enjoy this unique music experience on a cool summer evening. Doors open at 5 PM for outdoor cultural activities prior to the show. Free admission. Food and Beverage available for purchase.
The concert series is a production of New Moon International, and is organized by Chinese American Association of Lexington – CAAL, Belmont Chinese American Association, , Acton Chinese-American Civic Society, WestonWestar.

International Fun Fest
2024-06-15 16:00 - 20:00 | Ellen Stone Building, 735 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
The Lexington Lyceum Advocates announces its first International Fun Fest at Lexington’s Ellen Stone Building from 4-8PM on Saturday, June 15.
The Fest will offer free activities and entertainment for the whole family on the lawn of the Ellen Stone Building at 735 Mass Ave. Come celebrate the many diverse cultures in our community with games, music, dancing, food, beer garden, and more.
Enjoy international dance and live musical performances, play lawn games, sip a cold beer or buy dinner at a food truck. Bring friends and neighbors or meet new friends as we relax outdoors on a beautiful summer evening.
Free Parking is available on Mass ave. and neighboring side streets.
The International Fun Fest is cosponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Lexington Council for the Arts, and the Lexington Lyceum Advocates. For more information, see LexLyceum.org/events.
The Lexington Lyceum Advocates (LLA) is a 501(c)(3) organization established to return the town-owned 1833 Ellen Stone Building to public use. LLA’s mission is to build a modern Lexington Lyceum and community gathering space at the renovated Ellen Stone Building. LLA envisions the Stone Building as a venue in which to learn from the past and shape a better future. For more information and to hear about upcoming events, go to LexLyceum.org.

Exhibit Opening: The President & Le Général
2024-06-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Munroe Tavern, 1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Lexington Celebrates! is expanding!
In addition to April 19th anniversary celebrations throughout the years, Lexington has rolled out the red carpet for visiting Revolutionary figures. George Washington visited Munroe Tavern during his 1789 tour of the United States, and General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, also visited Lexington during an 1824-5 50th anniversary tour.
This summer, Munroe Tavern will host an exhibition extension exploring the celebration of these two friends in Lexington, visiting during significant points of nation-building in the new republic.
Join us for a special opening reception from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, June 14! Reservations are appreciated to programs@lexingtonhistory.org, but not required.

Rick Beyer's Amazing Campaign for History's Hidden Heroes
2024-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Nearly 20 years ago, while living in Lexington, author and filmmaker Rick Beyer learned the incredible story of the WWII deception units known as The Ghost Army. He soon launched a quest to tell the world about their exploits, and to make sure what they did would never be forgotten. That led to the Ghost Army documentary (2013), the book (2015), and finally the Congressional Gold Medal (2024), the highest honor Congress can bestow.
Now Rick returns to Lexington to recount his epic Ghost Army journey. It began on a winter’s day in a Lexington coffee shop, and after innumerable twists and turns, culminated in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol presided over by the Speaker of the House. Rick will share insights, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes adventures from this wild 20-year ride that so many people in Lexington took part in. All illustrated with rarely seen photos and footage. A story about what it really takes to see history preserved and remembered.
“The Ghost Army” is one of those remarkable projects where the underlying story of bringing the history to light winds up nearly as compelling as the historical tale itself. Rick Beyer will share both those stories June 13.
Tickets: $10 members, $15 nonmembers, $5 veterans, active duty military FREE. Tickets on EventBrite or at the door

An Evening with Curtis Chin
2024-06-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Join us for an evening with author, filmmaker and activist, Curtis Chin. Curtis’ memoir, “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” serves up life lessons from a childhood spent in a Chinese restaurant. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Hua Wang, Co-President of the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL).
This program is made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation.
Learn more and to register for the event.

Purple Puppy Promenade
2024-06-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Dog owners and families: Dress your pooch in purple and gather with us at Hastings Park at 9:30am on Sunday June 9. We will parade our dogs along Mass Ave. to our expanded agility playing field where they can show off their costumes and tricks. Prizes will be awarded for most creative costumes and best agility skills. Event sponsor MetroPets will have their mobile grooming station and will clip your dog’s nails for a $10 donation!
Donate to support this event and sign up: https://bit.ly/LexPurplePuppyPage

KOLex: K-Festival in Lexington
2024-06-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd., Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Korean American Organization of Lexington (KOLex) hosts the first K-Festival in Lexington to celebrate Korean culture. The K-Festival will be filled with delicious Korean food and vibrant performances. Immerse yourself in folk/contemporary music, try out K-pop dancing, and enjoy Korean arts and games. Participate in our raffle and win Korean snacks or K-beauty gift baskets, complete with beautiful craft item created by KOLex.
The program features folk dances by the Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Art (BAKTA)’s Pungmulnori Ensemble, The Gugak Jazz Trio, K-POP performances and random dance play by Lexington High School’s K-pop teams and UMass Boston’s WHISPER K-pop dance crew, ending with a Samulnori Drum performance by the Korean School of New England (KSNE).
The K-Festival is organized by KOLex with collaboration of Korean Cultural Society of Boston (KCSB), and The Lexington Community Center. A prior registration is recommended.

Historic Games Day
2024-06-08 11:00 - 15:00 | MA
Have you learned that life in the past was all work and no play? Think again! Stop by the Depot to experience the entertainment of the past, from outdoor games like hoop and stick, graces, and tug-of-war to board games, toys, and early virtual reality! 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Lexington Gardens Blossom
2024-06-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
For an early celebration of the 250th Anniversary of “the shot heard around the world,” Lexington Field & Garden Club is holding one of its popular garden tours on Saturday, June 8. Many of these gardens surround 19th century homes with their native colorful plants and interesting landscape designs. Whether you are a dedicated gardener or just a lover of beautiful natural spaces, you don’t want to miss this chance to experience the private worlds that lie behind these antique homes.
Purchase tickets online. Tickets can be picked up at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, June 8 at the Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St, Lexington.

Immigration Story and Art Exhibition
2024-05-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Lexington is celebrating its diverse immigrant communities through a powerful art and storytelling exhibition from May 24 to June 14 at the Cary Memorial Library. The exhibition invites Lexington residents (Children, Youth and adults) to submit writings and paintings that capture the immigrant experience – the emotions, successes, challenges, courage and resilience in pursuit of the American dream.
A panel of professional volunteers will review all submissions, with top entries in each category receiving Golden, Silver and Bronze awards. Winning writings will be featured in the form of abstracts or the first three pages, alongside awarded paintings.
The exhibition highlights the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion by providing a platform to share these powerful narratives of immigration. It is hosted by local organizations including the Chinese American Association Lexington, Lexington Council for the Arts, Lexington Lyceum Advocate, Indian Americans of Lexington, Japanese Support Group of Lexington, Association of Black Citizens of Lexington, Lexington Historical Society, Monroe Center for the Arts, and Lexington Human Rights Committee.
A special storytelling reception will be held on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30-8:30pm, where light refreshments will be provided. This celebration of Lexington’s rich cultural diversity and the invaluable contributions of immigrants is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together through art and shared stories.

Memorial Day Musical Salute
2024-05-27 11:00 - 12:00 | The Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
On Monday, May 27 at 11:00 am, all are invited to observe Memorial Day with a special Musical Tribute to our Armed Forces at Emery Park, Depot Square, sponsored by the Town Celebrations Committee. We’ll travel back to World War I, World War II, and Vietnam, with narration by Ashley Rooney and popular songs of those times performed by Lexington High School students, Jeff Leonard, retired Music Director of the Lexington Public Schools, Jason Iannuzzi, LHS Choral Director, and other professionals.
Since World War I, the poppy has come to be known as a symbol of remembrance. Back by popular demand, the Never-Fading Poppy Project (NFPP), a student-led youth team of CAAL, the Chinese American Association of Lexington, will once again install their Poppy Memorial at Emery Park. This beautiful poppy wreath will remain on view at the park for several days after the ceremony.
This year, the NFPP co-leaders, Jodie Chen, Candice Lin, and Lucy Wei, encouraged Lexington High School students to submit original poems on the theme of Memorial Day, under the direction and guidance of Jane Day, Chair of the LHS English Department. Two students will be invited to read their poems as part of the Musical Tribute.
Earlier in the day, there will be a Memorial Walk starting at the entrance to Munroe Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to join the Walk, which will visit several memorials for a brief wreath-laying ceremony before arriving at Emery Park for the official Memorial Day Ceremony

Lexington Violin School & Lexington Strings play "Sounds of the 1700s" and "Americana"
2024-05-25 11:05 - 11:45 | MA
Come see Lexington Violin School & Lexington Strings play “Sounds of the 1700s” and “Americana” repertoire to celebrate Lexington’s 250th. The performance will take place at the Waltham Street Stage Area, located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Waltham Street.
The “Sounds of the 1700s” series presents music contemporary to the April 19, 1775 skirmish on the Lexington Battle Green.
This event’s program includes:
– Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in Eb major for Violin and Piano, Op. 12, No. 3
– Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in Bb major for 2 Violas and Orchestra, BWV 1051, featuring Lexington High School and Cornell University graduate Lindsey Forg on Solo Viola 1. Lindsey was trained in viola performance at Lexington Violin School.
Several “Americana” pieces will also be performed. Repertoire includes:
– Aaron Copland: “Hoe-Down” from his ballet Rodeo
– Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man (arranged by Letitia Hom)
– Battle Hymn of the Republic, with sing-along (arranged by Letitia Hom)
Based in Lexington, Massachusetts since 1984, Lexington Violin School & Lexington Strings are musicians Vida Baterina Hom, Letitia Hom, Yukiko Ueno Egozy and Michael Valdez.

Event Location:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Corner+of+Massachusetts+Avenue+and+Waltham+Street%2C+Lexington+Center+Lexington%2C+MA+02420+United+States
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Discovery Day
2024-05-25 10:00 - 15:00 | Lexington Center, 1780 Mass Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Come celebrate spring at the Discovery Day Street Fair in Lexington Center on Saturday, May 25th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. No Rain Date.
Sponsored by the Lexington Retailers Association and hosted by over 95 of Lexington’s businesses and civic organizations, this event lets residents “rediscover” their town, and nonresidents “discover” the delights of beautiful and historic Lexington. Come enjoy and learn about all this community has to offer!
Massachusetts Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Waltham Street to Meriam Street to host this free community street fair. Lexington retailers and service businesses will be ready with plenty of great merchandise and giveaways. Local restaurants will be selling a variety of food and Revolution Hall hosts a beer garden in Emery Park. Grace Chapel is hosting a Kids Zone entertainment area with activities, games, crafts, a bounce house and much more on the Visitors Center lawn. There is live entertainment throughout the day at two different stages.
More information can be found at DiscoveryDayInLexington.com

DPW Day
2024-05-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Samuel Hadley Public Services Building, 201 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Join us for a day of fun and activities, including viewing and sitting in equipment, operating a surveyor’s transit, using a metal detector, exploring the growth cycle of trees, and learning to compost in your backyard. Light refreshments will be served.
More information.

My American Story
2024-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | The Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
This is an annual event to celebrate AAPI heritage month. We invite AAPI panelists from Lexington and the surrounding communities to share their personal stories to show the diversity and commonality within the AAPI community and what it means to be Americans of AAPI heritage. This event can help build connections between different ethnic groups within the AAP Community and between the AAPI and other communities.
Register here.
Panelists
Charles Inouye
A resident of Lexington and a third-generation Japanese American, Charles Inouye is a professor of Japanese literature and visual culture at Tufts University. For his life and spiritual journey, see zion earth zen sky, a haiku memoir, and Hymns of Silence, short stories mixed with haiku.
Weina Dai
Weina Dai Randel is the Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of four historical novels, including The Last Rose of Shanghai, and The Empress of Bright Moon, a duology about Wu Zetian. Weina is the winner of the RWA RITA® Award. She also received the Mass Cultural Council’s art grant in 2023. She lives in Lexington.
Ye Zhang Pogue
Ye Zhang Pogue, Ph.D., is a health policy researcher and writer. She immigrated to the U.S. from China in 2011. She is active in public policy discussions that affect the AAPI community. She pursues her American Dream through civic engagement.
Leela Jia-Ling Basu
Leela Jia-Ling Basu is a Chinese Bengali American and a junior at Lexington High School. At LHS, Leela is a Head of Lighting and President of the Drama Company. Additionally, she is part of the Student Council and Global Mentor Alliance. Leela loves dancing with Legacy Dance Company.
Diya Nigam
A freshman at Lexington High School, Diya Nigam is passionate about Indian Culture from its history to Bollywood movies. She serves as the Student Liaison for Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL). She has trained in Kathak, North Indian classical dance, for eight years and performed extensively across Boston.

Festival of Colors
2024-05-18 13:00 - 17:00 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Join us for a vibrant celebration of diversity at the Festival of Colors in Lexington, where the community comes together to revel in the richness of our multicultural heritage. Just as the colors of spring burst forth in nature, so too do the myriad hues of humanity shine in our town.
Event Highlights
21 Multicultural Performances: Experience a dazzling array of cultural expressions, including American, Chinese, Taiwanese, Sri Lankan, and Indian dances, as well as live musical performances by Italian and Indian bands.
Culinary Delights: Treat your taste buds to a variety of cuisines from around the world at our vegetarian food stalls and ice cream truck. Indulge in offerings from Honest, Bombay Brunch, Joy of Treats (sweets), Maitri Ice Cream, Szechuan Dumplings Restaurant, and more.
Community Booths and Vendors: Explore booths showcasing the rich tapestry of our community, with diverse products and services from different cultural backgrounds.
Entertainment for All Ages: Enjoy bouncy houses, henna, and face-painting booths, ensuring fun for the whole family.
Colorful Traditions: Participate in the lively tradition of playing with dry organic powdered colors, inspired by the Indian festival of Holi. Welcome spring and greet friends by applying colors on each other’s faces and throwing colors in the air.
To find more information or buy tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/foc2024lex

LexSeeHer Dedication Day
2024-05-18 11:00 - 17:00 | LexSeeHer Monument Site, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Lexington women have been instrumental in the pursuit of liberty from the years preceding the Battle of Lexington, throughout the Revolution, and beyond. LexSeeHer will formally dedicate the new “Something Is Being Done” monument designed by artist Meredith Bergmann on May 18th. Visitors can help commemorate important women whose stories have otherwise been lost to time. This is the first monument to recognize women’s economic, political, intellectual, social, and cultural contributions to the Lexington community, Commonwealth, country, and beyond.
The monument will help restore our collective memory of 18th century women, including Phebe Banister Burdoo, Cate Chester, Abigail Harrington, Margaret Tulip, Ruth Buckman, and Anna Harrington. In addition, the monument celebrates their literal and figurative daughters and granddaughters, and other women and girls who continued blazing trails in the pursuit of liberty.
Lexington Children’s Chorus will perform, along with local dance groups.
This event, which is part of LexSeeHer’s “First Look” series is open to all ages, but people are encouraged to request tickets in advance through lexseeher.com.
Limited seating may be available, but as tickets are being scooped up very quickly, people should expect to either stand or find a place on the lawn nearby. People who need accommodations should email lexmonument@gmail.com so the team can help.
The event is free, but donations in support of the monument are encouraged and may be made at lexseeher.com.
There will be a marketplace area for those interested in purchasing souvenirs of the monument and an activity table for children.

AAPI 5K Run & Walk in Lexington
2024-05-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Lexington High School Field House, 251 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Join us for the AAPI 5K to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May! Come run or walk with us in this vibrant community event hosted by the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) and Hey Runners Club. Experience our newly certified USATF 5K course in historic Lexington—a perfect blend of challenge and fun.
Learn more and register.
Race Date/Time
In-Person: Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:30 AM
Children 10 years or under must be accomplished by an adult.
Race Location and Course
Start and finish in front of Lexington High School. Chip-timed Race.
The 5k course is USATF-certified.
Registration
Online Race Registration till May 17, 2024 – $35 (non-refundable)
Race Day Registration – $40 cash or checkRace T-Shirt is free for the first 300 registrants.
Bib Pickup
May 18 (Race-Day), 8:30a – 10:15a, Field House of Lexington High School

91st Annual Plant Sale
2024-05-18 08:00 - 11:30 | Lexington DPW, 201 Bedford St, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Once upon a time Lexington was a farming village. While that is not true today, it still has the oldest garden club in the nation’s history: Lexington Field & Garden Club.
The plants available for purchase at the Lexington Field & Garden’s plant sale are big and healthy. They have been grown by our gardeners, divided, lovingly potted and tended carefully. There are native plants, plants that we all love, a table of dahlias leafed out, and vegetables and herbs from LexFarm.

LexSeeHer Unveiling Day
2024-05-15 10:30 - 19:00 | LexSeeHer Monument Site, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Women have been instrumental in the pursuit of liberty from the years preceding the Battle of Lexington, throughout the Revolution, and beyond. LexSeeHer will formally dedicate the new “Something Is Being Done” monument designed by artist Meredith Bergmann on May 19th. Visitors can help commemorate important women whose stories have otherwise been lost to time. This is the first monument to recognize women’s economic, political, intellectual, social, and cultural contributions to the Lexington community, Commonwealth, country, and beyond.
The monument will help restore our collective memory of 18th century women, including Phebe Banister Burdoo, Cate Chester, Abigail Harrington, Margaret Tulip, Ruth Buckman, and Anna Harrington. In addition, the monument celebrates their literal and figurative daughters and granddaughters, and other women and girls who have continued blazing trails in the pursuit of liberty.
The LexSeeHer Chorus will perform. This event is part of LexSeeHer’s “First Look” series.
Due to limited space, tickets must be requested for this event, and there is currently a waitlist. If you receive a ticket from the waitlist, please anticipate standing or finding a place on the lawn nearby.
People who need accommodations should email lexmonument@gmail.com so the team can help.
The event is free, but donations in support of the monument are encouraged and may be made at lexseeher.com.
There will be a marketplace area for those interested in purchasing souvenirs of the monument and an activity table for children.
First Look Events Schedule:

10:00 am: Procession from the Depot
10:30 – 11:30 am: Unveiling Ceremony
2:00 pm & 4:00 pm: Guided Tours
3:00 – 4:30 pm: Children’s activities
7:30 pm: BOLD Women’s After Hours

Annual Lexington Tattoo & Muster
2024-05-04 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-05-03 18:00 - 20:30 | The Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
On Friday, four featured fife and drum corps, including the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps, The Musick of Prescott’s Battalion, Connecticut Patriots Fife and Drum Corps and the Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps will perform. The Lexington Minute Men will be Presenting Colors.
The corps will march from Depot Square in Lexington to the Battle Green. Once the corps arrive to the Green a military song performance, called a tattoo, will be held consisting of Revolution-era music by lantern light.
On Saturday, a total of 28 fife and drum corps from six states will march from Militia Drive along Worthen Road to Hastings Park. This will commence a free afternoon of fife and drum music from the 18th century and beyond. In addition to the parade, there will be ten vendors selling replica colonial-period goods as well as 18th-century encampment demonstrations.
Individual corps performances, called “Stand Pieces,” will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will continue throughout the afternoon.
Schedule
Tattoo | Friday, May 3, 2024 | Lexington Battle Green
6:15 PM – Performing Corps will gather at Depot Square, Lexington Center
6:30 PM – Corps Leaders and Majors meet with director Carmin Calabrese
6:50 PM – Parade from Depot Square to the Lexington Battle Green
7:00 PM – Tattoo commences on the Lexington Battle Green

Annual Muster | Saturday, May 4, 2024 | Hastings Park, Lexington
9:00 AM – Corps will check in at MC table and Vendor set-up begins
11:00 AM – Parade line-up on Lexington Battle Green. Any black powder weapons must be inspected by a Lexington Minutemen Safety Officer.
12:00 Noon – Parade steps off from Militia Drive to Hastings Park on Worthen Road
12:30 PM – Corps performances begin
1:00 to 3:00 PM – Muster Meal served at tent for ticketed participants
Jam follows last Corps Performance

Roads to Revolution: the Different Paths of Lexington and Concord
2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
This session will examine the similarities and differences between the two towns socially, economically and politically, and discuss how each came to play its signal part on April 19, 1775. We’ll also look at the long dispute between the two towns, starting in 1825, with who deserved credit for firing the first shots and starting the Revolutionary War – and why that once mattered.
About our speaker:
Robert A. Gross is James L. and Shirley A. Draper Professor of Early American History Emeritus at the University of Connecticut. A specialist in the social and cultural history of the United States from the Revolution to the Civil War, Gross focuses particularly on New England. His first book, The Minutemen and Their World (1976), presents a community study of Concord, Massachusetts, in the eighteenth century, portraying the lives and circumstances of inhabitants at all levels of the social order and tracing the internal conflicts that shaped the town’s participation in the mobilization against British rule. For this innovative interpretation of the American Revolution as a social movement, Minutemen received the Bancroft Prize in American History in 1977; it was reissued in a 25th anniversary edition by Hill & Wang in 2001. A revised and expanded edition appeared in 2022 from Picador books, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. His studies of the Revolutionary period continued in the edited collection In Debt to Shays: The Bicentennial of an Agrarian Rebellion (1993).
This program is made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation.

Launch of Lex250 Celebrations
2024-04-19 | MA
Join us on Friday, April 19, 2024 for the launch of the year-long celebrations leading up to the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington.
Commemorative Events Begin on Friday, April 19, 2024. Please note the latest traffic advisory for this event.

The launch will consist of three unique events:

Grand Unveiling of the Countdown Calendar

Time: 12:00 PM, Location: Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building (Cary Hall) – Front Steps, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420)

The countdown calendar – a monument counting down the days until next year’s anniversary – will be unveiled at a ceremony comprising of state and foreign dignitaries, the Lexington Minute Men, and the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps. RSVP

British Tea & Colonial Talks

Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Location: Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420

Immerse yourself in history with reenactments and talks by experts on everything from British tea varieties to lesser-known stories of the American Revolution.

Countdown-to-250 Concert

Time: 7:00 PM, Location: Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building – Margery Milne Battin Auditorium, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420)

Enjoy a special performance by the Lexington Bicentennial Band featuring Wind Music from the British Empire.

Revolutionary Scavenger Hunt
2024-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 | The Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Where is the Parker boulder? Is there a weathervane on the Belfry? What happened at the Harrington House? No matter how long you’ve lived in Lexington, there is still plenty for your kids to discover! Have them test their clue-solving and observation skills with a Revolutionary-themed scavenger hunt that takes them to sites around the Lexington Green. Fun and an official completion certificate for all ages! ​Start and end at the Depot Building in Lexington Center.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (the hunt is self guided). Free!

Patriots’ Day Afternoon Parade
2024-04-15 14:00 - 17:00 | MA
Starts at Mass Ave. and Maple Street, proceeding west down Mass Ave. into Lexington Center. Ends on Worthen Road at the Center Recreation Complex.

Munroe Tavern Tours
2024-04-15 12:00 - 16:00 | Munroe Tavern, 1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Self-guided tours available. Built in 1735, Munroe Tavern was commandeered by the British Redcoat troops on their retreat back to Boston on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Downstairs, the Tavern illustrates the British perspective of the day’s events. Upstairs, the story’s focus shifts to what it was like to have a family home taken over by enemy soldiers. The final highlight is the chance to see where President Washington’s dined when he visited the Tavern in 1789. Tickets available online and on site. Advanced purchase not required.

Cost:
(Single house) Adults $14, Kids $8
(Three houses) Adults $28, Kids $14

Annual Patriots’ Day Hand Bell Concert
2024-04-15 11:15 - 12:00 | Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
The Handbell Choirs of Hancock Church present a family-friendly concert of American music rung on five octaves of handbells and chimes.
