We began our day at Minute Man National Historical Park. The park commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775 by protecting, preserving and interpreting the significant sites, structures, landscapes, events and ideas embodied by these events.

We started our history lesson with the award-winning 27-minute multimedia theater presentation The Road to Revolution. We learned about the sites we would see which became the field of battle during the first armed conflict of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. It was here that British colonists risked their lives and property, defending their ideals of liberty and self-determination. The events of that day have been popularized by succeeding generations as the "shot heard 'round the world." Often referred to as the "Battles of Lexington, and Concord," the fighting raged over 16 miles along the Bay Road from Boston to Concord, and included some 1,700 British regulars and over 4,000 Colonial militia.

The film did an exceptional job helping us to understand not only the events of the day but also the immenseness of their importance.

A scavenger hunt, of sorts, happened while searching for these small granite markers and distance stones that are placed throughout the trail alignment to trace the historical 18th-century road path (the Concord Road) used by the militia and Crown forces.

I was eager to revisit the Lexington Battle Green, the location of the opening skirmish of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. This is me, 50 years ago on an 8th grade field trip for the U.S. Bicentennial (post about it here). I can't believe it has been half of a century.

As for the statue, it depicts Captain John Parker who led 80 local militiamen during the opening engagement of the American Revolutionary War. Sculpted by Henry Hudson Kitson, it was officially unveiled on April 19, 1900, to mark the 125th anniversary of the battle.

The background/cause for the battle on the Lexington Green was that General Thomas Gage had ordered 700 to 800 British regulars—led by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and Major John Pitcairn—to march from Boston to Concord to seize a stash of colonial weapons and gunpowder. It was this aggression that had the Midnight Riders, including Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott, alert local towns and patriot militias via an alarm network (one if my land, two if by sea).

The 1799 Revolutionary War Monument features an inscription dedicated to the memory of the men killed on Lexington Green. Erected on July 4, 1799, it is recognized as the oldest war memorial in the United States, marking the militia line from April 19, 1775, and housing the remains of seven of the fallen militiamen reinterred beneath it in 1835.

"Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon,

but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

-Captain John Parker

I loved discovering this mailbox (I've seen two thus far). To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service has festively wrapped 30 mail collection boxes in a special red, white, and blue patriotic design across 24 cities tied to the nation's founding. I will be hopefully find a couple more before this trip is done.

History is everywhere. Built in 1710, Buckman Tavern 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.

Hartwell Tavern (1733) is yet another historic American Revolutionary War site associated with the revolution's first battle. Paul Revere and William Dawes were captured by a British Army patrol nearby during the "Midnight Ride" to Concord of April 18. Samuel Prescott, who was also riding with them, escaped by jumping his horse over a wall and into the woods. Prescott emerged at the Hartwell Tavern, awakened its owner Ephraim and informed him of the pending arrival of the British soldiers. Ephraim sent his black slave, Violet, down the road to alert his son and his family. Wife Mary then relayed the message to Captain William Smith, commanding officer of the Lincoln minutemen, who lived a little to the west and whose home still stands along Battle Road. The minutemen received the notice in time, and arrived at Old North Bridge before their enemy. Prescott made it to Concord. Interestingly, Paul Revere never did complete the full ride. Such history!

While not open to tour, this house was a must! Early occupants of the Wayside included Samuel Whitney, member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775 and muster master for Concord's minute man companies. On April 19, 1775 the house was directly mentioned by General Thomas Gage as a place to be searched for arms and supplies. Despite British soldiers marching right past the house as they entered Concord there is no evidence they stopped and searched it. The Wayside is among the park's 11 April 19th Witness Houses.

During the 19th century a succession of authors called this house home; most notably Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne. They, along with their neighbors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau joined many others such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Herman Melville to begin a literary tradition recognized as distinctly American.

The Alcotts, who owned the house from 1845-1852, called it "Hillside." Here Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, and her sisters lived much of the childhood described in the book. Nathaniel Hawthorne, wrote The Scarlet Letter, House of the Seven Gables, Twice Told Tales, and other novels and publications. He and his family owned the house from 1852 through 1869 and called it "The Wayside."

As part of the first generation to inherit the Revolution, these early writers helped shape the new nation's cultural identity even as they struggled with the Revolution's legacy and the unresolved issue of slavery. While in the house in the 1840s, the Alcott family aided at least one freedom seeker on his flight to freedom. Just think of the conversations had on this porch. Mind-blowing!

Just a few years away is the Orchard House (c. 1650). It is  most noted for being where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set Little Women in 1868.  This noble home also has a rich history stretching back two centuries beforehand, as well as more than 100 years of life as a treasured historic site open to the public.

The Alcotts were a famous yet flawed family who firmly believed in the power of unconditional love, personal agency, and social justice. Here we were invited to discover the many ways in which they impacted literature, education, philosophy, art, reforms of all kinds -- and each other. I didn't spend the time to accept that invitation. Hopefully, I can return tomorrow.

"Our burdens are here, our road is before us,

and the longing for goodness and happiness

is the guide that leads us through . . ."

~ Marmee, Chapter I of Little Women

Our second cemetery visit was to the South Burying Ground, Concord’s second-oldest burial site. Established as a small 1/2-acre public burial plot after the town's incorporation in 1635, the earliest recorded deaths/burials date to around 1697, with usage continuing through the mid-19th century before the town opened Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (tomorrow's destination).

The site features approximately 230 headstones, including marked graves of 13 Revolutionary War veterans and historical figures such as Ruth Wood (daughter of early Musketaquid explorer William Wood).

William Hartwell's was the oldest of the headstones we discovered (he died in 1960). Born in England in 1613, he immigrated to America and became one of the original tract landowners in Concord, acquiring over 150 acres of land. His descendants became highly influential in the region. His grandson, Ephraim Hartwell, who I mentioned previously, established the famous Hartwell Tavern.

As we strolled Concord yesterday, we saw a sandwich board advertising Concord Orchestra's performance titled Dancing in Disguise. We bought tickets as we stood on the street. Oh my gosh, we are so glad we did. What an afternoon of being musically AWESTRUCK.

The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performed music by Anna Clyne, Garbriel Fauré, and Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Clyne’s short composition, Masquerade (2013), was inspired by pleasure gardens in London in the 18th century, where people gathered in the summer to experience masquerade balls, fireworks, and performances of music, dance, acrobatics, and theater.

The four movements of Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande Suite were selected from incidental music he composed for a play. The Sicilienne movement is one of Fauré’s most easily recognized and best-loved works.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 “Polish” gets its nickname from the polonaise rhythm in its finale. It was written slightly before Swan Lake, and contains some similar musical themes and delightful dance rhythms.

Leonard Bernstein said, "Music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable." So very, very true.

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely." "It's amazing how lovely common things become, if one only knows how to look at them." "It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts." — Louisa May Alcott, from Little Men

The last two days in Maine were weathery and diverse. From breakfast in a quaint harbor town, to camping in an apple orchard, with our visit concluding at an apple fair.

Boothbay Harbor, Maine began as part of an indigenous Wabanaki (Abenaki) seasonal fishing and clam-gathering territory. Its deep, natural harbor has shaped a rich maritime history spanning European settlement, the age of wooden sailing ships, and its evolution into a premier coastal resort. It is certainly a place we would love to return to with better weather and more time.

We ducked into the Historical Society to get out the blustery weather and to learn a little local history.

The 6th annual Artisans & Apples Fall Fair fills Thompson's Orchard on Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18, 2026, opening at 9am Saturday and closing at 3pm Sunday. More than 50 Maine vendors set up among the fall foliage, with food trucks, pick-your-own apples, face painting, tarot readings, permanent jewelry, tractor rides, live music and fresh baked goods.

Speaking of baked goods. Oh my goodness. These donuts are the best thing I've eaten in a very long time. In the early 1980s, a donut room was added onto the cider mill. Thompson’s donuts quickly became a customer favorite and local staple, with many regulars stopping by for a coffee and donut each autumn morning (I am lucky I don't live nearby). Today, the donut room produces over 12,000 dozen donuts each year and offers a variety of flavors. A cider donut expert named this the favorite Maine cider donut; a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and cozy fall tradition. I wholeheartedly agree. Yum.

The variety of creativeness was exceptional. After devouring our round rings of amazement, we meandered through the vendor tents, delighting in the wonders.

Bob, at Prospect Mtn Furniture makes lovely wooden items. His birdhouse is going home with us.

The hospitality of the Thompsons, and the delightfulness of all we met, was the perfect end to our time in Maine.

Moving on! We have only been in MA once and that was 30 years ago. We're excited to explore.

Concord is our home for the night and the first stop was at this fantastic building. The residents of Concord and their guests dedicated the Concord Free Public Library on Wednesday, October 1, 1873 with literary giant Ralph Waldo Emerson delivering the dedication address. The library was founded through the generosity and vision of William Munroe, a Concord native who made a fortune in dry goods and textiles and, after retirement, developed a desire to use his accumulated wealth to benefit the town where he had been born and raised.

Munroe purchased the land, worked with the Town to widen Main Street, and provided funds to construct the Library building. Thanks to Munroe’s gift, the Concord Free Public Library Corporation, a charitable organization funded solely through private philanthropy, was chartered to form and maintain the new public library in Concord. The Corporation worked in collaboration with the Town of Concord to fund and operate the Library, a partnership that still exists today. I want to live in this library.

"Since its dedication in 1873, the Concord Free Public Library has proudly opened its doors to provide a warm, inviting place to explore, think, and gather in the heart of Concord. It serves as the thriving cultural core of the community. The Library is the embodiment of treasured Concord values - culture, diversity, and civic discourse. It is the great equalizer - free, open, and accessible to all. The Library continues to reimagine itself for future generations, seeking to preserve its beloved spaces and cherished collections, while responding to the changing needs of the community in its newly expanded facilities."

Dinner was in history which isn't hard to do here. The structure dates back to around 1828 (often associated with the early commercial growth of the area). It was built as part of a wave of commercial development by the Mill Dam Company, which began reshaping downtown Concord starting in 1826 after an old mill pond and earthen/beaver dam area were removed. Interestingly, the building was officially surveyed by local transcendentalist and surveyor Henry David Thoreau in 1853.

It's surprising how much this quaint village has going on. We popped into the Umbrella Arts Center for On Being Human: Mosaic Meditations, an art exhibition by artist Cynthia Fisher.

Ms. Fisher, an artist with a background in wildlife biology, uses fine art mosaics to explore themes of nature and humanity. The textured works use materials like vitreous glass and broken pottery to prompt questions about human impact on the natural world, our responsibility to the planet, and the connection between people and their environment.

There is much to love about this town. For instance, have you ever wondered where a street's name is derived from? Well I have. Hubbard St. is name for Ebenezer Hubbard (1782-1871) whose bequest financed the Minute Man statue which I will discuss sometime in the next few days. So dang cool.

🎵These are a few of my favorite things.🎵

To find ourselves at dusk exploring the South Burying Ground, Concord's second-oldest burial site, was pretty surreal and perfect. While only about 1/2 acre, it contains roughly 230 to 300 closely packed gravestones arranged in ragged rows facing southwest. It was established in the late 17th century (around 1697 for the earliest recorded burial/headstone) to accommodate residents living on the south side and remained active through the mid-19th century.

What's unbelievable is how legible the headstones are. This one is 263 years old and reads, "Memento mori. Here lies buried the Body of CAPT. JOSEPH BARRETT Son of Deacon Humphry and Mrs. Mary Barrett who died the 4th Day of April, Anno Dom. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty three (1763), in the Eighty fifth Year of His Age. The Captain was an early colonial resident, landowner, and militia figure here. Wow.

While strolling about, we found that this wonderful building, 51 Walden, will be the site of a musical event tomorrow. We purchased tickets for the matinee. Concord is truly special. We have so much to discover here in Concord, the birthplace of the American Revolution and a major hub for 19th-century American literature and philosophy. We're excited to explore it more thoroughly!