May 11 - 13, 2026
"The British are coming! The British are coming!" Are you thinking Paul Revere? We visited the Minuteman National Historic Park in Concord, MA. The park orientation film includes Revere's (and Daweses and Dr. Prescott's) ride through the countryside, and perhaps more accurately reflects that the ride would have been more on the quiet side. Revere, Dawes, and Dr Prescott would not likely be loudly proclaiming that the British were coming when they considered themselves British. The term used at that time for the professional British army was "the regulars."
We walked along a small section of what is now called Battle Road Trail, the road between Concord and Lexington. We imagined ourselves as a British soldier on April 19th, 1775. After marching all night from Boston to Concord, fighting the militia, beginning the long road back, only to be fired upon by even more militia hidden by boulders, trees, and surrounding hills. Little did most know that the day's events were just the beginning.
We then spent a day in Boston, where most of our morning was spent visiting USS Constitution and the Charlestown Navy Yard. One of the exhibits called the Constitution, the nation's ship. That does seem to sum its symbolism. It is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat. That "still afloat" is an important distinction since the HMS Victory with the British Royal Navy is actually older, but is permanently dry-docked. The Navy does take the Constitution out into the Boston Harbor on a regular basis. You can find its schedule on the website.
After a quick trip through Faneuil Hall Marketplace, we decided to call it day. With all the events that happened in the area leading up to the "shot heard around the world," we were more mindful and grateful for our nation in this our 250th anniversary year.
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| Battle Road |
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| British flag marking nearby burial site |
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| Current North Bridge at Concord |
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| USS Constitution |
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| "Old Ironsides" |
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| Dry dock |
