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History

Given the rich Colonial era history of our community, information on tourism activities in town are available at our year-round, 7-day-a-week Lexington Visitors Center, which serves more than 100,000 guests annually.

The Birthplace of Liberty
On the morning of April 19, 1775, seventy-seven (77) farmers and tradesmen banded together in the Lexington militia to try and prevent a British force of 700 light infantry from destroying a supply of arms in Concord.  Captain John Parker was quoted as saying, "Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."  Then a shot of unknown origin rang out in Lexington, and the British Regulars fired a return volley killing eight (8) Colonial Minutemen and wounding ten (10).  At that moment in history, the war for independence had begun with the first battle of the American Revolution.

Heritage Tourism in Lexington
Year-round, the Lexington Visitor Center greets tourists from all across the country as well as from all around the world.  These visitors journey to see such historic Lexington landmarks as the Battle Green, Buckman Tavern, Hancock-Clarke House, and Munroe Tavern.  Since our community's heritage is very closely linked to nearby Concord, most visitors make a point of experiencing both historic spots in American history.  The Minuteman National Historical Park (located in the towns of Lexington, Lincoln & Concord) is run by the National Park Service and essential to any thorough visit to the region

For further information please contact: The Lexington Historical Society

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