Battle Road and Patriots' Day Participant Information

Looking to participate in Battle Road or April events?

These April events are invitation only. Pre-registration is required for all reenactment units and participants. Registration materials will be sent directly to unit commanders. However, all registered participants are responsible for complying with event safety and authenticity standards. See the links below for more information.

Minute Man NHP Historic Weapons Requirements

Minute Man NHP Living History Authenticity Standards

Battle Road Participant FAQ

To Apply with our Battle Road Committee...

• Note: All groups wishing to participate in 2025 must meet standards and have attended events in 2023 or 2024.
• Send an email to Park Ranger Jim Hollister at e-mail us telling us about your unit impression.
• Send current photos of the unit in clothing that meets Battle Road Standards. Group photos are fine as long as all members who plan to attend are present and you provide clear front and rear images. Please include the names in order of appearance. If sending individual photos, unit commanders or designee must compile these into a pdf or zip file and email them to e-mail us.
• Videos of the unit drill are not required unless the Battle Road Committee asks for them specifically.
• Provide references from current participants in events at Minute Man National Historical Park.
• For ALL accepted units, registration materials (photos, volunteer forms and firing permit) must be received no later than January 2025.

 

Upcoming Events

• Battle Road Muster ~ Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Rain Date March 30, 2025)

• Park Cleanup Day ~ Saturday, April 5, 2025. Organized by the Friends of Minute Man. See 2025 Events - Friends of Minute Man National Park for more details and how to register
• Patriot Vigil~ Thursday, April 17, 2025

• Battle Road ~ Saturday, April 19, 2025
  

 

Muster Day Schedules

Battle Road Muster Schedule, (Evacuees) March 29, 2025

EVACUEES -muster schedule March 29, 2025 (Minute Man VC)

ATTENDANCE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED
Wear your 18th c event clothing and bring the items with which you plan to evacuate.

9am - 12:30pm (doors open 8:30am)
Minute Man Visitors Center
200 North Great Road (Rte. 2A), Lincoln, MA 01773
If you live within a few hours drive of Minute Man National Historical Park, we want to see you at the muster. Please adjust the spreadsheet accordingly if your plans have changed from way back when you first marked it. (See prior parking post for link.)

Special speaker: Donald Hafner on his new book
Entangled Lives, Black and White: The Black Community, Enslaved and Free, in Eighteenth Century Lincoln, Massachusetts
Safety briefing: Park Ranger
Event schedule & logistics
Historical Interpretation: best practices for engaging with visitors. (This is how we'll spend the largest portion of the morning. Bring your thoughts and ideas. What has worked for you, what hasn't, especially if you've done this event before.)

Battle Road Muster Schedule (Military), March 29, 2025

0800- Arrive for Elm Brook Hill Scenario. Parking at Hartwell parking lot. Meet outside Hartwell Tavern.
0815- Officers Meeting in Hartwell Barn
0830- Military formation in Mason field west of Hartwell Tavern. Inspection of weapons and equipment. Ensure volunteers do not bring any ammunition.
0900- Crown forces march to Barker house for review and practice of Vanguard and Rearguard Tactics.
0900- Militia forces practice small unit tactics in area west of Hartwell Tavern.
1000- March to Elm Brook Hill Starting Locations
1015- Elm Brook Hill Tactical Demonstration non-firing practice #1
1045- After action review with officers and NCO's at Hartwell Tavern. Militia and Crown forces rest.
1100- March to Elm Brook Hill Starting Locations
1115- Elm Brook Hill Tactical Demonstration non-firing practice #2
1145- Break for lunch & travel to Minute Man Visitor Center Parking
1230- Meet at Minute Man Visitor Center parking lot in formation.
1245- March to start of Parker's Revenge Scenario
1300- Parker's Revenge Tactical Demonstration non-firing practice #1
1330- After action review with officers and NCO's outside Visitor Center. Militia and Crown forces rest.
1345- March to start of Parker's Revenge Scenario
1400- Parker's Revenge Tactical Demonstration non-firing practice #2
1430- Muster Day 2025 Conclusion
1500- Everyone go home, hydrate, and sleep!

 

Event Schedules

 

Battle Road Schedule, April 19 2025

Crown and Militia Forces
Parking:

• Militia: Near Lincoln North, 55 Old Bedford Rd. Lincon MA
• Crown: Noah Brooks Tavern, 33 North Great Rd. Lincoln MA

Registration, Inspection and Ammunition Distribution:

• Militia: Battle Road Trail, near the 55 Old Bedford Road parking lot

• Crown Forces: Noah Brooks Tavern area.

Schedule

• 9:00 a.m. Registration open
• 10:45 a.m. Arms inspection and ammunition distribution
• 11:15 a.m. Troops form and get ready to march and deploy into position
• 11:45 a.m. Tactical scenario: Elm Brook Hill to Samuel Hartwell
• 12:15 p.m. Scenario ends. Clear weapons in the road near Samuel Hartwell site (NPS)
• 12:20 p.m. March to Paul Revere Capture site for a brief rest
• 1:00 p.m. Tactical scenario: Parker’s Revenge to Bluff
• 1:20 p.m. Scenario ends. Clear weapons, collect ammunition (NPS)

Battle Road Guides and Lexington Militia
Parking for Parker's Revenge Guides: Minute Man Regional High School
Parking for Elm Brook Hill Guides: Hartwell Tavern parking area
Registration: Hartwell Tavern and Minute Man Visitor Center. Check with your section leader

Schedule

• 9:00 am Guides registration open at Hartwell and MMVC
• 10:00 a.m. MMVC Lexington registration, inspection and ammunition at Rt2A/Old Mass Ave parking lot
• 10:45 a.m. Elm Brook Hill Guides briefing
• 11:30 a.m. Elm Brook Hill Guides deploy to viewing areas
• 11:45 p.m. Parker's Revenge Guides briefing
• 12:00 p.m. Guides deploy to viewing areas
• 12:45 p.m. Evacuees process along the route of tactical demonstration
• 1:00 p.m. Tactical Demonstration, Parker’s Revenge to Bluff
• 1:20 p.m. Clear weapons, collect ammunition (NPS staff)

Civilian Evacuees
Parking: Hartwell Tavern parking area

Registration: Hartwell, Smith House, and Elm Brook Hill (as assigned by the civilian organizers). Evacuees are asked to arrive at 8:30 am. We will have a staff member open the houses by 9:00 am. and close them once you leave. I will provide updates as needed. Those evacuees joining the procession at the Josiah Nelson House site will park at Paul Revere Capture Site and register with the Battle Road Guides at Minute Man Visitor Center between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Schedule

• 2:00 a.m. Parking Areas Open
• 9:00-9:30a.m. Registration and staging at Smith/ Hartwell/ Elm Brook
• 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Hartwell Tavern open to public
• 9:30 –11:00 a.m. Smith House open public (Closed during formal program).
• 11:00 a.m. –Formal Evacuee program at Smith House
• 11:20 a.m. –Militia company arrive at Smith House
• 11:25 a.m. –Mounted alarm rider arrives at Hartwell Tavern. 
• 11:30 a.m. –Mounted alarm rider arrives at Smith House. Militia company begin march to Hartwell
• 11:30 a.m. –Hartwell Tavern closed and visitors moving to safe areas behind ropelines. ("family" stays inside)
• 11:30 to 11:40 –Elm Brook group evacuates toward Smith House in small groups along with Hartwell group.
• 11:45 am. –Evacuation of "family" at Hartwell Tavern via ox cart.
• 11:55 a.m. –Evacuation of Smith House.
• 12:30 p.m. –Brief rest at Nelson house
• 12:45 – 1:00 p.m. Evacuees process along route of Parker's Revenge demonstration area. First person, no interaction with Guides or visitors. Evacuation of family via oxcart from Whittemore House. Exit demonstration area at the Bluff at 1:00 p.m.

 

Additional Questions?

Please contact Park Ranger Jim Hollister, (978) 852 - 2214 or e-mail us