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

• Volunteer Work Days ~ Check back soon for more details.

• Park Day~ Check back soon for more details.

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

• 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)

8:30~ Arrive at Visitors Center

8:45~ Welcome & introductions

9:00~ Historical Context for April 19th

9:50~ NPS Safety Briefing (de-escalation, crowd control, safety, chain of command, radios, medical emergencies, info cards, horse & oxen safety)

10:20~ BREAK

10:30~ Logistics (parking, registering, staging, programs, maps & movement)

10:45~ Interpretation (how to prepare, how to engage)

11:45~ BREAK

12:00~ Clothing & Material Culture review & feedback

12:30~ Site visit to Smith, Hartwell, Elmbrook

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

Military (Hartwell)
0800	Arrive at Hartwell Tavern
0815	Officers briefing at Hartwell Tavern
0830	Formation in field beside Hartwell. Arms Inspections. Officer/ NCO walkthrough
0930	March to Elm Brook Hill for non-firing rehearsal of the tactical scenario
0945	Elm Brook Hill rehearsal
1045	Transition to Parkers Revenge
1100	NPS Misfire Drill. Officer/ NCO walkthrough of Parkers Revenge
1200	Lunch Break
1230	Non-firing rehearsal of the tactical scenario
1330	Questions and Answers
1400	Finished

 

Event Schedules

 

Battle Road Schedule, April 19 2025

Crown and Militia Forces
Parking: Check back soon for more details

Registration, Inspection and Ammunition Distribution:

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

• Crown Forces: Barker House – corner of Rt 2A and old Battle Road

Schedule

• 9:00 a.m. Registration open
• 11:15 a.m. Arms inspection and ammunition distribution
• 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 Guides: Check back soon for more details.

Registration: Minute Man Visitor Center

Schedule

• TBD Guides registration open
• 11:30 a.m. Lexington registration, inspection and ammunition
• 11:45 p.m. Guides briefing
• 12:00 p.m. Guides deploy to demonstration area
• 12:15 a.m. Lexington wreath laying and volley at Parker's Revenge
• 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: Check back soon for more details

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

• TBD. –Parking Areas Open
• TBD –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