Minute Man

https://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minute_Man_National_Historical_Park Minute Man National Historical Park commemorates the opening battle in the American Revolutionary War. It also includes the Wayside, home in turn to three noted American authors. The National Historical Park protects 970 acres (392.5 ha) in and around the Massachusetts towns of Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord. At Minute Man National Historical Park the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775, and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of the Concord authors. Minute Man National Historical Park is located just off of I-95, exit 46B (old exit 30B), Rt 2A west, starting in Lexington, then west through Lincoln and into Concord. Hartwell Tavern Hartwell Tavern is open seasonally on select dates between June and October each year. Continue west on Rt 2A for approximately one mile past Minute Man Visitor Center. The parking lot will be on your right. Minute Man Visitor Center OPEN HOURS: on the following dates: April 5th & 6th: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm April 12th & 13th: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm April 15 - April 21: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm April 25 - April 27 May 2 - June 30: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm July 1 through August: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm September through October 31: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm "The Road to Revolution" multimedia presentation every 30 minutes starting at 9:00 am. Reservations are not accepted. The show runs 27 minutes in duration.  From I 95/Rt 128 take exit 46B (old exit 30B), Rt 2A West. You will go through two sets of lights and see signs that you are entering the park. Continue on Rt 2A West for about a quarter of a mile. You will pass by Minute Man Visitor Center on your right. Continue for approx. 100 yards and the parking area is on your right. If you pass the Paul Revere Capture Site you have gone too far. GPS Coordinates: 42.448798, -71.273326 North Bridge Visitor Center The North Bridge visitor center will be open earlier this season on the following dates: \ HOURS OF OPERATION: 10 am - 5 pm April 5 & 6 April 12 & 13 April 15 - 21 April 23 April 25 through April 27: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm May 2 -through June 30: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm It is located about 500 yards from the North Bridge battle site. Here you can see exhibits about the battle, watch a short film, get park information and shop in the park store. Car From I-95/Rt 128 take exit 46B, Rt 2A West. Continue on Rt 2A. for approx. 3 miles. Bear right onto Lexington Road. Continue for approx. 3 miles to Concord Center. Take a right onto Monument St. Parking for North Bridge is 0.5 miles on the right. North Bridge Visitor Center: In Concord Center, take a right onto Monument St. Continue for approx. 1/2 a mile. Cross the river and take a left on Liberty St. The visitor center is at the top of the hill on your left. GPS Coordinates: 42.471226, -71.353360 The Wayside: Home of Authors Over more than three hundred years, The Wayside and its families witnessed and influenced both Concord's and America's recorded history. In 1775 the Wayside was home to Samuel Whitney the muster master for Concord's minute men and a delegate to the Provincial Congress. In the 19th century famed authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney (Harriet Lothrop) lived at this incredible site. Captain William Smith House Located on Battle Road, the Smith House was home of Captain John Smith of the Lincoln Militia. The Smith House is a witness to the days events of April 19, 1775. Park Ranger Programs A park ranger stands in front of a stone obelisk monument pointing and talking to visitors Guided Talks & Walks at Minute Man Living History! A small cannon fires a large blast of flame. History comes alive! The Battle Road Trail A narrow dirt track runs through green fields shaded by large trees. Walk in the footsteps of history The Wayside: Home of Authors A large mansion house made of wood with wrap around porch and tower room. Surrounded by large trees The Wayside: Home of Authors North Bridge Visitor Center A three story brick mansion house with paved walkway leading to door. Green bushes flank both sides. North Bridge Visitor Center North Bridge A wooden bridge spans the Concord river as people walk and canoe paddlers gluide under the bridge North Bridge, Concord Massachusetts British Soldiers on the Old North Bridge British soldiers marching together over the a wooden bridge. A stone monument towers behind. British Soldiers on the move British Soldiers on Battle Road An open field with trees and stone wall. British soldiers in red coats march in the distance. British Regulars on Battle Road Minute Men on the march A group of militia soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder with muskets march down a dirt road. Minute Men Women in the news! Print Media in the 1770's A woman in 1770's clothing stands behind a table filled with materials for printing newspapers. Learn about the lives of the women who lived, worked, and participated in the American Revolution! The Minute Man Statue A bronze statue of a minute man stands with musket and plow The Minute Man Statue NPS Recognizes Concord Fire Department for Saving Historic Structure Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts, can count on the local Concord Fire Department. The park has relied on the department’s expertise twice to save The Wayside: Home of Authors, in 2012 and again in 2014. Fully functional fire detection and suppression systems; annual inspection, testing, and maintenance; a working relationship with the department; familiarity with the building; and proper safety planning during renovation saved the building. Concord Fire Department Patriots' Weekend 2019 This year marked the 244th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. As the tradition has been since Massachusetts declared the third Monday of the Month as “Patriot’s Day” visitors turn out to experience the offerings in Minute Man National Historical Park as well as area communities which were involved on that day in 1775. Men dressed as British soldiers from the Revolution secure a building Celebrating 60 Years at Minute Man National Historic Site On September 21, 2019, Minute Man National Historical Park celebrated its 60th anniversary with a weekend of events focused on the community, the arts and the story of the park's creation. The park was recognized beyond the local area, with a proclamation read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives which added to the excitement of the special day. Two people, one in uniform, hold a document NETN Species Spotlight - Your Flowers, Shrubs, and Plants Native species - birds, insects, plants, etc - need our help. When planning your yard layout, consider adding some valuable native plants to the mix. Red maple flowers NETN Species Spotlight - Wild Turkey Wild Turkeys are one of the most iconic species in America. They have a long, and as it turns out, mythic history. Wild Tom Turkey. Wayne Dumbleton. NETN Species Spotlight - Hermit Thrush The Hermit Thrush's ethereal song is a mainstay of summers in the Northeastern U.S. But climate change could mean its song will only be heard north of the border if warming continues unabated. A Hermit Thrush perches on the forest floor. National Park Forests - More Than a Pretty Picture A study led by NETN shows that eastern National Park forests hold greater complexity and ecosystem function that the surrounding forest. A forest tech measures the size of a tree. Species Spotlight - Red Crossbill The Red Crossbillis one of the most unique and specialized birds of North America. Learn about their traits and habits, and how you may encounter a flock of them during this irruption year. . A Red Crossbill sits on a conifer tree. Patriots’ Day 2017 Patriots’ Day, the annual celebration of the events of April 19, 1775 has just concluded. Minute Man National Historical Park schedules numerous events over three consecutive weekends, which together are called Patriots’ Weekend. Along with National Park Week, April kicks off the park season with this unique Massachusetts event. Reenactors in period costumes fire guns. Citizen Science in the Digital Age With well over 100 citizen-science based apps now available for smartphones, there is no lack of opportunity for people of all ages and affectations to significantly add to the collective knowledge base about many aspects of the natural world. The phrase “there is an app for that” has perhaps never been more true for natural resource monitoring. Students use microscopes to identify pond species at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP Bioblitz. Designing the Parks: Learning in Action The Designing the Parks program is not your typical internship. Each year since 2013, this program at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation has introduced a cohort of college students and recent graduates to NPS design and planning professions through projects related to cultural landscape stewardship. In the internships, made possible by partner organizations, participants focus on an in-depth project that directly engages with a national park unit. A group of young people stand on forest trail and listen to two maintenance employees NETN Species Spotlight - Ruby-throated Hummingbird The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only bird of that species that makes its home east of the Mississippi. Learn more about this remarkable bird. A hummingbird feeds on a flower Horticulture Students from Minuteman High School Revitalize Gardens at Historic Buttrick Mansion in Concord and are filmed for “This Old House” CONCORD - Students in the Horticulture and Landscape Technology program at Minuteman High School in Lexington recently had a unique opportunity to use their technical skills outside the classroom. They helped restore the gardens at the historic Buttrick mansion in Concord, where they were filmed by the Emmy Award- winning PBS television program, “This Old House.” The broadcast featuring the Minuteman students is tentatively scheduled to air in late 2017. Students and a teacher pose with tools for an outside photograph. Independence Day at Minute Man National Historical Park Minute Man National Historical Park celebrated Independence Day with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Park volunteers, rangers and hundreds of guests from around the country made it a point to be at North Bridge for the annual reading of the document which announced that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states, no longer under the rule of Great Britain. Men in 18th century garb stand in formation for an event. Fire Prevention 52: Hot Work, San Francisco Maritime Hot work is any type of work that can produce a source of ignition when combustible material is present. This includes welding, torch cutting, soldering, and work done with tar kettles. Building fires caused by this type of work are quite common, and have occurred in San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park and in Yellowstone. Includes link to NPS hot work permit form. close view of welding tools in action with a flame NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. dawn at north bridge NETN Species Spotlight: Monarch Butterfly The monarch butterfly is a majestic insect. Mimicry, migration, and metamorphosis all help to make it the true king of butterflies. But it's numbers have been dropping dramatically in recent years. Learn more about this amazing species and how you can help to save it. Monarch butterfly on a Meadow Blazing Star plant NETN Species Spotlight: Japanese Knotweed Japanese knotweed is a very robust invasive plant species. Learn why it spreads so readily outside of its native Japan, and how the NPS and other groups are trying to control it. Japanese knotweed plant NETN Species Spotlight: Acorn Barnacle Barnacles may at first glance appear to have the most boring of lives. But dig a little deeper into these crafty crustaceans, and you'll learn they are among the most fascinating of seashore creatures. Barnacle feeding close-up NETN Species Spotlight - Northern Short-tailed Shrew The northern short-tailed shrew seems like an impossible mash-up of different creatures. From venomous saliva to echolocation, this tiny predator employs many tactics to satiate an endless appetite. Short-tailed Shrew The Positive Side of Zero For something that essentially represents "nothingness", the number zero carries a lot of weight when collecting data. a stone zero What’s the Buzz? How Bees Interrelate with Birds, Wildflowers, and Deer Ecosystems are complex and intricate and sometimes have a surprising web of relationships. Learn how deer, bees, birds, and wildflowers connect in the park ecosystems of the northeast. A bee pollinates a wildflower Wild, Wacky, and Weird Weather. What the? A look at the difference between weather and climate. A Vermont blizzard. NETN Species Spotlight - Fisher The fisher is a very capable predator of northeastern forests. Learn about the ways this large member of the weasel family makes its living. A large male fisher sitting Species Spotlight - Giant Hogweed Giant hogweed is a particularly nasty intruder across much of the country. Find out how the NPS looks for it in parks, and what to do if you spot one in your yard. A person is dwarfed by a giant hogweed plant. NETN Species Spotlight - Eastern Coyote The eastern coyote is a new predator on the scene. But where did it come from and why is it so much larger than its western cousins? Learn about how this animal came to be and the important ecological niches it is filling in the Northeast. A coyote stares at the camera. Patriots' Weekend 2018 Patriots' Weekend at Minute Man National Historical Park for April 2018. John McConnell leads march of patriot and redcoats to North Bridge, Concord, MA. Lessons Learned from a Decade of Forest Health Monitoring in NETN After more than 10 years of monitoring forest health in NETN parks, plant ecologist Kate Miller shares here knowledge and insights and current forest conditions and tips on long term forest management. A forest glade Fire Prevention 52: A Fire Ignites and Threatens to Claim a Historic NPS Structure At The Wayside: Home of Authors, in Minuteman National Historical Park, sparks from a welding operation ignited a fire on the exterior of the historic structure. However, quick action by employees effectively using a fire extinguisher stopped the fire in its earliest stages. Includes links to NPS hot work policy and permit form. Great Walden BioBlitz 2019 was a huge success The Great Walden BioBlitz was a collaboration between The Walden Woods Project, Minute Man National Historical Park, the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, and local naturalist Peter Alden. More than 243 individuals participated using the iNaturalist app, citing 4,175 observations with 1,092 species identified. An additional 110 invited biologist and naturalists compiled their observations with pen and paper and will add to the total observations for the July 6, 2019 event. Picturing Parker's Revenge Battle Site Just hours after the first shots of the American Revolution were fired on the town green in Lexington, Captain Parker led his company back into the fight. Where did this take place? This question formed the basis of a multi-year project, involving archeologists and volunteers with the NPS and the Friends of Minute Man National Park. The investigation changed what we thought we knew about the battle. This year, new exhibits allow visitors to share in this discovery. A British regular soldier reenactor in a red coat addresses a crowd, standing in a wooded area NETN Field Note: Deer, Worms, and Invasives When too many deer, earthworms, and invasive plant species work i concert, detrimental effects happen to the health of northeastern forests. Forest health monitoring NETN Species Spotlight - Turkey and Black Vultures Vultures have the thankless job of cleaning the environment up of dead animal carcasses. Learn how they are able to do it without getting sick from deadly bacteria. Close-up of a Black Vulture. Doug Greenberg. NETN Species Spotlight - Sharp-shinned Hawk About the size of a Blue-Jay, Sharp-shinned Hawks are aerial acrobats and are the smallest of three North American agile hawks known as the accipiters (ah-sip-it-ers). Learn more about this amazing and oft misunderstood hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on a branch NETN Species Spotlight - Snowshoe Hare Snowshoe hare are perfectly adapted to their cold, snow environments. Even so, a warming climate and a complex predator/prey relationship has a large influence on their overall population. The enormous hind feet of snowshoe hare. NETN Species Spotlight - Ruffed Grouse Ruffed Grouse have evolved many effective and surprising traits that allow them to survive northeastern winters. Ruffed Grouse displaying Lucas Bobay Structural Fire Prevention: Protecting Our Ghosts Many threats make managing our cultural resources challenging, especially fire. Article details the 1982 electrical fire at Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Northeast Region became the first to establish a regional structural fire program manager position. NPS has more than 1,330 historic properties and a collection containing more than 105 million items. The NPS cannot underestimate the threat of structural fires to our cultural resources, let alone the risk to employees. photos of exterior building serious damage from an electrical fire in 1982 NETN Species Spotlight - Short-tailed Weasel The short-tailed weasel is as energetic as it is resourceful. It has had a reputation of being both virtuous and vile over the centuries. Find out more about the amazing capabilities of this slender member of the weasel family An ermine in full white. NETN Species Spotlight - Paper Birch The Paper Birch is undeniably a tree of the north woods. Entwined in lore and legend, it has been a key part of ecosystems and cultures since well before the time of the Neanderthals even. Paper birch trees in winter. Revolutionary War Garfields Lexington and Concord was the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. Find out how an ancestor of President Garfield was involved in the battle. picture showing soldiers in the battle of Lexington and Concord NETN Species Spotlight - Serviceberry Though it goes by many names, the serviceberry tree is much loved by people and birds alike. Learn more about one of spring's first bloomers and why you should plant one in your yard. Serviceberries ripening. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne Though Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Nathaniel Hawthorne graduated together as members of Bowdoin College’s class of 1825, the friendship between the two men truly started in 1837. They would remain friends and literary colleagues the rest of their lives. Engraving of young man looking down in profile Stone Walls of Minute Man NHP Article about stone walls in Concord, MA Intrusted to a Letter Harry Dana procured a unique assortment of letters from the American Revolution, largely related to George Washington’s time in his Cambridge headquarters. Now in the collections of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, these letters provide insight into what people chose to “intrust to a Letter." signature block of letter Husking Parties in Concord, Massachusetts “ The season was cheerful, the weather was bright, when a number assembled to frolic all night.” - Jacob Baily, Loyalist Poet Although Halloween was not celebrated near Concord, Massachusetts until late in the 19th century, the locals did have festivities referred to as “husking parties,” and “frolics.” Many people gather in a large open barn filled with hay to husk corn. Archeology ABCs Coloring Book Archeology paints a colorful picture of the past! Download and print this full coloring book packed with archeological objects from A to Z! Title page for coloring book entitled Archeology ABCs Coloring Book Invasive Species at Minute Man NHP An explanation of invasive species and invasive species list for Minute Man NHP in Concord, Massachusetts. Purple loosestrife clouds the riverside landscape with the North Bridge in the background. Geology Of Minute Man NHP A history of the geology of Minute Man National Historical Park and the geological implications for the battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 Wetlands - Minute Man NHP A brief explanation of the types of wetlands found within Minute Man National Historical Park. A frog with amber eyes sits on a log in a vernal pool. Forests at Minute Man NHP A brief overview of the history of forest management, clear cutting and return in and around Minute Man NHP. A maple tree behind a rock wall Minuteman and Minute Man In 1958, the US Air Force named their newest nuclear missile system in honor of the Revolutionary War Minute Men of Lexington and Concord. Learn more about why this name matters. Captain Parker statue at Lexington Green in front of a Minuteman Missile, 1960 Species Spotlight - Puffballs Puffballl mushrooms offer many joys - from stomping on them as children to eating them fried with butter. Learn more about this natural history of this fascinating fungi. Puffball emitting spores. "The Dust of Many a Hard-Fought Field" - Place Attachment and Agriculture at Minute Man The "embattled farmers" of 1775 were firmly rooted in the soil of New England. This sense of place was intimately tied to their understandings of liberty and identity. They were among a long line of people to call this home, going back thousands of years. A farm field in autumn. Trees showing autumnal colors National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map Plant Profile: Hawthorn at Minute Man National Historical Park This botanically unique hawthorn tree has stood for over 160 years in front of the library at The Wayside, which was home to multiple authors over the years. Half its branches bloom with double white flowers, and about a week later the back half of the hawthorn blooms single white flowers with pink stamens. Minute Man National Historical Park has established a propagation plan to preserve the Hawthorne hawthorn for future generations. Small white flowers and pale green leaves cover the crown of a hawthorn tree beside a house. All Hope is Not Lost – Parks plan strategically to treat invasive plants Managing invasive plant species can seem like an endless and insurmountable challenge, but parks are using a new strategic collaborative tool to protect their most valuable resources. Four photos show invasive plants spreading over an area during 12 years "boldly defending the cause of his Countries rights:" Daniel Hemenway's April 19 Wound In this article, historian Joel Bohy tracks down the name of a militiaman who suffered a debilitating wound on April 19, 1775, and his efforts to secure a pension for his sacrifice. A colonial minute man with a knapsack and blanket firing a musket in the woods A Tale of Two Cannons Two bronze cannons named “The Adams” and “The Hancock” once stood in the chamber at the top of the Bunker Hill Monument. Learn about their journeys from active cannons during the Revolutionary War to artifacts visited by thousands today. Two cannons hanging parallel to windows inside the top of the Bunker Hill Monument Mary Hartwell and the Alarm on April 19, 1775 Mary Flint Hartwell has a prominent role in local lore about the events in the early hours of April 19, 1775. The most vivid version has her carrying the alarm to Captain William Smith in the middle of the night, thus ensuring the his company of Lincoln Minute Men would be ready to face the enemy. Historian Don Hafner explores the origins of this story to uncover the historical truth. Person in colonial clothing with a lantern approaches a wooden house at night. Species Spotlight - Cecropia Moth Cecropia moths are the largest moth in North America. Their fascinating one-year life cycle is one of the most amazing transformations known to nature. Face of a male cecropia moth. John Hannigan, Patriots of Color Bibliography Patriots of Color, Bibliography John Hannigan, Patriots of Color Appendix Paper 4: Patriots of Color Appendix Enslavement and Enlistment Examine how changing Massachusetts laws concerning the enlistment of men of color in the military affected their opportunities to serve during the Revolution as well as their chances of being emancipated, if enslaved. Service with the British Army Did any men of color from Massachusetts fight with the British? What would enslaved men hope to gain by fighting for the British, a distant imperial power conceived by the revolutionaries to be enslaving all colonists? Patriots of Color in Massachusetts How many men of color from Massachusetts fought in the American Revolution? How many were free? How many were enslaved? Independence or Freedom What would enslaved men hope to gain by fighting on the side of the revolutionaries for a liberty that was not conceived to include them? What effects did revolutionary service on either side, revolutionary of British, have on the subsequent lives of men of color who were enslaved at the outset of the conflict, and the subsequent lives of their families? Patriots of Color Service on April 19, 1775 How many men of color served on April 19, and from which towns? Invasion of the Biome Bashers Invasive plants are a concerning and growing issue for eastern national parks. Learn what is spreading, and how some parks are seeing success in managing them. Glossy buckthron Alyssa Kariofyllis, Women of the Battle Road Bibliography Women of the Battle Road Bibliography Women Of The Battle Road Appendix Women of the Battle Road Appendix. Listing of Families along the Battle Road. Women During The Lead Up To War What role did women in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington play in the social, economic, and political forces leading up to April 19th? Who Were The Women of the Battle Road? Who were the women in the households along the Battle Road in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington on April 19th, 1775? Women On April 19, 1775 What role did women in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington play in the social, political, and military needs of their communities on April 19th? Local Women After the War Did the roles and responsibilities assumed by women in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington during the Revolution alter their status after the War? Women's Opportunities For Education Along The Battle Road. What opportunities for education were available to women and girls in Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington, either provided by the town or in households? Notes on Wool, Cotton Canvas, and Linen by Henry Cooke Discussion about the use of wool fabrics and the lack of Cotton Canvas on April 19, 1775. Commentary On Snapsacks Snapsacks in Colonial New England 1775 "Bread and Provisions on a March" -Why Massachusetts Militia Companies Did Not Carry Haversacks on the Eve of the American Revolution "Bread and Provisions on a March" -Why Massachusetts Militia Companies Did Not Carry Haversacks on the Eve of the American Revolution List of 18th Century Toys & Games List of 18th Century Toys & Games 18th Century Stockings Research by Carol Kocian 18th Century Stocking research by Carol Kocian Directing Tories in Their Road: Ensign DeBerniere's Missions to Worcester and Concord In the late winter of 1775, General Thomas Gage sent two British officers, Captain William Brown and Ensign Henry DeBerniere, and Brown's servant named John, an a secret reconnaissance mission to sketch the countryside and map the roads in preparation for a possible expedition in the spring to seize Colonial arms and supplies. The narrative, written by Henry DeBerniere, published in Boston in 1779, provides an interesting view of the mood of the people on the brink of war. An old yellowed map showing a rough sketch of roads and towns in eastern Massachusetts in 1775 The Embattled British Column: Survival Against the Odds on the Battle Road This article explores the dire situation that confronted the British soldiers who marched to Concord on April 19, 1775 and how they faced the challenges of fighting their way 18 miles back to Boston. Revolutionary War British soldiers in red coats, black caps and muskets march side by side Triaging Invasive Plants: Strategic Planning Drives Success A winning strategy to combat invasive plants becomes a potent tool for restoring special places in several eastern parks. Rachel Vincent removes invasive knotweed from a historic stone wall Unfinished: America at 250 Unfinished: America at 250 is a partnership of historical and cultural institutions, National Park Service sites, historians, and changemakers. This partnership harnesses the stories of the past and activates historic spaces to provoke community conversations about the ongoing American Revolution. Unfinished: America at 250 graphic with people along the bottom Resilient Forests Initiative - Managing Deer Impacts A healthy forest needs to have enough tree seedlings and saplings to regenerate the forest canopy after a disturbance. Analysis of NPS I&M and other long-term datasets makes it clear that many eastern national parks lack adequate tree regeneration due to decades of over browsing by white-tailed deer. Deer impacts The People of Fiske Hill In the early afternoon of April 19, 1775, British troops reached Ebenezer Fiske’s house on Fiske Hill, where he lived with his son Benjamin I and his daughter-in-law Rebecca. The 4,978 artifacts from three archeological excavations reveal the material culture held by the Fiske family and the people they enslaved. Bowl of a smoking pipe I&M Networks Support Resilient Forest Management NPS Inventory and Monitoring Networks have been tracking forest health in eastern national parks since 2006. This monitoring information can guide resilient forest management and support parks in adapting to changing conditions through the actions described below. Forest health monitoring Managing Resilient Forests. A Regional Initiative Forests cover tens of thousands of acres in eastern national parks and these critical resources face a range of interacting stressors: over-abundant white-tailed deer populations, invasive plant dominance, novel pests and pathogens, among other threats. The Resilient Forests Initiative will help parks address these issue collectively. Forest health monitoring Series: Managing Resilient Forests Initiative for Eastern National Parks Forests in the northeastern U.S. are in peril. Over-abundant deer, invasive plants, and insect pests are negatively impacting park forests, threatening to degrade the scenic vistas and forested landscapes that parks are renowned for. With regional collaboration, parks can manage these impacts and help forests be resilient. This article series explores tools available to park managers to achieve their goals. Healthy forests have many native seedlings and saplings. Species Spotlight - Eastern Phoebe The return of Eastern Phoebes early each spring is a soul-satisfying, calendar-turning event after a long northeastern winter. Eastern Phoebe "It was a sound of death to us all” Rebekah Fiske and the outbreak of war. On April 19, 1775, Rebekah Fiske experienced the horrors of war firsthand. When a fierce battle between British regulars and Massachusetts Militia swept through her family farm Rebekah absconded to a safer location. Over 52 years later, Rebekah still remembered the terror of that experience and narrated her story to a reporter from the Harvard Register. This is her story: A low stone wall marks 3 sides of a house foundation in an open field. Resilient Forests Initiative - Managing Invasive Plants & Pests Park forests are threatened by invasive plants and pests. Strategically tackling invasive plants to protect park’s highest priority natural resources and planning around forest pests and pathogens are important actions in managing resilient forests. Forest Regeneration Species Spotlight - Deer Tick Deer ticks are an increasing problem in the northeast. Learn more about why they are increasing, the way they spread Lyme disease, and how to prevent getting a tick bite. And there are also lizards. Warm lizard. How an Insect Became a National Park Service Superhero Through the power of partnerships, the Dragonfly Mercury Project elevated the importance of a commonly found insect. It also showed that citizen science can be a potent research tool. A group of young people surround a man in an NPS uniform holding a net next to a stream Species Spotlight - Dragonflies Dragonflies have incredible powers of flight and vision. Learn how they use these to catch just about anything they want on the wing. Dragonfly nymph. Species Spotlight - White Ash White ash trees are an integral part of the forests of the Northeast, and they are under grave threat of ceasing to exist as a mature canopy species in the near future. The culprit is a tiny invasive insect called the Emerald Ash Borer. Learn more about the current state of ash trees in the region, and learn how to help slow the spread of this destructive forest pest. White ash seedling Species Spotlight - Oaks Oaks appear so often in the story of humanity that it could scarcely have been written without them. Learn more about this amazing trees species and how it has shaped cultures across the world. A white oak branch with acorns Species Spotlight - Flying Squirrels Tiny and cute, flying squirrels are efficient gliders with a few surprises tucked away under their furry sleeves. A Southern Flying Squirrel. Stockings of Runaways Advertised in Rhode Island by Paul Dickfoss “grey worsted,” “mixt blue Yarn,” “White ribb’d worsted”: Stockings of Runaways Advertised in Rhode Island by Paul Dickfoss Species Spotlight - Red Fox Legendary for their cunning cleverness, red fox are equally at home in the trackless wilderness as they are in a tract-housing development. It has established itself world-wide, and it's very particular set of skills makes it a nightmare for hapless meadow voles. A Red Fox. Intern Spotlight: Estrella Sainburg Meet Estrella, a former Trails Planning and GIS Assistant with the Latino Heritage Internship Program! A young latina woman smiling, wearing a blue shirt with a statue behind her. Species Spotlight - Black Bear Bears have endured a paradoxical reputation for centuries. At once being associated with cuddly teddy bears and the helpful Smokey Bear, as well as a ferocious, blood-thirsty beast. As we learn more about their mind-boggling biology however, they may start to occupy a new niche in the popular mind - that of a natural marvel. A sitting black bear Species Spotlight - Woodland Box Turtle Box turtles have evolved the familiar turtle shell to near perfection, holding the ability to close of its head and legs within its hinged under shell. A turtle supports the Earh on its back Boston Tea Party Timeline The destruction of East India Company tea on December 16, 1773 by a Boston mob was a catalyst that brought about dramatic escalation in the political crisis between Great Britain and the North American colonies, particularly Massachusetts Bay. Follow the Boston Tea Party in this timeline of events. A crowd of people gather on a wharf to cheer men dumping chest of tea from a ship in Boston Harbor. Species Spotlight - Moose Moose have long been revered animal by native peoples. In recent decades it has been suffering from a combination of warming winters, parasitic brainworms, and winter ticks. Biologists across its range are working on ways to hwlp. A moose in thick forest. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Project Profile: Restore Eastern Grasslands The National Park Service will restore up to 4,000 acres of agricultural fields and degraded lands across 37 parks in 15 states. This landscape-scale restoration project will expand the range and connectivity of native grasslands across the eastern US, restore biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions, reduce pesticide use, benefit people and wildlife, and create employment opportunities for diverse early career youth. A park manager and others standing amidst a grassy landscape. How Pollinator Inventories Can Inform Park Management Decisions Pollinators play a crucial role in national park ecosystems and beyond. In the national parks, species inventories help managers know which pollinators are present, and in what abundance, to better understand the state of park ecosystems and make decisions about how to manage them. From 2024 to 2026, 17 parks across the country will be surveyed for bees and butterflies. Bee laden with pollen sits atop a purple flower. Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon Creepy Catherine~ A Frozen Charlotte Doll in Minute Man's Collection In the collection of Minute Man National Historical Park is a small ceramic figurine that stands a little more than an inch tall. Her clothing is very old fashioned and her face is utterly devoid of expression. Her disposition is rather melancholy and she prefers to keep vigil in lonely, dark places in the park where most people, even experienced rangers, would hesitate to go. A small ceramic doll with a face void of expression and remorse. Species Spotlight - Water Striders Water striders effortlessly float and skate over the surface of water bodies around the world. Learn how they do it, and how they can be a good sign of water quality. A floating water strider Volunteer Archivists Decipher Thousands of Untold Stories from the American Revolution 18th-19th Century pension documents hold fascinating stories of the everyday people touched by the American Revolutionary War. Today, any volunteer with a computer can reveal those stories by transcribing the documents. A science-writer intern discovered the story of Sarah Martin, the widow of a New Jersey militiaman. Two historic documents. Project Profile: Managing Resilient Eastern Forests The National Park Service will improve the ecological health of eastern forests in 38 parks using an array of management techniques. The NPS has selected forest ecosystems of high ecological and cultural value across multiple parks from Virginia to Maine that are at greatest risk of forest loss due to chronic and interacting stressors. Person gazes up at a tall tree “A Standing Affliction to us:” French Acadian Refugees in Concord In late 1755 the British government began removing thousands of Acadians from the Acadian Peninsula, modern day New Brunswick. These families were dispersed into communities throughout the British North American colonies. This is the story of one Acadian family, the LeBlancs, who were sent to live in Concord in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. A group of people in 18th century clothing walk with baggage through the woods Amphibians, Reptiles, and Birds at Barrett’s Farm Barrett’s Farm, in present-day Minute Man National Historical Park, played a significant role in 1775 in the first armed conflict of the American Revolution. Although Barrett’s Farm is known largely for its history, biologists wanted to learn more about the wildlife inhabiting the site. The National Park Service and its partners set out in 2023 to find out what types of amphibians, reptiles, and birds occur at Barrett’s Farm. A three-story, brown wooden house with steep roof on a plot of open land with some leafless trees. We Found Passion and Purpose in New Pollinator Studies Pollinators are in danger, and national parks want to help. Two early-career scientists piloted research projects to find out how they could. Side-by-side photos of two young women, each holding monarch butterflies and smiling at the camera. Inventory & Monitoring Partnerships Aim to Improve Park Forest Health from Coast to Coast From coast to coast, the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division is helping park managers improve the health and function of forest ecosystems. From promoting resilient forests in the Northeast, to conserving whitebark pine in the West, to protecting Hawaiian forest birds from avian malaria, scientific partnerships are helping parks to share information, leverage funding sources, and work together for outcomes that extend beyond what any park could accomplish on its own. Four people, one in NPS uniform, stand in a forest. Three look upward through binoculars. Hidden in Plain Sight: Old Growth Remnant Grasslands During 2024 scouting for a large eastern grassland restoration project funded by IRA and BIL, several old growth remnant grasslands were identified in National Capital and Northeast Region parks that were previously unknown. These remnants preserve the genetic integrity of the original grassland flora of the eastern US and are true unexpected treasures that in some cases, were hidden in plain sight. a grassland landscape with distant trees The Hancock Cannon “The Hancock” cannon was one of two guns purchased by the Massachusetts General Court for the Boston Artillery Company in 1766. These state-of-the-art military weapons were a source of great pride. Supporters of the Patriot cause stole the cannon from Boston during September 1774. On April 19, 1775, British General Thomas Gage sent 800 Regular Army Soldiers to Concord with others to destroy the cannon. This action ignited the American Revolutionary War. A group of Militia Artillery Soldiers standing around a 3 pounder brass cannon. Rise and Fall of Foliage Fall foliage in the Northeastern U.S. is a spectacular natural event, bringing millions of tourists and billions of dollar to the region each autumn. But climate change threatens to permanently dullen it if immediate action is taken. Fall colors blanket the hillsides “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens. Series: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Authors of the United States This series examines Longfellow's personal and professional relationships with other preeminent authors of the United States. Engraving of an imagined gallery filled with seated and standing authors of the United States Species Spotlight - Tree and Plant Communication From underground mycorrhizal networks to ultrasonic sound emissions and chemical signaling through the air. The plants and trees of the forest have a language and ability to communicate that science is only beginning to understand. A tree with roots that go deep into the soil A New Way to Study Bees The National Park Service (NPS) is on a mission to deepen its understanding of the bees living in parks. Traditional survey methods require significant time, specialized expertise, and the collection of specimens from their natural habitats for species-level identification. With limited bee specialists available and a growing need for efficient, cost-effective methods, the NPS sought an alternative approach. A small green bee foraging on a white and yellow daisy. Species Spotlight - American Kestrel American Kestrel are incredible aerial acrobats. They are still the most common falcon species in North America, but their numbers have plummeted alarmingly, and they need our help. American Kestrel NETN Species Spotlight - Little Brown Bat Bats are among the most misunderstood of creatures. They are extremely important members of many ecosystems, and their numbers have taken a huge hit the past few years from white-nose syndrome. Learn more about little brown bats and how you can help them. A bat flaps its wings

Minute Man Two weeks after Lexington and Concord, Connecticut militia man Amos Doolittle visited the area and interviewed eyewitnesses. His engravings are the most reliable depiction of the day's events. Here on Lexington Common British soldiers are shown firing at American militia men in the first hostile action of the American Revolution. In Service of the King Minute Man National Historical Park Massachusetts Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn watched as British troops searched Concord door-to-door for stores of provincial arms, which they burned or threw into the town pond. The first real engagement of the day took place at North Bridge outside Concord. Rebel militia forced the British across the American Resistance Clockwise from top left: Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage, Commander in Chief of the British Army in America and Governor General of Massachusetts, knew conflict was inevitable. "The first stroke will decide a great deal," he told London. Maj. John Pitcairn, a respected officer, was appalled at the uncontrolled firing by British soldiers. Lt. Col. Francis Smith headed the expedition. Though experienced, he was slow and deliberate—a disadvantage in a surprise operation. Lord Hugh Percy, commanding the relief column, countered American tactics with artillery and saved the British column from annihilation. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT VALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART. PAUL MELLON COLLECTION; LEXINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY; NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, I ONDON I EXINGTQN HISTORIC Al SOCIFTY Discontent smoldering in the American colonies under British rule flared into open hostilities on April 19, 1775. On a stretch of country road outside Boston a prolonged skirmish between 3,500 colonial militia men and 1,700 of His Majesty's redcoats opened the American Revolution. The initial fighting in the war was a local action between Britain and her recalcitrant colony of Massachusetts. The government had clamped down in reaction to the colony's resistance to the Mother Country's economic policies. For a year a British army under Gen. Thomas Gage had occupied Boston. Pressed by the ministry in London to quell rebellion by arresting the rabblerousers Samuel Adams and John Hancock, Gage chose instead to take what he thought was the less inflammatory step of confiscating the patriots' arms supply in Concord. But incompetence and miscalculation doomed what he meant to be a limited, routine operation. Gage depended on secrecy to seize the arms before the people of Concord could resist, but Boston knew of the operation before the troops left, and the arms at Concord were soon hidden. Couriers Paul Revere and William Dawes notified Adams and Hancock in Lexington that the British were on their way. Mixups delayed the British departure for hours, giving the colonists more time to prepare. Finally the local militia and minute men were not the contemptible, undisciplined mob Gage took them to be. They had trained for months and had well-rehearsed plans for immediate reaction to a British incursion. CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETL bridge and drove them back into the town. Colonel Smith's troops (far right), retreating under American fire (foreground), were met and saved by General Percy's 'A People Armed and Numerous' Clockwise from top left: Paul Revere, a propagandist and courier for the Committee of Correspondence, rode to warn provincial leaders that the British were marching. Patriot firebrand Samuel Adams hoped the fighting in Massachusetts would spur other colonies to take up arms. Dr. Joseph Warren was an orator and fighter who encouraged militia with the words "They have begun it—we will end it." ALL: MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON Gage gave command of the British troops to Lt. Col. Francis Smith, a ponderous, tactically unimaginative officer who slowed an already delayed operation. By the time Smith's advance troops under Maj. John Pitcairn arrived in Lexington it was dawn and Capt. John Parker had his militia lined up on Lexington Common. Because he had only 77 men, Parker had no thought of impeding the 700 British soldiers. He wanted to make a display of patriot resolve. But as the militia men slowly obeyed Pitcairn's order to disperse, a shot was fired—it is not clear from which side—and the green British soldiers, ignoring orders to stop, began firing at will at the fleeing Americans. When Pitcairn and Smith regained control, eight Americans lay dead. As the British troops continued down the road to Concord, news of the shooting spread to neighboring communities, and militia men flocked to the British line of march between Boston and Concord. At Concord, British soldiers began searching house-to-house for arms. Smith sent seven companies across the North Bridge to seize the supplies hidden at Col. James Barrett's farm. The militia men who had fallen back to Punkatasset Hill advanced on the three companies left to guard the bridge. As the militia approached they saw the smoke of burning military supplies rising from town.