This site is in the cute little town of Concord, and the site itself has a beautiful visitor center…read more(former Buttrick family residence) which contains a small informational exhibit. What's really nice is the outdoors. There's a garden space where you have a good lookout of the North Bridge, a significant location where the Minute Man faced the British Army. The path to the bridge is not too far of a walk, and you can see a beautiful memorial quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "the shot heard round the world." I also liked the plaque honoring the graves of the British soldiers since a lot of lives were lost on both sides for American Independence. The bridge is a great scenic walk and great to do for both history and nature lovers.

Apart from being an important part of American History, this park is GORGEOUS! The North Bridge…read moreoverlooks a steady stream with trees along the banks. Plaques and monuments are erected over the places where one of the first battles of the American revolution was held. Plenty of space for walking as well

This farm house was formerly located elsewhere. It once belonged to an African American family in…read morethe 1800's. At that time slavery had been abolished for quite some time in Massachusetts, so they would have been considered "free blacks" until 1865 when all slaves were formally emancipated in the USA. I didn't get to see the inside of this house but walked around the outside. I estimate that this house is roughly 16' x 32'. It looks like there is a tiny second floor area. From the front it looks probably much like it did when it was first built. The back has a wheelchair ramp, a piece of metal contemporary art and an air conditioning unit in one window. There is a large bell, some seating, and an informative sign out front. It is not owned by the National Parks but is right next to the parking lot for the North Bridge. It would be easy to visit the bridge and the Old Manse (owned by the trustees) at the same time. While this house is not grand, like the Old Manse, it is important to acknowledge how all Americans have lived, whether their ancestors were born on American soil, chose to start a new life here, or were forced to.

The Robbins House Docent dressed in period costume was excellent, storytelling on the lawn in front…read moreof the 1823 Farmhouse* to a rapt audience on a lovely Summer afternoon. She cited such little-known facts as:: In 1641, Massachusetts was the 1st American Colony to legalize Slavery, as well as the 1st State to ban Slavery in 1783. John Hancock was a Slave Owner. Hmmmm . . . Some were led to believe that Slavery was strictly a Southern thing . . . Granted, The South was slow to enforce Abolition . . . *Restored & relocated to this site in 2011.

Such a wonderful, peaceful spot. It's incredible how you go from driving in a cute residential…read moreneighborhood, to taking a turn onto a quiet street that brings you to a parking lot to this wildlife refuge. Incredible. You pay $2 to park and then can walk around and soak it all in. I love how there's benches to sit and relax, and a handful of people had big cameras with large lenses to take cool pics while they bird watch. There's plenty of side trails you can venture out on too. The big loop we did ended up being 1.8 miles or so, and there's even a nice bike path right there too. Here, it's the perfect balance between it being not too busy at all, and not being completely empty too.

Great spot for birding. I recorded 45 bird species in one visit, and there were plenty of wild…read moreblueberries, raspberries, and grapes along the trails. Some sections are overgrown with lots of roots, so watch your footing, but that's part of the natural habitat. If you're into birds and wildlife, it's well worth the visit.

A truly fascinating home filled with rich literary, political, and revolutionary histories of those…read morewho lived in and visited the home. The grounds are free to roam and one can walk through the field leading down to the North Bridge where the shot heard round the world was heard. Tours are offered on the hour Thursdays thru Sundays, and we opted for the 1 hour tour, $15. We felt transported to the past, hearing the history of those who lived there throughout the years. Emerson wrote Nature here in the upstairs room and Hawthorne choose to write in the same space. The tour is informative and interesting and the house is well preserved. Specialty tours can be arranged and there is also a tour of the attic on certain days. There is a small gift shop with books and other items. A great experience.

Do not skip out on visiting the Old Manse! You absolutely need to visit this place! The Old Manse…read moreis immersed in history and literature, and I bought a tour ticket on the recommendation of a local tour guide. I'm very grateful I followed her recommendation! You can see the old North Bridge from the same room where Emerson and Hawthorne wrote some of their works. The guide let me play a little Chopin on the parlor piano. All the staff were very kind and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

For my birthday last year, I gifted myself a day's retreat in the house/room where Thoreau was…read moreborn. My entire trip to the Concord area was a transcendental pilgrimage in its own right, and my day alone in the home of seclusion's champion was more than meaningful. I read all the exhibit panels, wrote at the little desk by the window, picnicked on the lovely grounds for lunch, and read Emerson's "Read, then Write." I might have even slept a little in the peaceful, bird-sung quiet. It was a gift to have the entire day in this place, to see the shift of sunlight across the eaves, to contemplate the coming year. The staff made it so easy - they worked with me to shift days - and they made me feel absolutely welcome. It was quite humbling to have a key of my very own for the day! I came away with good written words, good philosophy, and a belief in the actuality of personal connection with literary heroes. Thank you for allowing it to happen!

I am so grateful for the writing space at the Writer's Retreat provided by the Thoreau Farm:…read moreBirthplace of Henry David Thoreau. It is a privilege to spend time in the very room that this American author was born. As the author and illustrator of eight children's books on Thoreau, I can attest that the Writer's Retreat has provided me the impetus for creating them during the numerous times I attended the Writer's Retreat. One might say that they were conceived in that room where many of my words and illustrations began. The Writer's Retreat provides a quiet space where one might write, read, and be reflective. It is beneficial to the amateur or professional writer or to anyone who just needs a space to think and read. The Farm is in a rural setting where one may take a meditative walk and is a special treasure. Imagine writing or reading on a replica of Henry's own green desk where he wrote his works. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to have a place to rest and think without any distractions in the room where Henry was born. Rebecca Migdal, Executive Director of the Thoreau Farm: Birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, is warm and welcoming to anyone who visits the Thoreau Farm or uses the Writer's Retreat. During the time I spent at this special place, Rebecca made me feel very comfortable. Rebecca's cheerful demeaner makes any visitor feel special and at ease. I highly encourage anyone who needs a space for quiet reflection or pursue literary endeavors to spend a day or two at the Writer's Retreat.

This six foot tall marker stands near a small traffic circle not far from the Minute Man National…read morePark on the road that leads to the Concord Battlefield Visitors Center. It is a relief statue of a Colonial in full colonial uniform with tricorner hat and boots standing with his musket. The marker reads, "Major John Buttrock from this his farm led the Provincial Minute Men and Militia down to win the bridge held by the British Forces. April 19, 1775. George Edward Messer by his will provided this memorial erected by the town." Online, there is more information. "John Buttrick was second in command of the Concord Militia when they encountered the British forces on April 19, 1775 during the battle at the North Bridge. John Buttrick was one of the first to arrive at Concord Green. He was then chosen by Col. Barrett to be his ground commander, which put him in the forefront of the battle at the North Bridge. At the North Bridge, several warning shots were fired by the British Regulars followed by a volley which killed Captain Isaac Davis and Militiaman Abner Hosmer. Whereupon, John Buttrick is credited with shouting the historic command "Fire fellow soldiers, for God's sake, fire!"" [Review 15241 overall, 743 of 2021, number 1101 in Massachusetts.]

I think it is always commendable of a city or town recognizing veterans who have paid the ultimate…read moresacrifice in defense of our country.

Designed by the Boston architectural firm of H. & J. E. Billings. Hammatt Billings' best-known work…read moreis the colossal "Monument to the Forefathers" in Plymouth. He had a hand in several Massachusetts Civil War monuments including the one in Braintree. The primary inscription reads, "Town of Concord Builds this Monument in Honor of the Brave Men Whose Names it Bears and Records with Grateful Pride that They Found Here a Birthplace, Home or Grave. 1866." An inscription on the east face reads, "They died for their country in the war of the rebellion." A bronze plaque displays the names of the 32 residents of Concord who died in the war. Concord's monument was dedicated on the anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington. The corner of the monument rests on a stone from the abutment of Concord's Old North Bridge where the American's engaged British troops and Emerson's famed "shot heard 'round the world" took place. [Review 15237 overall, 739 of 2021, number 1097 in Massachusetts.]

With the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War, we wanted to pay tribute to the…read moreglorious patriots who made sacrifices for this country! It is about 20 to 30 miles northwest of Boston, the drive is scenic especially when you start driving through all of the little towns leading to Lexington and Concord. The main attraction for our visit was to visit the north bridge memorial site where the first shots of the war began at 5am on Apr 19,1775 dubbed the "shot heard around the world" There is also a marker for the two British soldiers killed here. The site is spread out and will require some hiking if you would like to see the entire trail. I believe it was 5 to 7 miles on foot to see everything. The visit was amazing and awe inspiring! I highly recommend any history buff to visit.

Great park on the start of the American Revolution. Although it's only open seasonally, there is a…read moregreat exhibit at the visitor's center with a great video explanation of the start of the war. The presentation is very thorough and engaging. The gift shop has decent items. Grab a map, then on a nice day it's a great walk / stepping down the same road history took the English and Americans to face each other. Some of the sites are walkable and some are a little further, but there are parking areas along the way. The tavern wasn't open when I went, but there are tour options throughout the summer. We ended out outing at North Bridge, which is another great site. On a nice weather day, you could easily spend a few hours here. It's a unique site in our nation's history, and it's a lot of fun and good times outdoors.

Concord is a town full of history and therefore, full of memorials. This set of plaques honors…read morethose who gave their lives while in the United States military. There are three stones. The largest is the center one, which is "In memory of these Concord men who gave their lives in the Second World War" and lists entirely too many names in alphabetical order. Underneath, "As we reverently and respectfully acknowledge the deeds and the faith of these men of Concord, we must rededicate ourselves to the protection of our independence. -Omar N. Bradley:" Below, "1941-1945 World War II. A grateful community dedicates this memorial to those who served our country." The monument to the left is for those who fought and died during the "Korean Conflict" and "Iraq" with names below each. The monument to the right is for those who found and died during the war in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. The small park also has flags for each of the branches of the military, the United States and the POW-MIA flag. The brick walkway is quite smooth and it is a lovely tribute. [Review 15317 overall, 819 of 2021, number 1121 in Massachusetts.]