Buckman Tavern
1 Bedford St., Lexington, Massachusetts
Once a popular gathering place for locals and travelers, Buckman Tavern was where the Lexington Minutemen waited for the British troops in the early hours of April 19, 1775, just before the first battle of the Revolutionary War took place outside Lexington Commons. Today, the restored tavern is a National Historic Landmark and museum.
Buckman Tavern has been restored to its 1775 appearance. It includes actual artifacts, including the original door with a bullet hole from a British musket, period pieces on the first floor, and a modern museum space with rotating exhibitions on the second floor. Visitors can explore on a self-guided tour or the occasional guided tour. Buckman Tavern can also be combined with a three-house ticket that includes the Munroe Tavern and the Hancock-Clarke House. It’s also included in many Lexington sightseeing tours from Boston.
Buckman Tavern is a must-see for history buffs.
Audio tours are available in eight languages.
Buckman Tavern is wheelchair accessible.
There’s a gift shop on-site.
Buckman Tavern is located on Bedford Street on Lexington Common and within walking distance of many other popular attractions in the historic town. Lexington is located around 11 miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Boston. It’s reachable by public transit, including buses 62 and 76, or Interstate 95 and Route 20.
Buckman Tavern is open daily from 9:30am to 4pm from March to November and over the weekends from December to February. The museum hosts frequent special events, especially on weekends. Check their website for the latest schedule. Paul Revere’s ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord are reenacted every April.
Then the parsonage of Lexington, the Hancock-Clarke House is where John Hancock and Samuel Adams stayed when they were woken up by Paul Revere’s warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775. During their retreat to Boston, British troops commandeered Munroe Tavern. Today, it’s both a museum and an archive and research center.
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