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Boston Globe
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Scenes from Lexington, Concord's 250th celebration: ‘This has been on my bucket list'
Clare and Christopher Hurley of Woburn, re-enacting civilians at Battle Green, also had a home-grown interest in the drama. Christopher portrayed Asahel Porter, an unarmed Woburn man who had been taken prisoner of the British during their march to Lexington and was shot dead 250 years ago as he tried to flee, Clare said. Clare played Ruth Buckman, who owned nearby Buckman Tavern, which still stands adjacent to the Green. 'We had a very busy night last night, as the Minute Men were coming and going, trying to determine if the British were on the way,' Clare said, assuming Buckman's character in period costume, as she walked the Green before the reenactment began. — Brian MacQuarrie Advertisement 'Fighting tyranny then & now' CONCORD — Rena Hedeman was among those in the crowd here early Saturday. She brandished a sign. One side said: 'No king then, no king now.' The other: 'Fighting tyranny then & now.' Advertisement 'It's not against any particular party,' Hedeman said of the sign. 'It's against one person.' Hedeman, a 60-year-old nutrition and health coach, has lived in Concord for 19 years. She usually comes to the Old North Bridge festivities to celebrate the freedoms that minutemen fought for 250 years ago. Referencing President Trump without naming him, she said he is failing to uphold the Constitution. 'It's extraordinarily upsetting and worrying,' she said of the current political moment. A cannon blast pierced the dawn as she spoke, and a man walking by asked to take a picture of her sign and thanked her for showing up. — Danny McDonald Meet a reenactor couple Getting ready for the 250th anniversary of the bloody British retreat from Concord to Boston is serious business. He arrived at the battlefield early, around 2 a.m., clad in in 18th-century gear — from linen shirts and breeches to bright scarlet coats. His wife, Valerie, was also there, dressed in a traditional gown and petticoats. Their ensembles are meticulously crafted by hand, stitch-by-stitch. The Graves have amassed so much period clothing over the years that each has a room devoted entirely to the art of colonial dress. Dressing in late-1700s fashion is no quick task. Both Valerie and Michael spent upwards of 10 minutes layering multiple items of clothing — each serving a particular purpose. In the 1700s, an officer and his wife would have had assistants to help them. But today, it's all on them — Jenna Perlman Advertisement 'Do not fire until fired upon' Tens of thousands of spectators gathered in the predawn chill around Lexington Green, some 30 deep, as clusters of reenactors portraying the Lexington militia gathered in small groups, awaiting the arrival of British troops up Massachusetts Avenue. Bells tolled. Women and children dressed as family members of the militia. And the smell of gunpowder hung in the air as the Colonials discharged their muskets in preparation for a confrontation. 'Do not fire unless fired upon!' Stephen Cole, portraying militia Captain John Parker, barked at his men. Then, with drums beating out a marching pace, the British troops appeared to loud boos at the east end of the Green. They quickly assembled in formation as dawn slowly brightened the cloudy skies. 'Lay down your arms!' a British officer yelled three times at the militia. And then, as the militia began to disperse, a shot rang out of unknown origin, and a fusillade of British fire, followed by bayonets, left eight Colonials dead. Followed the fighting, after the 'dead' rose from the ground to loud applause, a reenactor portraying a Colonial minister addressed the survivors of Parker's militia. 'The lust of domination appears no longer in disguise,' the minister said. 'Will the world learn the lesson of this day,' he added, 'that tyranny will not be tolerated?' -- Brian MacQuarrie
Boston Globe
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Lexington, Concord mark 250th anniversary of start of Revolutionary War
In response, about 80 British reenactors discharged blank cartridges from their firearms, clouds of smoke and bursts of flame erupting on the green on a cloudy, cool morning. Eight of the Lexington militia dropped to the ground, depicting the fatally wounded in choreographed detail. Ten more were wounded. Advertisement On the British side, one casualty: a single, slightly wounded soldier. While the battle unfolded in front of them, an additional 260 British reenactors waited on Massachusetts Avenue in the line of march. Civilian reenactors watched the drama, including women and children representing families of the militia. Lois Voisine, 66, of Nashua, had been in place on Battle Green since 1 a.m. Saturday, eagerly anticipating the reenactment of a skirmish in which, she said, all eight of the Colonial dead were related to her. 'I'm moving to Myrtle Beach in the next few months, so it was now or never,' Voisine said of watching her first reenactment in Lexington. 'This has been on my bucket list.' Clare and Christopher Hurley of Woburn, who were portraying civilians at Battle Green, had a home-grown interest in the drama. Advertisement Christopher portrayed Asahel Porter, an unarmed Woburn man who had been taken prisoner by the British during their march to Lexington and was shot dead 250 years ago as he tried to flee, Clare said. Clare played Ruth Buckman, who owned nearby Buckman Tavern, which still stands adjacent to the Green. 'We had a very busy night last night, as the Minute Men were coming and going, trying to determine if the British were on the way,' Clare said, assuming Buckman's character in period costume, as she walked the Green in the predawn darkness. Related : The milestone reenactment launched 'This is about people who risked everything, and it reminds us of the American story,' said Rosie Rios, a former US Treasury secretary who is chair of America250, a nonprofit effort to engage communities across the country in commemorating the Revolution's anniversaries. Saturday's celebration in Lexington unfolded hours after a In Lexington, throngs of spectators gathered in the dark, ringing the battleground behind temporary fencing but close enough to watch the fight. A narrator told the crowd what was transpiring, and Stephen Cole, who portrayed militia Captain John Parker, once again urged his men to stand their ground while the Redcoats advanced. Following the reenactment in Lexington, more drama was scheduled for Concord, where bells at the First Parish church would ring this morning as a warning that the British were on the move. Advertisement On April 18, 1775, British General Thomas Gage dispatched 700 troops from Boston on an overnight mission to seize colonial military stores that he was told had been hidden there. Related : Two hundred and 50 years later, a reenactor portraying Dr. Samuel Prescott, who escaped from the British patrol that had arrested Revere, was scheduled to ride to North Bridge with the alarm. On Saturday, the Concord Minute Men plan to fire salutes there, and the Concord Independent Battery will unleash several volleys. Before dawn, hundreds gathered by the Old North Bridge to celebrate the anniversary of the 'shot heard round the world,' as the 19th-century American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson described the conflict there. A group of reenactors stood near a monument by the bridge in Revolutionary War garb, with tricorn hats atop their heads. 'Go get 'em boys,' said one passerby. Cannons were arrayed nearby, and people in union form ramrodded the cannon barrels shortly after 5:45 a.m. Revelers recorded the proceedings on their phones. More re-enactors milled about across the street. The crowd's size grew by the minute. Both towns will stage parades with staggered times, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Concord and 2 p.m. in Lexington. In addition, Minute Man National Historical Park, a 5-mile trail along the bloody British retreat from Concord, will feature talks, living-history sites, and demonstrations of the fighting there at various times and locations from 9 a.m. to dusk. Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at
CBS News
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Boston celebrates 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's famous ride
Cheering crowds lined the streets in Boston and Lexington Friday night to welcome Paul Revere and the dawn of a rebellion that would change the world. The 250th reenactment of the patriot's famous ride was a time to celebrate and reflect. "On the anniversary of Paul Revere's ride, you can feel the ghosts around you just walking amongst us and it's wild," said Katherine Waters-Clark of Arlington There was no wild applause, nor even an audience on this night 250 years ago. With a candle and some courage lighting the way, an emotional embrace between Paul and Rachel Revere began the historic trek. "I'm sure it was terrifying for her and for him and it shows how committed they were to the cause," said Waters-Clark. This thrilling reenactment took over Boston's North End neighborhood. Crowds filled the cobblestone streets to retrace Revere's footsteps along his heroic journey, walking, rowing, and riding to warn the Minute Men in Lexington of British troops on the way. Two lanterns were lit inside the Old North Church, signifying the British troops were coming by sea. "You can text people around the world and simply call them and do anything like that. It really kind of puts things in perspective what we have now and how different it was, not even that long ago," said Eddie Hulit of Seattle. The immersive experience brought history to life, replaying a pivotal moment in our country's story, and allowing these patriotic participants to really reflect on our hard-fought freedom. "Right now, we're at this kind of flashpoint if you will, where a citizen uprising is maybe warranted and needed. It's definitely reflective of 250 years later," said Anne Grauso of the South End. "Realize what this country is about and just the regular Joes who risked their lives to form it and follow that dream and here we are." From Boston, Revere headed to Lexington, where he delivered the message that the British were coming. The Battles of Lexington and Concord started the next morning.
Boston Globe
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Every year, they live and die as Revolutionary War reenactors. This year, it's special.
The soldiers on both sides are all Revolutionary War reenactors, and this recent, full-dress rehearsal for 'These were the first casualties to die for what we represent today,' said Henry Liu of the Lexington Minute Men, who will participate in his 35th reenactment earlier that day at Lexington Green, where the first battle of the Revolution occurred. 'It gives me goosebumps every year.' Advertisement For Minute Men and Redcoats alike, the extended outdoor drama is a chance to blend play-acting with a deep impulse to honor the men and women who sacrificed here, real people whom they have read about and studied. Related : 'The goal is to show people what this battle was about,' said Bob Allegretto of North Andover, who brings more than 40 years of experience to the fight, where he will portray a British major on horseback. Advertisement Valerie and Michael V. Graves portray a British Civillian Corps member and a Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Tenth Regiment of Foot at the Lexington Battle Green in Lexington. While the couple's day jobs are quite different, as Valerie is a receptionist, and Michael teaches at a university, they both enjoy being British reenactors of the American Revolutionary War. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe 'Take cover! Fire!' another British officer barked during the rehearsal, as a cluster of His Majesty's troops crouched behind a stone wall and peered into the thick forest for a fleeting glimpse of their pursuers. The reenactors run the gamut -- young and old, fit and overweight, male and female. They gather regularly from across New England to train, drill, and swap stories about a moment in history that many Americans know only through myth and stereotype. The hobby often becomes a family affair taken up by succeeding generations. The passion gets passed along, too. On April 19 in Minute Man National Historical Park, about 40,000 people are expected to watch what the National Park Service calls a 'tactical demonstration' unfold in fastidiously choreographed detail along Battle Road Trail, which stretches about five miles from Concord to Lexington. No blank cartridges were fired during the recent drill, as they will be for the crowds, but almost everything else was designed to replicate the real thing. That commitment comes with a price tag. Redcoats and Minute Men alike spend about about $2,500 to $3,000 each on period clothing, accessories, and muskets. And that doesn't count the cost of trips to venues outside Greater Boston for multi-day reenactments at Revolutionary battlefields such as Saratoga, N.Y., and Yorktown, Va. Members of the Tenth Regiment of Foot, a reenactment group portraying British troops at Lexington and Concord undergo drills in preparation for the April 19 commemoration in Lexington. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Related : 'It's an expensive hobby,' said Liu, a 59-year-old banker when he's not time-traveling. 'We used to be able to get away with linen and leather' for their outfits, but the Lexington Minute Men now require clothing to be as accurate as possible, which means wool for the coats, waistcoats, and breeches. Even the bayonets are real. Advertisement If nature calls during a break in the battle, the woods are conveniently available. And when reenactors are encamped 18th-century style, a porta-potty is often a walk away. 'We're not at the point where we're digging trenches for that,' said Becky Audette of Ayer, a co-captain of the Acton Minutemen. 'We're weekend warriors, and every one of us needs to go back to work on Monday without a broken back.' So why do they do it? Stephen Cole, captain of the Lexington Minute Men, offered a simple, direct explanation while addressing the group at a recent indoor run-through of this year's reenactment. 'The reason we're here is to honor the men and women we portray,' Cole said, a reminder that each of the Minute Men chose a specific person to represent. 'It's about keeping this alive for the 300th anniversary.' Along the way, there's plenty of fun to be had. Friendships stretch across decades, and laughter erupted when Lexington Minute Men who will die on the green were told to remain 'dead' while the reenactment unfolds. American Revolution reenactors Becky and Michael Audette stand on the Old North Bridge in Concord. The couple began reenacting in 2017 and have made their hobby a family affair. 'I think knowing your country's history is important. We never took our kids to Disney. We took them to a lot of odd places," said Becky. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe And then there was this: 'Please do not use any modern phrases. Watch the profanity!' Jim Roberts, who turns 70 on April 19, will portray Lexington tavern owner William Munroe and call the roll of the Minute Men before the British Regulars arrive on the Green and spill the first American blood of the Revolution. Roberts, a Lexington native who joined the reenactors 40 years ago, said the spirit of Patriots Day — 'its reverence' — was instilled in him as a child while watching the town's annual parade. Related : 'It's nice to fire muskets every once in a while,' but the camaraderie is special, Roberts said. And when they re-create a Revolutionary camp, he added, 'are there a couple of coolers inside a wooden box somewhere? Yes, there are.' Advertisement That fellowship also is felt on the 'enemy' side, where the chance for Americans to wear 18th-century British military garb, load and fire a Brown Bess musket, and chase after pesky Colonials brings its own unique satisfaction, even in reenacted defeat. 'I grew up watching 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and liked the 18th century, so I had to do this,' said Tyler Salfity of Quincy, a 21-year-old corporal in the British 10th Regiment of Foot, whose historical forebears made the arduous 40-mile round-trip from Boston to Concord on the original Patriots Day. 'Honestly, it's the most fun I've ever done,' said Salfity, a history major at Bridgewater State University. 'I echo commands, yell at the guys, and tell them to get back in the ranks. I also make sure everyone has gone to the bathroom before we get under way.' Their muskets were inspected by sergeants. They formed up in ranks. They drilled with their weapons. 'We keep track of attendance,' Graves said. 'If you're going to be promoted, we want you to show up.' Not only that, but each new recruit repeats the oath of allegiance to King George III that the original soldiers were required to take, Graves said. Advertisement After the inspection, the regiment decamped to the church parking lot, where it marched under the glare of a few streetlights and rehearsed the encounter on Lexington Green, where eight Colonial militia were killed and 10 wounded. On the other side, one British soldier was wounded. Then as now, the 10th Regiment can feel the heat. When the reenactors marched in this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston, they were booed lustily from beginning to end. 'It's part of the fun. We're the bad guys, so it's only natural,' said Salfity, the British corporal. 'And it's kind of accurate, you know? Boston was not a very friendly city to the British back then, so why now?' Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at
