The tavern was built in about 1709–1710 by Benjamin Muzzey (1657–1735), and with license granted in 1693 was the first public house in Lexington. Muzzey ran it for years, then his son John, and then at the time of the battle it was run by John's granddaughter and her husband John Buckman, a member of the Lexington Training Band. In those years the tavern was a favorite gathering place for militiamen on days when they trained on the Lexington Green. (Lexington, unlike other local communities, did not establish a minuteman company, instead maintaining a "training band" [an old English phrase for a militia company] for local defense).[4]
Battles of Lexington and Concordedit
The Battle of Lexington and Concord took form before dawn on April 19, 1775. Having received word that the regular army had left Boston in force to seize and destroy military supplies in Concord, several dozen militiamen gathered on the town common, and then eventually went to the tavern to await the arrival of the British troops. Definite word reached them just before sunrise, and Captain Parker's company of militia left the tavern to assemble in two ranks on the common. Following the arrival of the army, a single shot was fired; by whom, it is still unknown. With this shot, the American Revolutionary War began.[5][6]
Although best known as the headquarters of the militia, Buckman Tavern is also noteworthy as perhaps the busiest of Lexington's 18th-century taverns. It housed the first village store in Lexington, and later, in 1813, the first town post office.
Historic siteedit
The tavern's interior appears today very much as it did in 1775 and one can see the restored 18th-century taproom with large fireplace and central chimney. Among the many items on display is the old front door, with its bullet hole possibly made by a British musket ball during the battle, and a portrait of John Buckman.[7]
Buckman Tavern, Lexington, Massachusetts, ca. 1895-1905. Archive of Photographic Documentation of Early Massachusetts Architecture, Boston Public Library.
^ ab. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
^Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride, pp. 90, 192, 389–90, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1994. ISBN0-19-508847-6.
^Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride, p. 395, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1994. ISBN0-19-508847-6.
^Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride, pp. 184–201, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1994. ISBN0-19-508847-6.
^Galvin, Gen. John R. The Minute Men: The First Fight: Myths & Realities of the American Revolution, pp. 120–134, Pergamon-Brassey's, Washington, DC, 1989. ISBN0-08-036733-X.
^Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride, p. 402, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1994. ISBN0-19-508847-6.
^Polly M. Rettig and C. E. Shedd, Jr. (December 23, 1974) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Buckman Tavern, National Park Service and Accompanying four photos, from 1974
External linksedit
Media related to Buckman Tavern at Wikimedia Commons
Buckman Tavern – Lexington Historical Society
February 15, 2024
buckman, tavern, historic, american, revolutionary, site, associated, with, revolution, very, first, battle, 1775, battle, lexington, concord, located, battle, green, lexington, massachusetts, operated, museum, lexington, historical, society, national, registe. Buckman Tavern is a historic American Revolutionary War site associated with the revolution s very first battle the 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord It is located on the Battle Green in Lexington Massachusetts and operated as a museum by the Lexington Historical Society 3 Buckman TavernU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkBuckman Tavern Lexington MassachusettsShow map of MassachusettsShow map of the United StatesLocation1 Bedford Street Lexington MassachusettsCoordinates42 26 57 N 71 13 47 W 42 4493 N 71 2297 W 42 4493 71 2297Builtca 1709 1710 chronology citation needed ArchitectBenjamin MuzzeyArchitectural styleFederalNRHP reference No 66000137Significant datesAdded to NRHPOctober 15 1966 1 Designated NHLJanuary 20 1961 2 Buckman Tavern in 1929Contents 1 History 1 1 Battles of Lexington and Concord 2 Historic site 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe tavern was built in about 1709 1710 by Benjamin Muzzey 1657 1735 and with license granted in 1693 was the first public house in Lexington Muzzey ran it for years then his son John and then at the time of the battle it was run by John s granddaughter and her husband John Buckman a member of the Lexington Training Band In those years the tavern was a favorite gathering place for militiamen on days when they trained on the Lexington Green Lexington unlike other local communities did not establish a minuteman company instead maintaining a training band an old English phrase for a militia company for local defense 4 Battles of Lexington and Concord edit The Battle of Lexington and Concord took form before dawn on April 19 1775 Having received word that the regular army had left Boston in force to seize and destroy military supplies in Concord several dozen militiamen gathered on the town common and then eventually went to the tavern to await the arrival of the British troops Definite word reached them just before sunrise and Captain Parker s company of militia left the tavern to assemble in two ranks on the common Following the arrival of the army a single shot was fired by whom it is still unknown With this shot the American Revolutionary War began 5 6 Although best known as the headquarters of the militia Buckman Tavern is also noteworthy as perhaps the busiest of Lexington s 18th century taverns It housed the first village store in Lexington and later in 1813 the first town post office Historic site editThe tavern s interior appears today very much as it did in 1775 and one can see the restored 18th century taproom with large fireplace and central chimney Among the many items on display is the old front door with its bullet hole possibly made by a British musket ball during the battle and a portrait of John Buckman 7 nbsp Buckman Tavern Lexington Massachusetts ca 1895 1905 Archive of Photographic Documentation of Early Massachusetts Architecture Boston Public Library It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961 2 8 See also editMunroe Tavern Lexington Massachusetts List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County MassachusettsReferences edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b Buckman Tavern National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on June 6 2009 Retrieved July 28 2008 Fischer David Hackett Paul Revere s Ride pp 90 192 389 90 Oxford University Press New York NY 1994 ISBN 0 19 508847 6 Fischer David Hackett Paul Revere s Ride p 395 Oxford University Press New York NY 1994 ISBN 0 19 508847 6 Fischer David Hackett Paul Revere s Ride pp 184 201 Oxford University Press New York NY 1994 ISBN 0 19 508847 6 Galvin Gen John R The Minute Men The First Fight Myths amp Realities of the American Revolution pp 120 134 Pergamon Brassey s Washington DC 1989 ISBN 0 08 036733 X Fischer David Hackett Paul Revere s Ride p 402 Oxford University Press New York NY 1994 ISBN 0 19 508847 6 Polly M Rettig and C E Shedd Jr December 23 1974 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Buckman Tavern National Park Service and Accompanying four photos from 1974External links edit nbsp Media related to Buckman Tavern at Wikimedia Commons Buckman Tavern Lexington Historical Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Buckman Tavern amp oldid 1168951996, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
