Historic Sites
Lexington’s history is rich and compelling. Come explore with us!
Built in 1710, Buckman Tavern was a gathering place for both locals and travelers, and the site of many important town meetings.
Built in 1737, the Hancock-Clarke House was the site at which John Hancock and Samuel Adams were awakened by Paul Revere’s warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775.
Built in 1735, Munroe Tavern was commandeered by the British Redcoat troops on their retreat back to Boston on the afternoon of April 19, 1775.
The Depot houses Lexington Historical Society offices, hosts programs, is available for rent, and is slated for transformation into a new exhibition space in 2024.
Looking to the Future
As we turn the page to 2022 we still face so much uncertainty, but my firm belief is that we need to keep looking forward, planning ahead, and finding things that make us happy. For me that joy has always derived from history, art, and museums; in fact, if you ever need to find me outside of my work hours at the Society, you’ll most likely find me at a museum nearby. And I know that our museums and historic sites can be that place for people, now more than ever.
For over 125 years, Lexington Historical Society has been a witness, steward, and interpreter of history. How can you not feel immersed in history while crossing the threshold at Buckman Tavern? Or meandering through the gardens at Munroe Tavern? Or arriving at the Hancock-Clarke House knowing that Paul Revere did the same on a moonlit night long ago?
Now I ask, how will we uncover and look anew at the stories of those who came before us? How will we tell the stories of our time? How will we speak to future generations? And how will we serve as a community resource for Lexington and beyond? It’s exciting to think about learning and growing together.
One of my main goals as I began my tenure here was to map out our calendar of programs and events for the upcoming year. I want to honor the mission of the Society, while also expanding our vision and audience. History can mean 1775, but it can also be now, and I want our museums to reflect the diverse and dynamic history of Lexington.
That means our programming in 2022 will run the gamut from lectures on Alexander Hamilton to historic tavern nights, to a month-long celebration about the history of chocolate. We’ll also partner with organizations in town such as the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL), CAAL, CALex, LexPride and LexSeeHer to discuss and represent contemporary issues and history. We’ll offer exhibitions that bring together history and contemporary art, we’ll create opportunities for local artists to showcase their work within our historic sites, and we’ll activate our gardens through programming and partnership with the Lexington Field and Garden Club.
As we consider the next phase of the life of the Society there is no better way to focus that energy than to transform the Depot into a space that will be accessible to all, and allow visitors from Lexington and beyond to begin their historical journey with us right in the center of town. I am so excited to share that we have just received a significant portion of funding needed for this large-scale project. State Representative Michelle Ciccolo generously led the charge and secured $150,000 toward the transformation of the Depot into an educational and exhibition space which will become the first touchpoint for guests to the Society. The space will be a combination of permanent and changing exhibitions showcasing all aspects of our collections, and be a space where school tours can become immersed in history, where local residents can come together for dynamic programming, and where national and international tourists can witness all that Lexington has to offer.
The reason I decided to work in the museum field, and specially begin my career in the museum education sector, was to share my excitement of art and history with people. I personally wanted to know everything about the art and artifacts I was looking at, and then by extension I wanted everyone else to be just as excited as I was about them. This led me down the path of becoming the Director of museums - to lead and guide organizations to showcase all the amazing items in their collections, and most importantly, to make those collections accessible and thrilling to the public.
Our historic houses are the foundation, literally and figuratively, of our collection. They are truly witnesses to close to 250 years of history in Lexington. We honor them, the people that came before us, and the stories they tell; we also embrace the history we are living through day to day. All of these moments are worthwhile, and what we have planned in 2022 will bring the houses, collections, and narratives of Lexington to life. I hope to have you come along on the ride with us and become part of history as well!