On April 18 and 19, Lynnfield observes the beginning of the American Revolution. On those dates — exactly 250 years from Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord — our own town’s outsized role in those events will be marked with performances, commemorations, music, and children’s events.
Schedule
Friday, April 18
At 7 pm at the Centre Congregational Church Chapel, a play titled “Shadows of 1775” follows the story of the local townspeople, through their own words, as they tell their stories of how Lynnfield (called Lynn End at the time) received word of the battle, how they responded, and how they lost three of their members on that fateful day.
The play is free and open to the public, and will be followed by refreshments in the church.
Saturday, April 19
On the exact 250th anniversary of the start of the war, the occasion will be marked locally with several events. At 11:00 am in the library will be children’s activities, including three-cornered hat making, other crafts, and the reading of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.”
Meanwhile, a “Patriot Gallery,’ will be displayed on the Common, relating stories of all 38 members of Lynnfield’s militia who marched to war that day.
At approximately 12:45 pm, our own midnight rider, Martin Herrick, will bring the alarm directly from Paul Revere. Captain Bancroft’s Lynn End Militia will respond by marching off. Upon its return (a few minutes later), the militia will perform the “Mourn Arms.” A wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the new War Memorial on South Common Street, featuring descendants of our militia members. Lynnfield Historical Society president Ron Sarro will sing 18th-century songs, and the program will end with a patriotic band concert back on the Common featuring the Reading Community Concert Band.
All events are free, and the public is urged to attend to honor the role that this community played in the earth-shaking events of April 1775.
