The original Captain John Parker statue, commissioned in 1900, is considered one of the earliest examples of a statue honoring a 'common man' rather than a high-ranking officer.
The line of the Minute Men is marked by a boulder that is historically significant because the actual skirmish line was adjusted based on archaeological surveys in the 21st century.
The park is the location of the annual Patriots' Day reenactment, which occurs at dawn on the third Monday of April each year.
Seven colonial soldiers buried at the site are identified by a memorial stone, though their original burial positions were lost to history.
The Old Burying Ground contains the grave of Reverend John Hancock, the grandfather of the famous signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Lexington Battle Green is the site of the first skirmish of the American Revolutionary War, occurring on April 19, 1775. The 2-acre triangular park serves as a National Historic Landmark and is the resting place of seven colonial militiamen who died during the battle. It contains the Captain John Parker statue, a bronze monument dedicated in 1900, which depicts the commander of the local militia. The Old Burying Ground, located immediately adjacent to the green, holds graves dating back to 1690. The site is a registered landmark under the National Park Service as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park system. Interpretive signage throughout the grounds details the tactical movements of the British regulars and colonial forces. A stone boulder marks the 'line of the Minute Men' where Captain Parker's militia stood against the British advance. The area remains an open public space owned by the Town of Lexington.
The front of the Captain John Parker statue with the historical marker in the background.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Old Burying Ground to view 17th-century slate headstones.
Visit the Lexington Visitors Center across the street to access historical maps and digital exhibits before walking the green.
Stay on the paved walkways to protect the historically significant landscape of the green.
Do not attempt to walk across the active, high-traffic intersection surrounding the green; use designated crosswalks.
Maintain a respectful tone as the site contains historical gravesites; remain on pathways.
