Historical Houses

Three pre-Revolutionary buildings administered by the Lexington Historical Society are open to the public seasonally. Fee charged. For details on dates and times, visit the Society's website.

Buckman Tavern (circa 1704-1710)

The oldest tavern in Lexington. Here, about 77 Minutemen gathered in the early hours of April 19, 1775, while awaiting the British regulars. The tavern was licensed to serve drovers in 1713, and served as a place for churchgoers during the Sunday nooning. The interior today is much the same as it was when the tavern was the headquarters of the Minutemen. Among the many items on display is the Tavern’s old front door with a bullet hole from the 1775 Battle of Lexington. To the left of the tavern is the Memorial to the Lexington Minutemen of 1775, erected in 1949, and containing the names of the Minutemen who died on the Green in the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The inscription reads "these men gave everything dear in life Yea and Life itself in support of the common cause."More >>

Where it is: The Buckman Tavern is located across from the Lexington Battle Green at 1 Bedford Street. Phone: 781-862-5598. map >>

Hancock-Clarke House (circa 1698)

Home of the Hancocks and the Clarkes, this house was the destination of Paul Revere on the night of April 18, 1775, as he and William Dawes rode from Boston to warn the sleeping Samuel Adams and John Hancock (first signer of the Declaration of independence) of the coming of British troops. The house contains period furnishings and portraits, William Diamond’s drum, and the British Major Pitcairn’s pistols. A barn behind the Hancock-Clarke House serves as the Society’s Fire Equipment Museum. More >>

Where it is: The Hancock-Clarke House is located at 36 Hancock Street. Phone: 781-862-1703. map >>

Munroe Tavern (circa 1690)

More than 300 years old, this former tavern served as a temporary headquarters and field hospital for British Brigadier General Earl Percy and his 1,000 reinforcements on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Fourteen years later, President Washington dined at the tavern when he visited the Lexington battlefield in 1789. The tavern contains artifacts from his visit and many articles used by the Munroe family when they ran the tavern from 1770 to 1827. More >>

Where it is: The Munroe Tavern is located at 1332 Massachusetts Avenue. Phone: 781-862-1703. map >>