Overview of The Belfry
The Belfry, also known as the Old Belfry, was originally built in 1762 on Belfry Hill where the bell summoned people to worship, warned them of danger, and tolled on deaths. The structure was moved to the Lexington Battle Green in 1768. The Belfry was destroyed by a hurricane in 1909 and the following year, the Lexington Historical Society had an exact reproduction built on the original site on Belfry Hill. The structure is viewable all year round.
Significance of The Belfry
On the early morning of April 19, 1775, the Belfry rang its bell, summoning the local militia to assemble on the Common to be prepared for the arrival of British soldiers. After a scout arrived to tell John Captain John Parker that the British were coming, the bell rang a second time, which summoned the 77 Minutemen. The current structure is a replica of the original Belfry and rings every Patriots’ Day morning. The original bell is housed at the Hancock-Clarke House.
