Lexington Historical Society Readies New Exhibit
L E A R N A B O U T L E X I N G T O N
The Lexington Historical Society has come a long way since 1886, when two Lexington ministers, Rev. Edward G. Porter and Rev. Carleton A. Staples, who had both served as Chairman of the Trustees of Cary Library, suggested that a Society be formed in Lexington for:
Historical research and study, in matters connected with the history of the town and of families and individuals who have been identified with it…the object being to perpetuate a knowledge of our local history and to awaken and sustain new interest in the honor and good name of Lexington.
This suggestion led to celebrating Lexington’s history, preserving its heritage, and enhancing the life of our community throughout the years, according to Society historian Edwin B. Worthen, Jr. It also led to purchasing the Hancock-Clarke House in 1898 and Munroe Tavern in 1911, leasing Buckman Tavern from the Town starting in 1914, and acquiring the Depot in 1999. For a small town, we have many wonderful historical museums and stories about our forefathers.
At its initial meeting, the Lexington Historical Society began its collection of relics, which were later displayed in a special case at Cary Library, then located in the old Town Hall. Concurrently, a committee was established to purchase Henry Sandham’s 1885 painting of the Battle of Lexington, “The Dawn of Liberty” (pictured above).
During its first year, Society members presented papers relating to the history of Lexington. Eventually bound into four volumes, the Proceedings contain papers from 1886 to 1910. Passages from some of those papers have been quoted in this column over the years. The Society also issued its first guidebook to Lexington, sold in local stores and hotels.
The Society wasn’t just about research; there were social occasions. On November 5, 1889, it commemorated the 100th anniversary of President Washington’s visit to Lexington in 1789 by holding a banquet at Russell House, a local hotel. During this same period, it began its tourist programs, sponsoring all-day events that included tours of our historic landmarks and meals for out-of-town groups such as the Worcester Society of Antiquity and the Sons of the American Revolution.
In 1891, Town Meeting voted that the old Belfry be placed on the Common. When a storm blew it down in 1909, the Society voted to reconstruct a replica. When the town purchased Belfry Hill in 1913, the Society moved the Belfry to its present location and had the path of stone steps from Clarke Street built.
Since its 1886 founding, the Society has taken a prominent role in the April 19th celebrations. Town Meeting would appropriate funds for the celebration, and the Society would make the arrangements for the sunrise parade, various exercises, and an old-fashioned breakfast at Massachusetts House, another local hotel (interesting that we had so many hotels in those days). In 1892, the Society petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature to substitute April 19 as a holiday in place of Fast Day. In March 1894, Governor Greenhalge established Patriots’ Day, and Lexington celebrated with several band concerts, a sunrise parade, a reception, a banquet (tickets $2.00!), and a ball in the evening.
The Society worked hard to promote the history of the town. Among some of their accomplishments, they requested funds to mark the graves of the Revolutionary soldiers; advocated for renaming the historic route of the British march from Boston, to “Massachusetts Avenue;” and worked to preserve the old Belfry.
In 1887, the Society began discussing the need to preserve the Hancock-Clarke house. By 1896, it had to take action because its owner was planning to tear it down. Mr. Staples from the Society purchased the property for $150, procured land across Hancock Street where a new foundation was built, and had the house moved. The Society transferred its collection of relics to Hancock-Clarke, furnished the house, and guided visitors through its new home.
In the early years of the 20th century, The Hayes Memorial Foundation or the “Minuteman” statue was erected. The Society bought William Diamond’s drum, which summoned the farmers and villagers that fateful morning; transcribed Lexington’s parish and town records from the beginning until 1800; acquired Munroe Tavern in 1911; and published the two-volume History of Lexington by Charles Hudson.
The Society played a major role in preserving Buckman Tavern, the headquarters of the militia and the town’s first Public House. With assistance from the Society, the town acquired the tavern and 2.86 acres from the Merriam estate in 1913. According to Worthen, the town then leased it to the Society to be maintained at its own expense: “as long as the building shall stand and be devoted to historical purposes.” In 1916, to protect the Common, all the owners of the private property around it voluntarily restricted their property to its existing use for 99 years.
In 1920, the Society created the Buckman Tavern Community Association to promote a strong community spirit and to make the resources of the Tavern available for educational and social purposes. Its rooms hosted bake sales, committee meetings, and teas. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long because the Society was growing, and many tourists were visiting. In the 1920s, Hancock-Clarke house averaged over 40,000 visitors a year.
As the Bicentennial approached, the Society members wanted to move the Hancock- Clarke building back to its original site and to build a state-of-the art museum and provide suitable storage facilities for its valuable collection. On a beautiful November weekend before an excited crowd, the Hancock-Clarke house started its journey across the street. Several weeks later it was carefully laid on its new foundation.
Lexington has appeared in the movies. In 1923, D. W. Griffith filmed the episodes which took place at the Hancock-Clarke house before the British troops arrived for his film, America. In 1924, the Society worked closely with Yale University, which filmed scenes for The Eve of the Revolution.
During the Depression, the Society’s activities and finances declined. Nevertheless, by 1937, it was focusing on the restoration of Munroe Tavern, which had become its property in 1911 under the will of James Munroe. Although much of the Society’s activity ceased during World War II, its membership substantially increased by 1947. Its finances, however, failed to cover the maintenance of its houses so the Society began to charge admission.
As the Society anticipated celebrating its 75th anniversary, the US Department of the Interior designated Buckman Tavern and the town Common as Registered National Historic Landmarks.
In 1999, Lexington Historical Society purchased the Depot, a former train station, with the intention of turning it into an education and exhibition space. The transformed space, in the heart of town, will exhibit a wide range of previously unseen historical artifacts from its vast collection. Along with this fifth museum property comes a new ‘Doing Business As’ name, too: Lexington History Museums. This reflects the expanded campus and interpretation of not only the events of April 1775, but all of the town’s varied and diverse history.
SOURCES:
Piper, Fred S. Lexington Historical Society: a sketch of its origin, purposes, and achievements, 1886-1912.
Worthen, Edwin B. and Whipple. S. Lawrence. A brief history of the Lexington Historical Society in observance of its one hundredth anniversary: 1886-1986
The objects of this Society shall be the study of the history of Lexington and of individuals and families identified with it; the preservation of such relics as illustrate its history and the commemoration by fitting public services of the event which has rendered the town forever memorable in the annals of our county. (Article II of Lexington Historical Society’s Constitution)
