Buckman Tavern (Lexington, MA)

Buckman Tavern in historic Lexington, Massachusetts has proudly stood on Lexington Green for over 300 years. While it is best known for its role during the action that took place in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775, the tavern has served as a staple for the local population and travelers for centuries. Today, the tavern operates as a museum that is a must-see when in Lexington!

History

The timeline of Buckman Tavern’s history presents a bit of ambiguity, primarily due to multiple dates listed for the same event (as presented in various official records and reports). It is known that the land on which Buckman Tavern was built was purchased by Benjamin Muzzy around 1693, which is the year Muzzy may have obtained a license to operate a public house. Most records indicate that the tavern’s original building was constructed circa 1709-1710 (but it could have been constructed as late as 1713). Benjamin Muzzy deeded six acres of land to his son, John, who was granted permission to operate the building on the property as a tavern and “public house of entertainment” in June 1714.

During the early to mid 1700s, the building was enlarged and the main structure was comprised of three-stories by 1755. In 1764, John Muzzy sold the tavern to his son-in-law, Samuel Stone. By 1768, John Buckman, husband of Ruth Stone (daughter of the late Samuel Stone), was the proprietor of the tavern (hence the current name). He would maintain the tavern throughout the American Revolution until 1784. Of course, the tavern is best known for its role on April 18-19, 1775, when it served as the rallying point for the Lexington militia on the eve of the famous fight on Lexington Battle Green.

On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere and William Dawes set out from Boston by order of patriot leader Dr. Joseph Warren. They were to warn the countryside, and John Hancock and Samuel Adams who were at the Clarke Parsonage in Lexington, that British troops were on the move. Upon hearing word from Revere and Dawes, 46-year-old John Parker, who served as commander of the Lexington militia, mustered his men on the town common to discuss what to do.

Parker decided to send riders out to determine the accuracy of the alarm- were British Regulars really on the march towards Lexington? The riders reported that they did not discover any British troops approaching from the east, which led to Captain Parker’s dismissal of the militia; however, he ordered them to remain nearby. Some men returned to their homes while many others retired to the nearby Buckman Tavern for drinks and rest.

In the tavern, some men had a drink, others took a nap, and most undoubtedly glanced at the tall clock in anticipation of what was to come. In fact, the original tall clock that was in Buckman Tavern on the night of April 18 is on display at the nearby Concord Museum. As the display at the museum mentions, the Lexington militiamen who gathered inside Buckman Tavern anxiously waited and heard the ticking of this very clock, not knowing what the coming daylight would bring.

One interesting story involving Buckman Tavern concerns a trunk of important documents that was stored there. In the early morning hours of April 19, Paul Revere was approached by a man named John Lowell, a clerk of John Hancock’s who was lodged at the tavern. He needed Revere’s help to remove a trunk of important documents related to the patriot cause left by Hancock and Adams in the upstairs of Buckman Tavern- these documents were treasonous and would devastate the patriot cause and incriminate it’s leaders if it fell into the hands of the British Army. Revere agreed to help remove the heavy trunk from Buckman Tavern and hide it in the nearby woods. Just as Revere and Lowell arrived at the tavern, one of Lexington’s couriers galloped down the Boston Road to announce that the regulars were, in fact, on the march and very close to Lexington!

Captain Parker immediately mustered his men, many who were still inside Buckman Tavern. The militia began to gather upon the common again as Revere and Lowell headed to the second floor of the tavern to retrieve the important trunk- it was from the upstairs window that Revere had his first glimpse of the redcoats as they approached town down the Boston Road. The two men then carried the hefty trunk down the stairs, out the tavern’s front door and through the ranks of Parker’s men towards the safety of the woods. It is said that they had just stepped off the common with the trunk as the British regulars came into view. The rest, as they say, is history.

After the American Revolution, the tavern was managed by Joseph Simonds from 1784 until 1794, when Rufus Meriam became proprietor and operated the tavern until its closure in 1815. The building remained in the Meriam family until about 1890. In 1913, the building was acquired by the town of Lexington and in 1914, was leased to the Lexington Historical Society to operate as a museum. Today, the tavern offers a fantastic gift shop, museum, and self-guided tour.

Interesting Facts

• During World War One, Buckman Tavern was used as the headquarters for the Special Aid Society (which later merged with the Red Cross). Just as it did in April 1775, the old tavern served as a “rallying point” for the people of Lexington during a time of crisis
• Damage from British musket balls, particularly on the tavern’s original front door, can still be seen to this day!
• Buckman Tavern is the oldest building in the town of Lexington

Our Visit & Recommendations

Buckman Tavern (1 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA, 02420) is one of the most historic colonial taverns still standing in the United States! Today, it operates as a museum and is managed by the Lexington Historical Society (details can be obtained from their website: https://www.lexingtonhistory. org/historic-sites.html). Of note, the tavern is open seasonally and is closed during the winter months. Free public parking is available along most of the roads in town, but be sure to check out any applicable signage before you park.

Tickets to tour Buckman Tavern can be purchased in the gift shop, which offers a great variety of reproduction colonial items, books, and unique gifts (you can also purchase tour tickets for Munroe Tavern and the Hancock-Clarke House here). The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions!

The tour actually begins in the gift shop, from where you will be directed to an adjacent display area that has numerous artifacts associated with Buckman Tavern and the events of April 19, 1775. Some items include a waistcoat worn by John Hancock (the sweat stains can still be seen on it), silver communion beakers that were in the Meeting House on Lexington Common, the cocked hat and musket of Hammond Reed (a member of Captain Parker’s Company who was present that morning), and the original drum used by 19-year-old William Diamond on the morning of April 19 (a decorative painting was added to the drum in 1875). Seeing actual items from the American Revolution, especially items connected to specific individuals, really brings history to life!

When you’re ready, you can begin the self-guided tavern tour (occasionally guided), which begins in the kitchen. Buckman Tavern’s kitchen has been furnished to look how it would have in 1775, to include fascinating items that would have been used in everyday life. This includes candle makers, pots, pans, and my favorite, a small metal “toaster” on the floor near the fire, which held slices of bread and was rotated by foot to ensure it was evenly toasted. While in the kitchen, be sure to look up at the original timbers that make up the ceiling and appreciate the remarkable craftsmanship that went into 18th-century construction.

The tour continues to a front room that is decorated to reflect a parlor, which would have been largely used by the women of the house (for tea, spinning wool, etc). Next is the dining room, which has a long table, tall clock, and a painting of John Buckman gracing the wall. This room was likely occupied by the many Lexington militiamen who anxiously waited at the tavern in the early morning hours of April 19.

After the dining room, the tour takes you through the front foyer of the tavern, past a staircase and the front door. On display to the right of the front door is a truly remarkable artifact: the original front door of the tavern from April 19, 1775, with apparent damage from a British musket ball! The door is behind plexiglass, but the damage can easily be seen (especially in person).

From there, the first floor tour concludes in the tap room, which is furnished to look as it would have on the night of April 18-19, 1775. One can imagine dozens of Lexington militiamen sprawled out about the tap room, having a drink, warming up by the fire, or simply trying to get some sleep. When the news that the British Regulars were indeed marching upon their town, there must have been a hurried rush to grab their muskets and head out the front door to muster on the town common.

Buckman Tavern also offers a fantastic modern museum space on the second floor, which has other unique artifacts on display (including a traveling desk owned by John Hancock). This space also has a few kid-friendly displays that they are sure to enjoy! The great thing about it being a self-guided tour is that you can spend as much time as you want exploring each space.

I am thankful that so many patriotic citizens in Lexington’s past made the effort to save and restore Buckman Tavern. Furthermore, I am thankful to the many who continue to work today in preserving, restoring, and interpreting the history of the historic building. Buckman Tavern witnessed the opening scenes of the American Revolution and must be maintained for future generations to visit and appreciate!

Sources: https://www.lexingtonma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3351/f/uploads/buckman_tavern_text.pdf; https://www.lexingtonhistory.org/historic-sites.html