Returning to Menotomy on April 19, 1775 demonstrates the impact of one of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War on both soldiers and common townsfolk. This virtual walking tour, accompanied by a historical analysis of sources, brings to light the importance of the small village at the dawn of the American Revolutionary War. The tour visits the many sites that comprised the Battle of Menotomy, demonstrating that Menotomy was indeed the third battle on April 19, 1775. While the historical record of Lexington and Concord has centered the experience of the colonial militias and British soldiers, the story of the Battle of Menotomy broadens the narrative by inviting the experiences of all those who engaged in and experienced the Battle of Menotomy, including several historically marginalized groups, such as enslaved and free Africans, multiracial individuals, and women.
The tour can be accessed in two distinct ways: chronologically or geographically.
The chronological tour begins along Alewife Brook, where the British troops first crossed when it was known as the Menotomy River. The tour then follows along the path taken by the troops in their advance towards Lexington, and then in their retreat back towards Boston, where the Battle of Menotomy unfolded. The tour seeks to engage users in a critical and historical analysis of each event, considering different perspectives, and reaching for accuracy through centuries of local lore. The tour can also be accessed for those engaged in a physical walking tour of Arlington using Google Maps, embedded below, and also available at https://tinyurl.com/Menotomy1775. The historical sites along the map link to pages within this website to allow for on demand historical information for those visiting and learning about Arlington.