Poster by Darlene Wigton

The Woburn Militia and the Charlestown Militia will present the 5th annual “Pathway of the Patriots” on Saturday April 30, 2011. This living history event takes place at the Tarky Field, Russell Street, Woburn, Massachusetts (see Directions and Map). It is open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm, with free admission and on site parking. Food and beverages will be available from on site vendors.

Pathway of the Patriots was created in 2007 as a local event to help raise public awareness of the Battle Road Conservation Area and to commemorate the members of the Woburn Militia, their families, and other residents who participated in and whose lives were affected by the historical events of April 19, 1775 and the Revolutionary War.

It has grown from an afternoon guided walking tour of Old Battle Road, interspersed with short dramatic scenes by costumed actors and reenactors at stations along the way, to a day-long event at the adjacent Tarky Field with Colonial and British encampments, military and civilian living history displays and demonstrations, a Battle Road Retreat reenactment, music, and dancing.

In the “village” between the military encampments you will find suttlers with various items for sale of interest for the 18thc reenactor and visitor. Crafters include a leatherworker, spinner, and portrait artist who demonstrate their skills.

While visiting the camps, you may meet persons from the 18th century who will tell you their stories, such as a serjeant from the Militia who is worried about the family and farm he left behind; a British officer who distains the foolishness of the locals who are defying the Crown; wives of the Woburn men who answered the call to arms; and regimental women who have come with their husbands across the ocean to support the army.

You might also meet the ribbon-seller or the local Tory, and wandering entertainers who will amuse you with music, songs, and dancing.

At scheduled times, interpretive scenes take place: you can attend the Raising of the Liberty Pole; watch the British troops drill; hear the Wives of the Patriots trying to understand how the future will be affected; witness the punishment of suspected rebels; and join in and try your hand (and feet) at English Country Dancing.

Also scheduled throughout the day are narrated walking tours along the Battle Road.

Children particularly will be amused with the farm animals; they can “join the army” and learn to drill with practice muskets with the Militia; and play some of the games that entertained children in 1775.

In the afternoon, you will hear the sound of shots being fired in the distance. You may experience a little of the excitement and fear that many colonists did on that day of April 19th, 1775, as the battle draws closer and spills out on the field, the British troops trying to make their way back to Boston under constant harassment from the militias.

Old Lexington Road, or Battle Road, as it is also called, was the road that the Woburn Militia traveled on April 19th, 1775, when they marched from Woburn Center to Lexington and from which they heard the first shots being fired on Lexington Green.

A portion of this road still exists today in near pristine condition in the Battle Road Conservation Area. When walking this stone wall lined pathway, houses, vehicles, power lines, and other modern intrusions are soon left behind. Time seems suspended as wild turkeys, deer, and other creatures scurry across the road ahead or watch from a distance.

Although no fighting historically occurred on Woburn’s Battle Road, this stretch of road, undeveloped since the 18th century, offers a unique setting to reenact a portion of the Crown Forces march from Concord back to Boston under constant fire from the Woburn Militia and other Colonial militia and minute companies from the surrounding towns.

Because of the natural, uneven terrain, there are two parts of the Battle Road Retreat reenactment.

The first part, in the conservation area, is not visible to spectators, but gives the reenactors the opportunity to experience the “feel” of what it might have been like to engage in the retreat to Boston in 1775.

In the second part the action spills out onto Tarky Field, where spectators can safely watch as the battle progresses.

If you are going North on Route 93:
Get off the Montvale Avenue exit and go Left off the Ramp under 93. Follow Montvale Avenue to Woburn Center and go 3/4 the way around the Rotary. Make sure the Mobile Station and the Woburn Library are on your Right.
This is Pleasant Street. Follow this to the Fork and take the Left Fork which is Lexington Street. Take this to 4 Corners and go straight onto Russell Street.
Look for the KFC at the bottom of Russell Street. Go to the top of the hill and look on the Right for Tarky Field. You will see some boulders blocking the small parking area.

From 128:
Get off the Route 3 South Exit to Winchester - This is Cambridge Road. Follow this to the KFC at the intersection called the 4 Corners. Go Right onto Russell Street and at the Top of the Hill is the Tarky Site. The site itself is named after the Tarky School which previously stood on the site.

GPS users enter 273 Russell St Woburn Ma 01801 as destination address

Event Co-Chairmen:
• Joe Brown 781-727-7452 joe@joebrownphotos.com
• Tom Coots 617-285-6651 Tom.Coots@Yahoo.com

As with any outdoor event, weather can be a factor. Every effort will be made to stage this event on the given date and time. Be advised that if the weather is particularly inclement call the Woburn Militia at (781) 933-4976, on the morning of the event for performance status.

PARTICIPANTS INFORMATION

Civilian reenactors, performing artists, suttlers, and crafters who would like to participate in Pathway of the Patriots, please contact the following: