Interpreting Munroe Tavern as the "Museum of the British" in Lexington, MA

FAIN: BP-50141-09

Lexington Historical Society (Lexington, MA 02420-0005)
Susan Bennett (Project Director: February 2009 to February 2011)

Planning for a new interpretation of Munroe Tavern as the "Museum of the British" to broaden the understanding of Lexington, Massachusetts, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

Munroe Tavern, temporary field headquarters of the British Army during the retreat from Concord to Boston on April 19, 1775, is one of three historic sites with important connections to the Battle of Lexington that are interpreted by the Lexington Historical Society. The NEH funded a consultation in 2007 that permitted the staff historian to research the British Army in America during the 1770s and its orders in April 1775, and engaged humanities scholars in identifying themes for the re-interpretation of Munroe Tavern. The Society now seeks a planning grant to develop very specific plans for the re-furnishing of the Tavern and use of outdoor space, new tour outlines and docent training, a sound room evoking the events of April 19, and a web site.