Bedford Minuteman Company To Cap the Liberty Pole — Again
April 12 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Annually, on a Saturday in early April, the Bedford Minuteman and Minuteman companies from the area converge on Willson Park in Bedford, Mass. They do it to commemorate the spirit and courage of the patriots who sparked the American Revolution.
This ceremony features a march, displays of musketry and music of the period. The men and women of the many Minuteman companies in attendance perfrom the music. But the main event involves the raising of a tall wooden pole, climbed by a Bedford Minuteman and affixed with a red knitted cap.
The raising of the pole draws not only spectators, but also the soldiers of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot. They intend to stop the defiant rabble-rousing.
The Bedford Minutman Company Caps the Pole
The Liberty Pole Capping and Raising reenacts a colonial American practice. It signifies dissatisfaction with varied rulings and conduct of the English government. It commemorates the spirit of liberty exemplified by Bedfordians and other colonials in the early phases of the War for Independence.
The colonial units from the surrounding area park and unload in the parking area in front of the Bedford High School (9 Mudge Way). Then they form up on the Town Green, in front of the First Parish Unitarian Church (75 Great Rd.).
Unitarian Meeting House
The Town of Bedford dignitaries then assemble on the sidewalk in front of the Fitch Tavern (12 Great Rd.). The original Bedford Minutemen assembled at the Fitch Tavern on the morning of April 19, 1775. They pass the Fitch Tavern on their way to Willson Park (2 Concord Rd.). The dignitaries and the Bedford Minutemen then follow with the pole. After a few words, they erect and cap the pole. Hopefully it will not attact the attention of any British patrols. This takes about 45 minutes or less if the weather cooperates.
Massachusetts 250
Across Massachusetts, communities and institutions are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. They plan events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances and much more.
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Learn more Revolutionary history in this complete guide to Revolutionary War sites in New England. Brought to you by the New England Historical Society. Click here to order your copy in paperback, here to order an ebook.
Image of the Unitarian Church: By Daderot at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18003453.