Concord Walking Tours

01/27/2025

Traditionally, winters in New England have cold weather and snow. However, over the past two years, we experienced milder winters. This year, however, is more reminiscent of a classic New England Winter, with cold air, biting winds, and snow. While most sidewalks have been cleared, walking to and from historic sites remains challenging. (See photos)

With more snow and turbulent weather predicted for February, I won’t be able to conduct tours. Instead, more research will be done to refresh existing tours and develop new ones.

One of the greatest challenges we face is recovering the lives of ordinary Americans - women, children, people of color, and those who were enslaved or indentured, among others. Primary sources are invaluable in helping me uncover these narratives.

For the next few weeks, I will share some of the stories I have uncovered to help highlight the narratives that have long-awaited rediscovery and retelling.

11/20/2024

11/20/2024

I give back to my community by volunteering to do historical research for the History & Education Subcommittee. See the below link to watch the talk I recently gave.

11/10/2024

Reminder - there is still work happening up at the North Bridge.

Visit the Minute Man National Historical Park website to keep up to date on park closures.

11/03/2024

In two weeks, I will give a talk at the Concord Free Public Library!

Crowdsourcing the American Revolution

November 16, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Goodwin Forum, Main Library

Concord and surrounding communities are very good about celebrating April 19th; however, there was more to the American Revolution than that critical date. The war lasted for eight years.

Join historian Beth van Duzer as she speaks about her research, including finding individuals who fought for Concord during the eight years of the war, who died in service, and where they are buried. Most importantly, learn how the Concord250 History & Education Subcommittee would like your assistance to make this database more complete. Beth van Duzer is an independent historian in Concord, MA. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Montclair State University and a master's degree in History, focused on Public History, from Southern New Hampshire University. Beth is the co-chair and clerk of the Concord250 History & Education Subcommittee and is the owner of Concord Walking Tours, a history research and tour company.

08/21/2024

In case anyone was wondering what was happening at Merriam’s Corner along Battle Road - Minuteman National Historical Park is moving the historic marker back a few feet to a previous location. It has been hit by trucks and cars. By returning the stone to a previous location further in from the road it is hoped fewer vehicles will injure the marker.

08/05/2024

A fading rainbow near Dee funeral home greeted my tour group as we rounded a corner this evening. The group was debating what was at the end of the rainbow - a pot of gold or skittles…

Look for public tours to resume at the end of August.

05/27/2024

Memorial Day honors those who served & sacrificed for our country.

For as long as anyone can remember, before 2023, only one name was listed on the Town of Concord Roll of Honor for the Revolutionary War. Thanks to research conducted by the Concord250 History & Education Subcommittee, 13 names were added to the Roll in 2023. Further research by the Subcommittee revealed four more names.

For 2024, there are 19 names to be read and remembered. They are:

Richard Anthony
Benjamin Ball
Simeon Burridge
William Burridge
William Buttrick
John Corneall
Barnabas Davis
Reverend William Emerson
Thomas Fay
Amos Goodale
Danforth Heywood
Tilly Holden
Reuben Parks
Dr. Samuel Prescott
Solomon Rice
Ebenezer Smith
William Wheeler
William Wilson
Samuel Wyman