2007 Ideas for LPS 8th Grade Educational Program

Below are a collection of early ideas for the LMM 8th grade program for this coming September.

Summary of the initial meeting with 8th Grade lead Steve Cullen on May 20, 2007

Bev, Mary, Don,

Today, Steve, Marty and I met with David J (social studies curriculum head) and Steve C (8th grade social studies teacher) at the Lincoln School. It was a good meeting. Here are the key points in a nutshell.

There will be about 75 kids in next year’s 8th grade class. They spend the first 4-6 weeks of the school year on the Revolutionary War. They’d like us to do a program for them in mid September or thereabouts. They’re willing to give us a half day! They no longer begin the year with the French and Indian War but rather begin with factors leading directly to the Rev War (Boston Massacre, tea tax, etc). They do a mock trial of the Boston Massacre. The 5th grade perhaps does more detail on the Rev War so this is a “review” albeit at a higher level of thinking.

Key points made by Steve C:

Get the kids engaged. Don’t just talk to them, get them involved in the program. Possibly ask them to do specific research ahead of time.

Go on-site somewhere historical. Perhaps to MMNHP although he doesn’t want to be redundant of 5th grade trip. Perhaps walk to Dakin Field marker. They used to travel into Boston (Bunker Hill monument, Paul Revere house, cannolis in the North End –the highlight! –but they no longer do that.)

Incorporate primary source material. This is something he’s very interested in. He knows about the vault at the Lincoln Library but could perhaps use some direction. Interested in diaries, letters.

Students do a follow-up writing. This may or may not be something we’re involved in but it shows the level of interest he has in our program. He was impressed with the sound of what we did for the 3rd grade, plus our cooperative effort with the Park for the 5th grade.

We left it that we would come up with a possible list of themes and scenarios for him to consider. A few possibilities we threw at him: Mike R coming in first person as Billy Smith and talking about the role of women to spark a debate among the kids, led by LMM. Don and Paul O’S throwing out differing points of view in 1775 Boston/ Lincoln. Mike R holding a Town Meeting with the kids having done research on particular topic(s) ahead of time.

We need to get this organized before the end of the school year since it’s right at the start of the next school year. So we have time but we need to start brainstorming ideas. Begin!

Ruth

Electronic Debrief: LMM Day in the Park 5/20/07

We’d like to gather feedback, comments and suggestions on our May 20, 2007 day in the park. Yes, we would all suggest better weather!

Please add your two cents (shillings?) to this post so that we can continue to improve our educational presentations.

Thanks so much to Bev Malone for spearheading this project. It would not have happened without her!

New Sandwich Boards for the LMM

A big Huzzay (or huzzah depending on your tastes) for Steve Humphrey and Tara Watson for constructing LMM sandwich boards! These beautiful new boards are designed to be reusable with slide out dates and replacement event cards. This approach will give us a consistent look for LMM in town promotions and allow us to easily promote all our events by way of the ever-popular Lincoln sandwich board. Up until now, we have not used sandwich boards for any promotion beyond the Lincoln Salute because of the cost and effort required to create customized large-scale signs. Only the Lincoln Salute has been advertised using this method thanks to the efforts of Ruth Hodges. Thanks Ruth for being a trailblazer!

The British grave “found” by Mike Ryan

If you have ever joined the LMM at the Colonial Inn after the Alarm and Muster, you know of the special ceremony held later in the evening to honor a British soldier buried nearby. Did you know that Mike Ryan “found” that soldier and is the prime reason the grave is marked today? Read the story first seen in the Concord magazine.

By D. Michael Ryan, the Concord Minute Men’s historian, an 18th Century volunteer history interpreter with the National Park Service and Associate Dean of Students at Boston College.

Editor’s Note: Concord’s Selectmen have recently approved the placing of a marker and plaque dedicated to the third soldier on Monument Street. Neither a location or date of dedication have been selected, though both are expected soon. The author and Concord resident Richard Stevenson have been pivotal in the creation of this monument.

“These men were brave enough, and true
To the hired soldier’s bull-dog creed;
What brought them here they never knew
They fought as suits the English breed.”
“Lines” by James Russell Lowell

As a result of the 19 April 1775 North Bridge fight, it is generally documented and accepted that three British Regulars died and were buried in Concord. Colonials accomplished the latter task for two soldiers where they fell near the Bridge. The site is marked with a tablet engraved “Grave of British Soldiers”. But what of the third Regular - his demise and burial in prelude of the Ministerial force’s withdrawal?
Lemuel Shattuck in his 1835 “History of Concord” noted “…. [there is a] third soldier buried and a house built over the spot” and “one of the wounded died and was buried where Mr. Keyes’ house stands”. The author had great fortune in having available to him Concord citizens who witnessed the 1775 events in Town and he was “seldom willing to state a fact positively unless verified”.

Throughout the years, historians and authors have made passing mention of the third soldier’s fate, all agreeing he was buried in the middle of town after being carried there either by his comrades or the Colonialists. These include Arthur B. Tourtellot (”William Diamond’s Drum” 1959), Harold Murdock (”The Nineteenth of April 1775″ 1925), and Rev. Ezra Ripley (”History of the Fight at Concord” 1827). So, too, did well known Concord historians Allen French (”Day of Concord and Lexington” 1925) and Ruth Wheeler (”Concord: Climate for Freedom” 1967).

James Barrett by Mike Ryan

Soldier. Statesman. Husband. Father. Farmer. Gentleman. Man of God. Concordian. “His name should be honorably handed down to posterity.” These words bear testimony to the man who orchestrated the events surrounding “the shot heard ’round the world” and who is known to his countrymen as James Barrett.
Born of the village blacksmith Benjamin and Lydia Minott in 1710, James Barrett traced family to participants in the King Philip’s Wars. In marrying Rebecca Hubbard, he would become related to Concord founder Rev. Peter Bulkeley and raise a family of five sons and four daughters.

2007 LMM Event Review - Your Comments?

The following comments were aggregated at the May 2, 2007 muster that included a group review of the major events of the LMM 2007 event season. The events covered included the Paul Revere Capture Ceremony, the Lincoln Salute, the Alarm and Muster and the Graveside Ceremony. There were 14 LMM present in Bemis Hall.

The feedback was gathered for each event in a plus and minus format. If you have additional thoughts, comments or suggestions, please add a comment to this posting including your feedback and the event to which it pertains.

Paul Revere Capture


Plus:
The weather was good!
Formation of multiple groups was effective.
Marching from the parking lot to the event is always a favorite.
It was great to have Duncan read the order (wish we could have heard him!)
Nice touch to salute the other units as they march back through our ranks to reach the parking lot.

Minus:
The event needs to be overhauled or we should stop doing it.
It needs an event - some action or focus, not just speeches and music - Paul Revere, Brits, horses, something.
Sound system was not great.
Review speech for historical accuracy - e.g Josiah Nelson wrapped as Lincoln folklore?
Need to set up refreshments early so other companies can see it and not leave early.
Colonial serve? Set up just inside the entrance so everyone can see it marching out?
Stick to basics on manual of arms or don’t do. Looked a little sloppy?

Alarm and Muster

Plus:
Great food at most places!
Colonials need more support as to what to say to the spectators.
Don’s presentation was really good and the style worked.
P.R for the event was great! Thanks David.
The weather forced a shortening of the ceremony which was well received by those that participated.
General feeling that the separation of the reenacting from the modern was very positive (weather caused the Selectmen honoring the new LMM to be done after the ceremony at the Pierce house).
Liked the idea of a party after the event at the Pierce House, we should encourage the public to follow us.
After the event Colonial Inn celebration and short ceremony to honor the British soldier outside are always a favorite.

Minus:
Weather was horrible! But it was nothing if not memorable!
Should we have cancelled and rescheduled so as to better serve the town?
We need to establish a process or a person to decide on cancellation.
Can’t always hear the church bell, timing a continual problem.
Don’t order spring rammers in the rain!

Idea:
Should we have some sort of “LMM for the day” to draw in the children who attend the event? Perhaps a small award that children could wear.

Lincoln Salute

Plus:
We held it! Lots of thanks from the groups involved.
Despite the weather, a great feeling in the gym.
Great attitude by all to make it happen so quickly.
Great thanks to Ruth H for implementing the backup plan so quickly.
Children presenting the ribbons was an excellent touch.
Music was LOUD in there, but great.

Minus:
The weather!
Leaking roof.
Forgot to update the town signs when venue changed (nit).

Concord Parade

Plus:
We marched anyway despite the weather. Memorable time for those that marched in foul weather gear.

Minus:
Miscommunication with other Minute Companies for ceremony on the bridge. We arrived late and didn’t participate.

Graveside Ceremony

Plus:
Great turnout by the British.
Excellent speech by Mary H!
Simple event with focus on the one speech. Kudos to Bob H.
Wireless mic was effective for Mary’s speech

Minus:
Should remove last years flags before the ceremony.
Need to block out locations for various units and make room for all.
Sound system garbled presentations on the British side.
No color guard marched with the company. Need to plan to have someone carry the flags.

Ideas:
Have colonials mix with the crowd next year.
Buy wireless sound system like the one we borrowed from Concord Celebration’s Committee.

Original Roster of LMM on April 19, 1775

LMM 4/19/1775 Roster

This is a reproduction of a page from John Maclean’s Book “The Rich Harvest”

Mary H’s Beautiful Speech at the 2007 Graveside Ceremony

Lincoln Minute Men Graveside Ceremony 4/20/07
Written and Delivered by Mary H.

We have come here today to honor the American and British patriots who gave their lives in the American Revolution, each believing in the justice of his cause. For those of us who live in this community today, it is easy to think of the inhabitants of Lincoln that fateful spring morning as Americans. But it is worth while to remember that, at least until the first shots were fired, most of Lincoln’s residents also thought of themselves as British. They spoke the English language. For as long as any of them could remember, they and their ancestors had observed English customs. They had served an English king, and were entitled to all the ancient rights of Englishmen. For the inhabitants of Lincoln in 1775, the long and painful struggle which followed would ultimately make the separation clearer. But it is not surprising that, after the political wounds eventually healed, Britain and the United States would become and remain two of the strongest and most faithful of allies in modern history. We share not only a common language and history - we share a common way of life, and a common vision of freedom.

New Uniform Committee Formed and Charged

A uniform committee was recently formed by Ruth H. at the direction of the LMM executive committee. The committee is charged with researching and proposing a uniform policy for the LMM that may well affect a change in our standard uniform. The charge to the committee is as follows:

The Executive Committee of the LMM has determined that the current company uniform is:

a) not completely authentic to the period,

b) not appropriate for our increasing levels of Park and educational programs and requires participating members to purchase multiple uniform pieces. Our belief is the cost and acquisition of additional colonial clothing often deters participation.

Given the above, the Executive Committee has requested a committee be formed, under Chairperson Ruth Hodges, to propose a uniform and a uniform policy that:

a) results in the selection of a uniform that is period appropriate, yet still conveys the visual image of a coordinated unit

b) allows for a smooth transition from the current uniform to the new uniform in a way that respects the financial commitment required of new and existing members.

Additionally, the Executive Committee requests the proposal be presented by the end of June 2007 and reviewed and approved by both the EC and then the full company membership. The goal of the EC is to have a new uniform policy in place by October 1, 2007 and be operational for the Spring 2008 event calendar.

Please comment with your thoughts, opinions and concerns on this important issue!

Lincoln Revolutionary War Soldiers Buried At Meeting House Cemetery (behind Bemis Hall)

LINCOLN REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS BURIED AT MEETING HOUSE CEMETERY

Biography Source: A Rich Harvest by John MacLean

(1)Eleazer Brooks: Served as a Quartermaster, Captain, Major, Colonel, and Brigadier General during the Revolutionary War.
Town Offices held: Deacon, Surveyor of Highways, Town Treasurer, Selectman, Constitutional Convention Delegate, Senator, member of Lincoln’s Committee of Correspondence. He also helped establish a Lincoln Town Library and was a political writer. In response to the Tea Party he wrote: “We apprehend that we in America have Rights and Privileges and property of our own, as well as the rest of mankind, and that we have the Rights of self preservation as well as all other Beings….after weighing the Arguments on both sides, we apprehend our rights and privileges have been infringed in many alarming instances.” He worked as a Yeoman (farmer). Eleazer was one of Lincoln’s most important Town leaders.

(2)Joshua Brooks Jr: A Lincoln Minute Man, was 20 yrs old when he fought at the North Bridge on April 19th 1775. He became a Quartermaster and a Sergeant. Joshua arrived at the North Bridge on April 19th and was “struck with a ball that cut through his hat and drew blood.”
Town positions held: Deacon. He was elected to represent Lincoln in reply to Boston’s Committee of Correspondence, supporting opposition to British policies.
He worked as a Tanner, Cordwainer, and Currier. He sold the cow hair from hide preparation to mix with lime (from the limekiln up the road) to make plaster for the Meetinghouse walls.