Whittemore House is one of the properties to be rehabilitated with funds from the GAOA, Minute Man National Historical Park / NPS File
Minute Man National Historical Park received approximately $27.4 million in project funds from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to address deferred maintenance and repair needs for the park’s buildings, structures, landscape, trails, signage, and monuments in order to improve the visitor experience. The first project phase focuses on rehabilitating several historic buildings, including the Jacob Whittemore House, the Elisha Jones House, Carty Barn, and the Captain William Smith House. The next phase will rehabilitate a walking trail near Battle Road Trail and Groton Road.
In March 2023, preservation and rehabilitation work, including interior repairs and upgrades to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, began on 16 historic structures. The work is being performed by local, small business contractor Classic Site Solutions, Inc. from Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Until this phase is completed in 2024, park visitors can expect minor inconveniences associated with construction activities at some of the park’s parking lots and trail areas adjacent to the buildings. Updates are available at http://www.nps.gov/mima.
The next phase will focus on rehabilitating the park’s landscape, including sections of the Battle Road Trail. The scenic and historic trail is a centerpiece of the park, connecting historic sites from Concord to Lexington. When the project is completed, it will seamlessly connect visitors to more than six miles of newly accessible pedestrian trails and boardwalks. The contract for this work was awarded to local, woman-owned business Edward Paige Corporation from Norwell, Massachusetts.
“These repairs ensure that Minute Man National Historical Park will have the ability to continue sharing important historical stories about the causes and consequences of the American Revolution,” said Simone Monteleone, park superintendent. “The park will be ready to welcome visitors for the 250th Anniversary of the opening of the American Revolution in April 2025.”
Additional work will take place throughout the park continuing into 2025. Improvement projects include historic structure and landscape improvements, including the preservation of stone walls and improvement of views and vistas. Another project will highlight the agricultural history of Massachusetts in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries by planting and maintaining vegetation and installing accompanying signage.
In 2022, more than 960,000 park visitors recreated along the Battle Road Trail or learned about the causes and consequences of the American Revolution.
