CONCORD — In honor of all those who have served and sacrificed to protect our nation’s founding ideas, the Concord Museum opened a new $1.2 million April 19, 1775 Permanent Exhibition and offered free and exclusive admission to active military, veterans, and their families on Veterans Day.
The dramatic galleries contain the most comprehensive collection of artifacts involved in that iconic day and recount the fateful moment of “the shot ’round the world” when the American Revolution began.
“As our new exhibits herald the courage of those embattled farmers who stood their ground against what was then the greatest army in the world so, too, we honor all those who have defended our liberty and founding ideals throughout the past 245 years,” said Tom Putnam, the Museum’s Edward W. Kane executive director.
“I’m honored to share in this celebration of a new exhibition that tells this foundational story in dynamic, engaging and inclusive ways,” said Gen. Joseph Dunford, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as part of the museum’s opening celebration. “I hope all those who visit the museum are reminded of our responsibilities as citizens to protect our proud legacy of democracy and pass it along to the next generation.”
Local veterans Bill Rose (Navy), Warren Griffin, (Marine Corps), Philip Peck (Army) and Concord Veterans Agent Dick Krug, received a private tour of the April 19, 1775 Galleries, which is now open to the public. Paula Pratt Renkas, state regent of the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution, also helped marked the opening in recognition of the critical role women played on that fateful day.
“This new exhibit at the Concord Museum pays tribute to a very important event in our nation’s history, and it’s with pride that we acknowledge its past as our own right here in Concord,” said Cheryl Lussier Poppe, Veterans Services secretary. “Thank you to the Concord Museum for your continued dedication to keeping our history alive.”
To ensure the safety and pleasure of all museum guests, face masks and social distancing are required. Concord Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 24, the museum will be open seven days a week.
The April 19, 1775 gallery has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.