The Buttrick Gardens welcome visitors to enjoy stunning flowers, preserved walkways, and new interpretive signage. Located at the Minute Man National Historical Park and overlooking the North Bridge, the Buttrick Gardens were first constructed in 1911 and cared for by several generations of the Buttrick family. Stewards of the land since the colonial period, the Buttrick family were proud of their gardens near the historic muster fields of April 19, 1775.

Over a half-million people visit the historic gardens each year, which feature ornamental trees and shrubs, award-winning iris and daylilies, colorful spring bulbs, and perennials that bloom from spring to fall. However, years of frost cycles, encroaching tree roots, and the occasional chipmunk burrow led to the deterioration of the pathways and stairways in the Buttrick gardens.

Plan by landscape architect Harold Hill Blossom, 1923 

| Courtesy of Minute Man NHP Archives

Thanks to a generous grant from the Town of Concord Community Preservation Act, the Friends of Minute Man National Park and Minute Man National Historical Park preserved the hardscape of the historic gardens in the summer and fall of 2021. Brick, bluestone, and cobblestone pathways were meticulously re-laid by a master mason, who reused most of the original materials. Where needed, new pieces of bluestone were added to ensure the safety of the walkways and stairways; each slab was carefully chosen to match the color, quality, and finish of the original stones. An elegant wrought-iron handrail was added to the sunken garden’s repaired stairway, ensuring a safe transition from the formal perennial garden down into the lower garden. Visitors may now stroll along the restored walkways, view the historic plant collection, and enjoy picturesque views of the Concord River and the North Bridge.

New educational signage at the Buttrick Gardens

| Courtesy of Friends of Minute Man National Park

The Friends of Minute Man National Park and park staff created new signage and a brochure funded by a generous grant from Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. The outdoor sign is accessible and orients visitors in the commemorative landscape. Historic photos and architectural plans allow visitors to step back in time and provide a history of the gardens. A new brochure, available at park visitor centers and in a weather-proof box attached to the outdoor sign, provides a way for visitors on the go to learn about the gardens.

The gardens are part of Minute Man National Historical Park and are open year-round from dawn until dusk. There is no admission fee, and free parking is available in the North Bridge Visitor Center parking lot. 

Your donation to the Buttrick Gardens provides seasonal maintenance, removal of invasive species, rejuvenation of historic plants, and reestablishing native pollinators. To learn more or donate, please visit  friendsofminuteman.org/buttrick-gardens.