Michael Ruderman lives in Arlington and is an author and historian. He is a frequent presenter on topics of local history to community groups and historical societies. His love of history began in grade school, when he discovered many of his Duxbury classmates were descendants of Pilgrims.

The Battle of Menotomy

March 28, 2025

Michael Ruderman

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In 1775, Menotomy was a village of about 400 farmers, millers, tavern keepers, and their families. Located in today’s Town of Arlington, Menotomy stretched along Massachusetts Avenue from “the foot of the rocks” near Lexington to Alewife Brook. On April 19, 1775, the Battle of Menotomy would be the largest, longest, and bloodiest engagement of the day.

The Battle of Menotomy

June 15, 2023

Michael Ruderman

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Menotomy was a village of about 400 farmers, millers, tavern keepers, and their families in 1775. The Battle of Menotomy was one of the bloodiest of the American Revolution.

The Summer Issue is Here!

As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this issue explores the people, ideas, and stories that continue to shape its legacy. Inside, Professor Robert A. Gross offers fresh perspective in “A Referendum on Independence,” while a special foldout guide, “Following in Thoreau’s Footsteps,” invites you to explore the landscapes that inspired him. Discover an unexpected connection in “A Tale of Two Authors,” revisit the moving story of “A Hawthorne Homecoming,” and enjoy summer events, arts, and ways to experience Concord firsthand.

The Alcott Archives: A Door to Discovery and Joy

At the library’s public unveiling of the collections on March 28, 2026, renowned Alcott scholar Daniel Shealy observed that the new holdings encompass “numerous unpublished letters, hundreds of books, complete manuscripts, important presentation copies of books—most of them first editions—ephemera, photographs, first appearances of tales in periodicals, obscure and rare printings of books, and even unpublished journals.” According to Professor Shealy, the collections as a whole are “almost breathtaking in [their] scope and importance.”

A Commentary on Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution

Lucy Worsley, a historian and television presenter, is recognized for presenting complex historical topics in an accessible manner while maintaining their nuances. In the series Lucy Worsley Investigates, she undertakes the challenging task of explaining the ideological, political, and human dimensions of the American Revolution to a general audience. The series also addresses the significant chronological and military complexities of the conflict. This documentary is ambitious and frequently engaging, particularly in its examination of the intellectual and cultural origins of the Revolution.

Michael Ruderman

ARTICLES

The Battle of Menotomy

The Battle of Menotomy