In the early morning of April 19, 1861, Daniel Lawrence rode into the town of Concord on horseback, rousing the town militia with orders to report to Boston in response to President Lincoln’s call for militia volunteers. The method and timing of this call were no accident.

Stand in the middle of Concord’s North Bridge with the Minute Man statue on your right and the British soldiers’ grave on your left. Place your hands on the rough wooden handrail in front of you; slightly to the left, you will see The Old Manse through the trees. Peer down into the Concord River that Ralph Waldo called “the dark stream which seaward creeps” and brace yourself: this tale is about to get rough. 

Concord’s history is filled with revolutionaries—not just the famous names we learn in school, but everyday people whose courage and vision helped define Concord as it is today. Now, there’s a brand-new way to learn about these trailblazers: the Revolutionary Concordians Trading Card Game, developed by Thoreau Farm with funding from Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. This interactive, town-wide experience invites people to connect with Concord’s history like never before, all while exploring the businesses, cultural institutions, and landmarks that make the town special today.