As preparations begin for the celebration of April 19^th, 1775 attention naturally turns to Acton Center and questions arise about which structures were actually present on that day. To establish an accurate understanding of what was and what was not an initial tour was held on October 12^th. Acton 250 Committee members joined experienced tour guides and individuals with a special interest in public history.

     Amy Cole, a native of Acton who grew up in the only pre-1775 house still standing in the center, led the group. Acton Center is a local historic district and also listed on the National Register of Historic Places—a combination that affords both protections and opportunities to historic structures.

     Many may be surprised that little of what they see in the streetscape today existed in 1775. The monument, recently adopted within the Acton Memorial Library’s new logo, was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century as April 19^th celebrations grew in importance. The triangular commons actually is a small cemetery as the remains of those Actonians who died on April 19^th are interred there.

     Two hundred and fifty years ago a small combined meeting house and church was situated on the top of Meeting House Hill now noted with a white sign. The current Town Hall is actually the third meeting house constructed in Acton. More explanation on the characteristic New England relationship between church and meeting place will follow.

     Acton 250 hopes to strengthen relationships between groups interested in the town’s history. The tour, intended as the first of many open to interested individuals, helped to develop an accurate understanding of the setting for April 19^th locally. Look for tour sign ups in the spring of 2024.