Two hundred and fifty years ago, Wrentham (which then included parts of Franklin, Norfolk, and Plainville), was a quiet farming town, but one where local patriots were well aware of the tensions building with Great Britain, and most were determined to protect what they saw as their most basic rights.

On the morning of April 19, 1775, news began to filter in about the British Army’s march to Lexington and Concord and then the news that fighting had broken out. It was news that was feared but locals were ready and, according to historians, two groups of local Wrentham-area soldiers were soon on the march to support their fellow Minutemen and militia members.

To commemorate that important local historical event, groups and individuals are pooling resources.

On April 19, 2025, at about 10 a.m., the Gavel Restaurant in Wrentham, 36 South Street, will play the role of the Colonial-era Man Tavern. There will be a brief pageant, commemorating the arrival of the news and the mustering of the first Minutemen from the area.

Weather permitting, the event will continue outside, on the town common until approximately 11:30 a.m. Seating in the Gavel is very limited. For updated information closer to the date, visit https://alanrearls.wixsite.com/mysite-1.