Here at the corner of Pleasant and Massachusetts Avenue occurred a minor skirmish when Colonists attacked a British Commissary. Next we come to Jason Street on which stands The Jason Russell House It was near this point that the first battle on the fateful day of April 19, 1775 was fought. Over half of the Colonists killed that day met their death here in a fearful hand to hand struggle with the British. This house is open to the public April to October, admission free, from 2 p. m. to 5 p. m. We will continue on our way till we come to the Lexington Green. We park our car in front of Buckman Tavern In this historic tavern the Minute Men gathered and waited in the tap room for the British. We stand in front of the old bar and almost seem to hear the clank of the tankards. There are the old bullet moulds, the powder horns, the bullet holes left in the old door from stray shots of the British, the old bedrooms and furnishings which carry you back to those days when the Colonists fought for liberty. Admission to the tavern is free. Leaving the Tavern, cross the street to the Green and view the statue erected in honor of the Minute Men. Next walk over to that big boulder and read the immortal command: “Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have war Let it begin here.” Captain Parker We now go back to the car and drive past the Green to Hancock Street. Turn right and drive to the Hancock Clark House [Illustration: HARRINGTON HOUSE] Built in 1698 and enlarged in 1734. From 1698 to 1805 it was occupied successively by Reverend John Hancock and Reverend Jonas Clark. Adams and Hancock were staying here the morning of April 19, 1775, when Paul Revere rode into town warning them that the British were coming. You will find the contents of the house most interesting. A historian is present to answer questions. Admission is free. House open 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. Leaving the house turn the car around and drive back to Bedford Street. On the corner of Bedford Street and Elm Avenue stands the Jonathan Harrington House Jonathan Harrington was the first mortally wounded Minute Man. He made his way from the Green to the house, falling dead at his wife’s feet. [Illustration: WAYSIDE]