The town of Carlisle is one of the few remaining rural communities in the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The town has gone to great lengths to preserve it’s historic farms, open space, and overall colonial character. The Carlisle community is proud of its role in leading the fight for American Independence on April 19th, 1775 and the Town is excited to welcome visitors to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of this incredibly important national milestone. We encourage you to explore and discover Colonial Carlisle!
---> Carlisle's Colonial Historic Site Map <---
The map above shows all homes and homesites scattered across Carlisle that are associated with soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Please note that most of these homes are privately owned and are not open to the public. While we encourage those interested in Revolutionary War history to drive around town and explore these properties, please respect the privacy of the owners and do not trespass. For a full list of Carlisle’s soldiers, check out our Patriot Profiles Page.
Sites open to the Public:
Below are a few sites associated with colonial Carlisle that are open to the public. We encourage you to plan a visit and check them out!
Carlisle Historic District (Open dawn to dusk)
The Carlisle Center Historic District was established in 1969 to protect the town’s historic village center. Most buildings in the district date from the early 18th century to mid 19th century. Buildings associated with Revolutionary soldiers include the Timothy Wilkins House, Issac Wilkins House, and the Wheat Tavern. Carlisle’s town common was the site where the Minutemen gathered on the morning of April 19th, 1775 before marching to Concord. A historical plaque listing the soldiers’ names is affixed to a bolder next to the First Parish Church. Carlisle’s Central Burying Ground, located next to the police station, is the final resting place of many Carlisle Revolutionary War soldiers. Their graves are marked with flags and bronze SAR plaques. While visiting the Historic District, we encourage you to stop by the Gleason Library to see the memorial plaque which has a full list of names of those Patriots buried in our town’s two cemeteries.
Samuel Heald Homestead Museum (Open the third Sunday of every month, 2pm-5pm)
The Samuel Heald Homestead Museum, located at 698 Concord Street, was the home of Carlisle Patriot, Captain Samuel Heald. Heald was one of the leaders of the Carlisle Minutemen who marched to the Alarm on April 19th 1775. He later served as an officer in the Continental Army and after the war served as Town Treasurer and Selectmen. The home was acquired by the Carlisle Historical Society in 2001 to save it from being demolished. It has since been restored and now serves as the Society’s museum. The Revolutionary War Room in the house features a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Revolution including firearms, clothing items, ephemera and other curiosities. The Society even possesses an original cannon captured at Fort Ticonderoga and brought to Boston by Henry Knox. The museum is open to the public, free of charge, the third Sunday of each month.
Great Brook State Park (Open dawn to dusk)
Great Brook is a 1,000 acre State Park located in the northern part of town. The property includes a collection of many historic colonial era farms which are still in active use. The old Adams Farm (ca. 1792) located at 247 North Road once belonged to Timothy Adams, a soldier who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Today, this farm is an active dairy which supplies the popular Cabot Creamery. The farm is open for tours. At 107 Old North Road, visitors can see the David Parker farmhouse constructed in 1775. Located at the eastern edge of the park are the historic cellar holes of the Ebenezer Hardy House and Asa Spalding House. Both Hardy and Spalding were Carlisle Minutemen who participated in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. We also encourage visitors to stop by the park ranger station for a tour of the North Schoolhouse, Carlisle’s oldest one room school built after the war in 1828.
Green Cemetery (Open dawn to dusk)
Green Cemetery, located on Bedford Road next to the Banta-Davis fields is the final resting place for several Revolutionary Soldiers who’s graves are each marked with a plaque. The burial ground is Carlisle’s only active cemetery. We encourage visitors to explore this unique burial ground which features several historic buildings including Wilson Memorial Chapel.
Greenough Land (Open dawn to dusk)
Near the Maple Street parking area, visitors can see the remains of the Nathaniel Parker cellar hole. Along the Wood Duck Trail on the banks of Pages Brook you will find the ruins of the old Andrews Family Grist Mill. At the end of this trail, you will reach an open field where Carlisle’s militia once mustered in Colonial times. You can also catch a glimpse of the Andrews farmhouse, a small yellow cape, where brothers Issachar and Edmund Andrews, both Revolutionary soldiers, once lived.
Clark Farm (Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am-6:30 pm)
Clark Farm, located at 185 Concord Street, is one of Carlisle’s oldest farms dating back to the 1740s. At the time of the Revolution, the northern portion of School Street did not exist and tradition suggests that the Minutemen marched from the center of town and across the farm fields on their way to Eastabrook Road on the morning of April 19th 1775. The farm is still in active use today and visitors can purchase fresh organic produce grown on the premises.
---> Carlisle's Colonial Historic Site Map <---
The map above shows all homes and homesites scattered across Carlisle that are associated with soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Please note that most of these homes are privately owned and are not open to the public. While we encourage those interested in Revolutionary War history to drive around town and explore these properties, please respect the privacy of the owners and do not trespass. For a full list of Carlisle’s soldiers, check out our Patriot Profiles Page.
Sites open to the Public:
Below are a few sites associated with colonial Carlisle that are open to the public. We encourage you to plan a visit and check them out!
Carlisle Historic District (Open dawn to dusk)
The Carlisle Center Historic District was established in 1969 to protect the town’s historic village center. Most buildings in the district date from the early 18th century to mid 19th century. Buildings associated with Revolutionary soldiers include the Timothy Wilkins House, Issac Wilkins House, and the Wheat Tavern. Carlisle’s town common was the site where the Minutemen gathered on the morning of April 19th, 1775 before marching to Concord. A historical plaque listing the soldiers’ names is affixed to a bolder next to the First Parish Church. Carlisle’s Central Burying Ground, located next to the police station, is the final resting place of many Carlisle Revolutionary War soldiers. Their graves are marked with flags and bronze SAR plaques. While visiting the Historic District, we encourage you to stop by the Gleason Library to see the memorial plaque which has a full list of names of those Patriots buried in our town’s two cemeteries.
Samuel Heald Homestead Museum (Open the third Sunday of every month, 2pm-5pm)
The Samuel Heald Homestead Museum, located at 698 Concord Street, was the home of Carlisle Patriot, Captain Samuel Heald. Heald was one of the leaders of the Carlisle Minutemen who marched to the Alarm on April 19th 1775. He later served as an officer in the Continental Army and after the war served as Town Treasurer and Selectmen. The home was acquired by the Carlisle Historical Society in 2001 to save it from being demolished. It has since been restored and now serves as the Society’s museum. The Revolutionary War Room in the house features a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Revolution including firearms, clothing items, ephemera and other curiosities. The Society even possesses an original cannon captured at Fort Ticonderoga and brought to Boston by Henry Knox. The museum is open to the public, free of charge, the third Sunday of each month.
Great Brook State Park (Open dawn to dusk)
Great Brook is a 1,000 acre State Park located in the northern part of town. The property includes a collection of many historic colonial era farms which are still in active use. The old Adams Farm (ca. 1792) located at 247 North Road once belonged to Timothy Adams, a soldier who fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Today, this farm is an active dairy which supplies the popular Cabot Creamery. The farm is open for tours. At 107 Old North Road, visitors can see the David Parker farmhouse constructed in 1775. Located at the eastern edge of the park are the historic cellar holes of the Ebenezer Hardy House and Asa Spalding House. Both Hardy and Spalding were Carlisle Minutemen who participated in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. We also encourage visitors to stop by the park ranger station for a tour of the North Schoolhouse, Carlisle’s oldest one room school built after the war in 1828.
Green Cemetery (Open dawn to dusk)
Green Cemetery, located on Bedford Road next to the Banta-Davis fields is the final resting place for several Revolutionary Soldiers who’s graves are each marked with a plaque. The burial ground is Carlisle’s only active cemetery. We encourage visitors to explore this unique burial ground which features several historic buildings including Wilson Memorial Chapel.
Greenough Land (Open dawn to dusk)
Near the Maple Street parking area, visitors can see the remains of the Nathaniel Parker cellar hole. Along the Wood Duck Trail on the banks of Pages Brook you will find the ruins of the old Andrews Family Grist Mill. At the end of this trail, you will reach an open field where Carlisle’s militia once mustered in Colonial times. You can also catch a glimpse of the Andrews farmhouse, a small yellow cape, where brothers Issachar and Edmund Andrews, both Revolutionary soldiers, once lived.
Clark Farm (Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am-6:30 pm)
Clark Farm, located at 185 Concord Street, is one of Carlisle’s oldest farms dating back to the 1740s. At the time of the Revolution, the northern portion of School Street did not exist and tradition suggests that the Minutemen marched from the center of town and across the farm fields on their way to Eastabrook Road on the morning of April 19th 1775. The farm is still in active use today and visitors can purchase fresh organic produce grown on the premises.
