Fitch Tavern is quite possibly Bedford’s most illustrious residence.
Twenty-five of Bedford’s 77-man militia gathered in its taproom before heading to Concord on April 19, 1775, after a collation of cold gruel and warm beer. Tradition has it that Captain Jonathan Willson said, “It’s a cold breakfast, boys, but we’ll give the British a hot dinner. We’ll have every dog of them before night.”
Capt. Willson was among the Colonists’ fatalities that morning; Willson Park is named in his honor.
Over time Minutemen have gathered in the taproom, but not recently: the 2020 pandemic lockdown and a new family arrived at the same time.
This year, Stephanie and Robert Keep invited dignitaries to gather before Pole Capping on April 9. Several members of the Bedford Minuteman Company returned for a very early morning breakfast on their way to lead the Concord parade on April 18.
The modern Minutemen marched off to Concord after a more nutritious breakfast.