Buckman Tavern
Why it's listed
Buckman Tavern, at 1 Bedford Street in Lexington, Massachusetts, began about 1690 as a public house built by Benjamin Muzzy, who was licensed to keep it in 1693. Later enlargements and remodeling gave it the four-square Georgian form it had by 1775, with a hipped roof, a five-bay front, and ells at the southeast and northeast corners. It takes its name from John Buckman, the 1775 proprietor and a member of the Lexington Minute Men. Local militia gathered there during the night before British troops arrived on April 19, 1775, and the tavern served as their headquarters during the brief skirmish with the regulars that opened the armed struggle for American independence. Musket-ball scars remain on its walls. The building also housed Lexington's first store and, in 1812, its first post office. The Town of Lexington bought it in 1913, and the Lexington Historical Society now runs it as a museum. A 1973 rehabilitation left it in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: It is the oldest of a dozen inns that once operated in Lexington and the building most closely associated with the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. It served as the militia's headquarters that morning, and its walls still carry marks from British musket balls.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000137, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Hancock St., on the E side of Lexington Green, Lexington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000137 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (specific dates c. 1690; 1775) |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Muzzy (built original section about 1690) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Town-owned and operated as a museum by the Lexington Historical Society; condition described as excellent after a 1973 rehabilitation. |
| Acreage | 2.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.44957, -71.22963 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000137.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4983405
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.