1875: "Heroic Proportions"
Daniel Chester French, c. 1870s.
The 1875 Centennial was to be the largest town celebration that Concord had ever held. Following a gift by Concord resident Ebenezer Hubbard, the town commissioned a new monument which would be placed on the opposite side of the North Bridge from the 1836 Battle Monument. In 1872, the committee asked Daniel Chester French, a local sculptor with no major works to his name, to create a model.
A group of men pose with the Minute Man statue, 1875.
French researched clothing, weapons, and accessories to make his statue, using local men as models and procuring artifacts from residents. Ultimately, he created the Minute Man, a farmer at the ready with one hand on his plow and one holding his musket. It was described in the Springfield Republican as “no ideal face, no countenance or form that would be at home in other countries, but a thorough Yankee, that Mr. French has given to immortality.”
President Ulysses S. Grant, c. 1870s.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic battles, President Ulysses S. Grant visited both Concord and Lexington in 1875. He was accompanied by Vice President Henry Wilson, as well as several other cabinet members. He left Concord during the literary exercises in order to arrive in Lexington in time for his second engagement of the day.
Fitchburg Railroad ticket, 1875.
Boston Lowell & Nashua Railroad ticket, 1875.
Local transportation authorities provided increased service to Lexington and Concord during the Centennial weekend. It was predicted by some news outlets that trains would not be able to handle the expected crowds, which was partially correct: the first train of the day (out of Lowell) broke down, as did the train set to carry President Grant between Concord and Lexington, both due to exceeded capacity. Local railroads, including the Fitchburg and Boston & Lowell railroads, increased their frequency for the entire weekend. The Watertown Branch, a now-defunct railroad, also increased its service to Concord.
Transcription: "Viz: cold roast turkey and chicken; cold roast, stuffed veal; cold boiled ham, tongue, and corned beef; lobster and salmon salads; hot escalloped oysters; brown, white, and Graham bread, and white rolls; mince, apple, lemon, and Washington pies; a suitable variety of cake; mustard, salt, and pepper; butter and cheese; hot tea and hot coffee; ice-water; and milk and sugar upon the tables. Also, cranberry sauce and fruit jellies; and ice cream of different kinds, at the rate of one gallon for every forty persons for whom provision is to be made as is herein provided. Also, apples, oranges, a variety of nuts and raisins."
Dinner ticket, 1875.
Ball ticket, 1875.
Ball program, 1875.
Subcommittee ribbons, 1875.
Committee ribbon, 1875.
The large Centennial dinner tent, equipped for 400 people, was located near the North Bridge. A wide variety of food offerings—consistent with both what was popular at the time and what would be quick and easy to serve—were served. This included cold meats, cold salads, and bread for the main course. For dessert, there was cake and ice cream, as well as mince, apple, lemon, and Washington pies. Washington pie was a popular dessert at the time consisting of strawberry jam sandwiched between two layers of vanilla sponge—a possible predecessor of the Boston cream pie. Despite the substantial variety of dinner options, the caterers ran out of food. While no alcohol was served at the banquet, it flowed freely at the Middlesex Hotel who, by the end of the night, had exhausted its reserves as well.