Preserving Concord’s Artillery Tradition Since 1774
The Concord Independent Battery
On April 18, 1775, British Regulars marched to Concord with orders that “If you meet with any Brass Artillery, you will order their muzzles beat in as to render them useless.” When they arrived in Concord on the 19th, the British were defeated at the Old North Bridge by the Minutemen from Concord and surrounding towns in the first battle in the war for American independence.
Who We Are
Volunteers Since 1804
Dedicated volunteers honoring our past
Ceremonial Artillery
Two, 600 lb. brass cannon cast in 1836
Training & Safety
Drill sessions to maintain protocol and equipment
A Living Piece of American History
The Concord Independent Battery is entrusted to maintain the ceremonial artillery and carry on the legacy of Concord’s role in the American Revolution. Our members have done so with great pride since 1804.
On February 24, 1804, the Massachusetts Senate resolved to “raise by voluntary enlistment a company of Artillery,” and to provide it “with two brass field pieces,” on which were to be inscribed the following words: “The Legislature of Massachusetts consecrate the names of Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis, whose valor and example excited their fellow-citizens to a successful resistance of a superior number of British troops at Concord Bridge, the 19th of April, 1775, which was the beginning of a contest in arms that ended in American independence.”
The new company was known as the Concord Artillery. The cannons of the Concord Artillery became so worn by firing that in 1846, they were rendered unsafe and were exchanged for new brass cannons that were engraved with the original inscription by a member of the Artillery.
Cannon in Action
The cannons of the Concord Independent Battery have only ever been used for ceremonial purposes. Their inscription honors the legacy of the Concord Patriots.
The Concord Independent Battery Association was formed in 1947 to sponsor the Battery and to provide it with financial and popular support. Subsequently, the Battery Association raised money from its members and from friends of the Battery and the Town of Concord to finance the construction of a new Gun House. On February 29, 1960, upon a petition of the Battery, the Concord Town Meeting voted to accept the funds raised by the Battery, and to permit the erection of a new Gun House on land near Concord Center known as Heywood Meadow. The new Gun House was dedicated in a ceremony on April 19, 1961.
The Battery voted on February 10, 1999, to incorporate as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws, henceforth to be known as The Concord Independent Battery, Inc.
Upcoming Events & Ceremonies
Join us to witness history in action and experience our ceremonial firings and community events throughout the year.
March 29, 2026, Sunday, Honored Citizen Ceremony, Town Hall
April 11, 2026, Saturday, Test Fire, Old Manse 10:00 AM
April 11, 2026, Saturday, Meriam’s Corner 1:00 PM
Join the Battery
Membership in the Concord Independent Battery is open to men and women interested in upholding the organization's mission and commitment to attendance at drill and events throughout the year. Members participate in a number of different roles. Previous experience or knowledge of cannons is not required, only an interest in learning! We are also always looking for members who are interested in or experienced with riding horses. If you are interested, please reach out by contacting us at admin@concordbattery.org or come to an event and say hello
Gallery
“Weekends with Yankee” Episode 901: Great New England Adventures
Amy travels to Lexington and Concord for Massachusetts’s premier Revolutionary War reenactment, and Richard is in Rockland for Maine’s Great Schooner Race.