Hancock-Clarke House

The Hancock-Clarke House is a colonial residence built in 1738 featuring a two-story timber frame with a central chimney in Early Georgian style. The building once housed the Hancock family and visitors can walk through the rooms today to see how it was arranged during that period.

The house gained national importance when Paul Revere arrived on April 19, 1775, to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams about approaching British forces. This event connected the residence to the early moments of the American Revolution.

The house displays furnishings from its era, family portraits, and exhibitions about enslaved people who lived in Lexington during the 1700s. These exhibits offer insight into how different people experienced daily life within this residence.

The house is accessible through guided tours offered regularly, providing a good overview of the rooms and their arrangements. It helps to check opening times in advance, as the residence is only open to visitors during certain seasons.

The property includes an authentic herb garden with plants that were common during colonial times. The garden demonstrates which healing and culinary herbs people relied on for everyday living and medicine.