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Lexington
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Hancock-Clarke House
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Hancock-Clarke House

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Hancock-Clarke House
4.5
209 reviews
#2 of 15 things to do in Lexington
Historic Sites • History Museums
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About
The home of Lexington's first two ministers and the location where John Hancock and Sam Adams were staying on April 18, 1775. Paul Revere stopped here on his famous "Midnight Ride" to warn Hancock and Adams that British troops had left Boston.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
209 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
44
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Lee L
Valhalla, NY1,798 contributions
Great Tour
Oct 2022
Came out to Lexington on a beautiful fall day. Had done Minuteman Park and Lexington Green. I then visited the 3 historic houses in the area. This is the house in the Hancock family that Paul Revere and William Dawes were trying to reach because Sam Adams and John Hancock were staying here.

It is a guided tour and it was just me and the tour guide Nancy who gave a great tour explaining the history of the house and how it was saved when it was marked for construction. If you can only visit 1 of the 3 historic buildings in Lexington I would make this the one to go to.
Written November 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DLP
New Jersey1,823 contributions
Bringing History to Life
Aug 2021 • Family
This is a must visit place in Lexington. First you will view a video that is very informative and then you will go on a guided with a docent in period clothing. The docent had amazing knowledge to share. The house is original and has many original furnishings. You can feel yourself transporting back in time and immersing in the history of this place. What you learn here, they do not teach in the classroom and you are not going to find in a textbook. Do yourself a favor and visit
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AndreS000000
Los Angeles, CA812 contributions
The best of the 3 Lexington sites! Great tour and video
When you visit the Hancock-Clarke House, the Buckman Tavern, or the Munroe Tavern, you'll realize they're all part of the Lexington Historical Society's offerings, and you have the choice to buy a ticket (2009 prices are $6 per site, or $10 for all three). They all are a bit different on hours and the duration of the tour, so we did the HC House first as recommended by the staff. They were right!

It starts with a 10-15 minute movie they've produced with local actors, showing the events that made the house historical; namely the "Regulars" marching into Lexington, and the infamous Paul Revere ride to warn the colonists. Then you're taken through the house with a knowledgeable guide (dressed in period clothing of course!), explaining the interesting history. The entire visit was about one hour.
Written October 28, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pasldws
Boston, MA137 contributions
Masks required inside and out
Jul 2022 • Family
Masks required (inside and outside). Currently 101 degrees and they required us to wear a mask because the Lexington Historical Society is requiring it. Seeing it was so hot outside, in the sun, it seemed unreasonable for this request, but the employees were so rude with their request, that we ended up leaving. So much for the fight for freedom from unreasonable rules.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steffanie C
Wasatch Range, UT39 contributions
Excellent LIVING museum
Jul 2018
So many old homes in the area have been gutted and turned into museums with displays of artifacts. This home is a notable and excellent exception. It has been restored with family items, set out as they might have been used. Touring the home is like seeing a neighbors home, like people are living in it. Our tour guide Marla was fantastic at engaging all my kids (6, 8, 11, and 15). Skip the Buckman Tavern, but leave time (about 45 min) for this! (Parking is by Lexington Green - a 5-10min walk from this site.)
Written July 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lexington Historical Soceity
Thank you for your recent visit to and review of Lexington Historical Society's Hancock-Clarke House. We are pleased to hear that you so thoroughly enjoyed your tour of the house with Marla and appreciated seeing our artifacts. Our curator has done an excellent job selecting artifacts to display in a manner that allows you to envision what life was like during the Colonial period. Your comments regarding Marla's excellent job will be passed along to her.
Written July 27, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bcnett
Stoneham, MA469 contributions
INTERESTING HOUSE
Oct 2019
This house along with Buckman Tavern and Munroe Tavern are owned by the Lexington Historical Society. Each cost $10,00 or you can visit all three for $20.00. The Hancock-Clarke House is the only one with a guided tour. We took the first tour which was at 10 o'clock. First there was a short video and then the guided tour -- an hour to do both. Rick did a great job telling us about the hour and the people who lived and visited there.

The first inhabitant was Reverend John Hancock who lived there for 54 years. He was the grandfather of the John Hancock who signed the Declaration of Independence. Young John Hancock moved into this house at age seven after his father had died. The next minister, Reverend Jonas Clark, lived in the house for 50 years. (Only two ministers in 104 years!) Jonas Clark married John Hancock's cousin. John Hancock and Sam Adams were staying at John's cousin's and her husband Reverend Clark's house the night of April 18, 1775, when Paul Revere and William Dawes both arrived separately to warn them that "The British Were Coming".

This house is located about 1/4 mile from the Green. There is parking behind the house. We enjoyed all three museums, but it your time is limited, I would suggest that you do this one. There is a rest room there.
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carmenda
Denver, CO478 contributions
You will be in awe!
Jun 2018 • Solo
I am so thankful that this priceless piece of American history has been so well preserved by the caring people of Lexington. The site is located within a residential area, a few minutes walk from the Visitor Center, off the Main Street downtown Lexington. It's a small downtown area, but I would still wear comfortable clothing and shoes. There are metered parking spots nearby, or you can park at the town's parking lot for a small all day fee; this option was easier than driving around looking for a street metered spot. There's an entrance fee, and discounted categories, to include military. You can take pictures of the outside, and astonishingly, the inside as well; but no flashlight cameras. I was speechless to hear the story behind the Hancock-Clarke House; so wonderfully explained in a great 15 minute award winning movie, offered with your ticket and ahead of the guided tour. My Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and engaging with the visitors, about the history of the American Revolution, and the part this home played in the events that led up to it. I will do it little justice to explain the unbelievable artifacts, original to the house, that decorate it and bring its amazing story to life. The tour guide seemed well informed of every piece of furnishing in the home, picture and small artifact. This is a MUST see site, when you visit Lexington; you will come away with far greater appreciation, respect and understanding of the history of the American Revolution.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lexington Historical Soceity
Thank you for your recent review and visit to Lexington Historical Society's Hancock-Clarke House. We are extremely pleased to hear that you so thoroughly enjoyed your tour of the home and found our staff so informative and engaging. Our staff are very passionate about the history of the home and enjoy sharing their knowledge with visitors. We hope you to see you again in the future.
Written June 22, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kerrianne P
New York City, NY23 contributions
Interesting Historical House
Oct 2017 • Couples
The house is about a three block walk from the Lexington Visitors Center and the Lexington Green. First you see a movie about the events of the engagement at Lexington and Concord that sets the stage for the house tour. The guide was knowledgeable, friendly and her love of the house and history was apparent. The story of the house and the different occupants was very interesting. Just a note for those who have difficulty walking stairs, a movie of the upstairs tour is available so you miss nothing. Very glad we visited this house.
Written October 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lexington Historical Soceity
Thank you for your recent visit to and review of Lexington Historical Society's Hancock-Clarke House. We are thrilled to hear that you so thoroughly enjoyed your tour and found our staff not only knowledgeable, but friendly as well. We feel our friendly staff are one of our best features of the tour and your kind words regarding their temperament will be passed along to them. Thank you again for your visit and we hope to see you in the future.
Written October 25, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
haveboozewilltravel
California658 contributions
Where John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying as the Red Coats aproached
Oct 2017 • Couples
This was the house of John Hancock’s cousin Reverend Clarke and the place that John Hancock lived as a young boy. Both John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying there (and sleeping in the same bed!) when Paul Revere barged in through the front door to warn them about the approaching British soldiers. Afterwards and during the fighting on Lexington Green, Revere helped remove Hancock’s chest of incriminating documents that he left at Buckman’s Tavern (that can be included with a three site combo ticket including the Hancock-Clarke home and Munroe Tavern). This home is located a few hundred yards on Hancock Street past Lexington Green.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
denver60
Denver, CO1,616 contributions
Historic landmark
Apr 2017 • Couples
We had a wonderful tour of the Hancock-Clarke House which played a prominent role in the Battle of Lexington and Concord as both Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying in the house before the battle and were awakened by Paul Revere and his famous warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775. Built in 1737 this house is the only surviving house associated with John Hancock, who lived here as a child.
Notable highlights of our tour were the orientation film & the Revolutionary exhibit.
Written April 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Hancock-Clarke House (Lexington) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Hancock-Clarke House
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