Volume 73 · 591
Public Law 86–321
To provide for the establishment of Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
Approved September 21, 1959
Statutory text
AN ACT
To provide for the establishment of Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
Whereas the outbreak of the War of the American Revolution was essential and prerequisite to the achievement of American independence and the creation of a Federal Government; and
Whereas the events relating to the beginning of Revolutionary hostilities on the 18th and 19th of April 1775, and associated with Paul Revere, the Minute Men, and the British are of great importance in American history; and
Whereas a number of historic properties, buildings, sites, and objects in Boston, Massachusetts, and the vicinity, thereof, including the road and roadsites between Lexington and Concord, are intimately connected with the events that opened the war, and consequently, merit preservation and interpretation in the public interest as prime examples of the Nation’s historical heritage: Therefore
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That in order to preserve for the benefit of the American people certain historic structures and properties of outstanding national significance associated with the opening of the War of the American Revolution, Minute Man National Historical Park is hereby authorized to be established in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The park shall comprise not more than seven hundred and fifty acres as may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior from within the area beginning at Fiske Hill and thence lying along Massachusetts Avenue, Marrett Road and Marrett Street in the town of Lexington, along Nelson Road, Virginia Road, Old Bedford Road, and North Great Road or State Route 2–A in the town of Lincoln, and along Lexington Road, Monument Street. Liberty Street and Lowell Road in the town of Concord to and including the North Bridge and properties on both sides of the Concord River in the vicinity of the North Bridge.
Sec. 2.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire by
Acquisition of land.
donation or with donated funds, or with funds hereby authorized to be appropriated, lands and interests in lands within the area designated for the park. Administrative jurisdiction of Federal lands lying within the area designated for the park shall, with the concurrence of the Federal agency involved, be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior for administration as a part of the park.
The park shall be established as Minute Man National Historical
Notice in F. R.
Park by notice in the Federal Register when the Secretary of the Interior finds that sufficient lands within the designated area have been acquired to warrant such establishment.
Sec. 3.
To provide further for the preservation and interpretation
Preservation of historic sites.
of historic sites, structures, and properties lying along the entire route or routes where significant events occurred on the 18th and 19th of April 1775, in the cities of Boston, Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville, and the towns of Arlington, Brookline, Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, including the area generally described in section 1 as lying between Fiske Hill and the North Bridge, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in accordance with the purposes of this Act, to enter into cooperative agreements with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, political subdivisions thereof, corporations, associations, or individuals, and to erect and maintain tablets or markers, in accordance with provisions contained in the Act approved August 21, 1935, entitled “An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes” (49 Stat. 666).
Sec. 4.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized
Advisory commission.
to appoint an advisory commission of five members to advise him on the development of Minute Man National Historical Park, to consist of one member to be recommended by the selectmen of each of the towns of Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, Massachusetts; one member to be recommended by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and one member to be designated by the Secretary.
Sec. 5.
When established pursuant to this Act, the park shall be administered, protected, and developed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1–4), as amended and supplemented, and the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; U.S.C. 461–467).
Sec. 6.
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums, but not more than $8,000,000, as may be needed for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands and for development of the Minute Man National Historical Park, of which not more than $5,000,000 shall be used for acquisition purposes, and in addition thereto, such sums as may be needed for its administration and maintenance.
Approved September 21, 1959.