An event that shaped the world we live in took place not 100 yards from the Old Manse, and during our visit we were able to spend some time at the North Bridge, where the second battle of the Revolutionary War was fought.  On this hill, five companies of Minutemen and another five companies of militia, about 400 men in total, waited for a force of 95 men under Captain Walter Laurie and the rest, as they say, is history...
Just a side note not many people are aware of is that the North Bridge was the inspiration for the bridge from Cinderella's Castle to Liberty Square at Walt Disney World.