The Old North Foundation's Lantern Lighting Event Raises Over $130,000

Boston MA

14 April, 2022

11:55 AM

Description

BOSTON, Mass. – On Wednesday, April 13, the Old North Foundation re-enacted the famous lantern signal that ignited the American Revolution, "One if by land, two if by sea." The lantern lighting ceremony commemorates the events of April 18, 1775 when two men hung two lanterns from the church's steeple as a signal from Paul Revere before he set off on his midnight ride warning rural patriots that the British troops were coming. The act of defiance that inspired a nation to collectively win our independence from Britain is a reminder of the power of active citizenship to create a more perfect union that reflects the promise of liberty and justice for all. This year's event program, which was held in-person and livestreamed for virtual audiences, featured Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums, a reading of the poem "Paul Revere's Ride" by Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, and keynote remarks by the 2022 Third Lantern Award recipient Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP and 108th Mayor of New York City. The event concluded with the ceremonial lighting and hanging of the two lanterns in the iconic steeple as a beacon of liberty, tenacity, and hope. A reception with live music and food followed. Money raised through Lantern2022 supports the Old North Foundation's virtual and on-site programs, which aim to inspire children and adults alike to consider the ways in which they can build a more just and equitable world. This year's event raised $130,000. "We believe Old North Church's relevance today requires a critical lens and honest dialogue about the nation's founding ideals and the ongoing struggle to realize those ideals," says Nikki Stewart, Old North Foundation Executive Director. "Funds raised through Lantern2022 will support our efforts to equip educators with curricula and enrichment materials that take a fresh look at the past and encourage students to identify themselves as active citizens who are gaining the wisdom, confidence, and motivation to participate in their communities." Since the 1975 bicentennial anniversary of the lantern hanging, residents and community leaders have come together to participate in a ceremony honoring the patriots who facilitated that fateful night. Bloomberg, who grew up in Medford, Mass., is the 2022 recipient of the national landmark's Third Lantern Award for his tenacious commitment to community building and his lifelong drive to create positive change that embodies the values of the Old North Church & Historic Site. In June 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies gifted Old North $250,000 to support its operations over the next five years and bolster its re-opening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will also enable staff to begin implementing a new strategic plan, which includes confronting Old North's history with the slave and cacao trades, and to create engaging content for K-12 educators that includes discussion points on civic engagement, liberty, and personal values. Bloomberg served as the keynote speaker for this year's event. "This is a special night for me. And I want to thank everyone at the Old North Foundation for taking such good care of this sacred place – and for keeping it alive for new generations of visitors, especially children," said Mike Bloomberg. "The education work that happens here at the church really is so important – because it's not just about the history of the American Revolution. It's about the future of the American Experiment." Bloomberg spoke of how America's never-ending debate over self-evident truths – the meaning of equality, and of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – lies at the heart of the American experience but how our ability to carry on this tradition is being jeopardized by one of democracy's greatest dangers: righteous intolerance. He continued saying, "Every time we face up to our mistakes and failures, we grow stronger because patriotism doesn't require perfection from the past. It requires honesty in the present. Each generation is called to refresh the story of America. Not to rewrite history – but to revisit it, recast it, and reclaim it, and pass it down to the next generation, by teaching them about our civic foundations, cracks and all, so that they can continue the work of building a more perfect union." Bloomberg's full remarks can be read here. This summer, Old North Church & Historic Site will be open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Holiday hours may vary. Tickets will be offered at $5 per person. Self-guided tours give an in-depth view of the building that once served wealthy merchants, government officials, and skilled tradesmen. Visitors can walk through box pews, admire the 17th century angels flanking the church's 1759 organ, and learn about the experiences of free and enslaved Black congregants. Tours of the crypt will be an additional $5. All visitors must adhere to all CDC health and safety guidelines. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit: www.oldnorth.com. About The Old North Foundation of Boston / Old North Church and Historic Site Established in 1991, The Old North Foundation of Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is responsible for historic site operations and interpretative, educational, and preservation programs at the iconic Old North Church and Historic Site. A secular organization that is independent of Christ Church in the City of Boston, Old North Foundation welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors annually while overseeing the use and preservation of an enduring symbol of American independence. The Foundation serves a wide audience by creating meaningful experiences through educational outreach, site-specific programming, and historical analysis. Old North Foundation works collaboratively with the church congregation, the U.S National Park Service, the Freedom Trail Foundation, and other non-profits to foster educational and interpretive programs for students and visitors while engaging the public in Old North Church's history and its role in inspiring liberty and freedom. For more information, visit: www.oldnorth.com. ###