Newtown joined locations across the country last week in commemorating Paul Revere’s historic ride in Massachusetts, where the Boston silversmith and others warned fellow patriots of the British Army’s approach toward Lexington and Concord.

Two Lights For Tomorrow was a nationwide initiative to launch the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. The symbolism of a light shining out in the darkness, national organizers said, “matters today as much as it did during the Midnight Ride.”

The America 250 CT Commission, established by Governor Ned Lamont to coordinate in-state commemorations of the anniversary, encouraged community centers, municipal buildings, museums, cultural centers, private residences, and other organizations in Connecticut to participate in Two Lights for Tomorrow by placing two lights in windows or in front of buildings during the early evening and into the night of Friday, April 18.

Newtown responded, with at least four historic locations on Main Street and a pair of private residences placing two lanterns in windows or on doorsteps. C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall, The Matthew Curtiss House, and Newtown Meeting House had all indicated they would participate in the event. At least two private residences also registered to place lanterns in their windows, replicating the “two if by sea” message cast from the tower of Boston’s Christ Church 250 years ago last Friday night.

Lynn Friedman worked with fellow Newtown residents Meredith DeSousa and Jim O’Brien to arrange local participation and/or for residents to drive around to take in the sight.

“It was beautiful,” Friedman said this week. She drove around to see the lights and lanterns, she said. Friedman also heard from others who had done the same.

“A lot of people emailed me, and sent me pictures,” Friedman said April 23. “Everybody was so delighted with it.”

Friday was the first of two days of special events to launch events leading to the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Nearly 90 locations across Connecticut registered for Two Lights For Tomorrow, including the State Capitol and Connecticut’s Old State House. Each of the state’s eight counties was represented.

An online map created by VA250, a national coordinator of the Two Lights For Tomorrow effort, had 243 check-ins as of April 23. Nearly every state, save Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, was represented with at least one participating location. The heaviest concentration of participants nationally was along the East Coast, particularly eastern Virginia.

On Saturday, states promoted a day of service. Nearly 20 Connecticut locations registered for April 19, which carried the theme “For the Common Good.”

(Our April 17, 2025 Editorial also spoke to the importance of honoring the past while hoping for tomorrow: Acknowledge The Past With Hope Toward A Brighter Future)

=====

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.