Historic Triangle to commemorate 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, 1775 Gunpowder Incident

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – This week, Williamsburg and Yorktown are participating in Two Lights for Tomorrow, a nationwide initiative that commences the 250th birthday of the United States.

Paul Revere’s famous ride took place on the night of April 18, 1775.

Revere was tasked with riding his horse from Boston to Lexington to warn of the movements of British soldiers. He asked a friend to display lanterns in a church window to signal to other patriots how the British were moving: One lantern, if by land, and two, if by sea.

The next day, the battles of Lexington and Concord broke out, and the colonists were well-prepared.

In honor of Revere’s history-altering ride, private homes, businesses and community sites alike are encouraged to display two lights in April 2025. 

Two Lights for Tomorrow originated out of a multi-state collaboration at A Common Cause to All in Williamsburg. The initiative draws attention to the beginning of our endeavor to work together as a nation for a better tomorrow. 

According to VA250, there is not a specific type of light, duration of display or location. The emphasis is on the willingness to participate. Examples range from two spotlights at state capitals to two lights shining in individual homes, and everyone is encouraged to take part.

Those who join in on the initiative are invited to contact Kevin Hampton, VA250 assistant director of programs and education, to have their lights added to an official map.

In Yorktown, more than 20 small businesses, government buildings and historic sites have announced their participation, from the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to York Hall to Carrot Tree Kitchens.

The Colonial Williamsburg Capitol and Jamestown Settlement Museum Building will also display lights in honor of the occasion. 

Additionally, the 250th anniversary of another major Revolutionary era event will be celebrated at Colonial Williamsburg this week: the Gunpowder Incident of 1775.

According to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the incident was “the most famous historical event to take place at the Powder Magazine.” 

The ordeal unfolded when the Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, fearing revolt, ordered the British Army to confiscate gunpowder stores from the public powder magazine. Upon learning of Dunmore’s actions, the colonial militia began to muster, sparking the beginning of the Revolution. 

Re-enactments of the Gunpowder Incident will be held at Colonial Williamsburg nightly, April 18 – 21, in front of the courthouse steps at 8:30 p.m. These events are free and open to the public. 

Those who attend will “participate in the moment the Revolution arrives,” according to the Foundation.
 
For more information on Two Lights for tomorrow, visit va250.org/two-lights.

See below for our curated guide of events happening in and around the Historic Triangle this week, April 14 – 20.