NORTH SMITHFIELD – Efforts to commemorate the birth of a nation 250 years ago will come to North Smithfield later this month, when locals join in symbolic displays, and gather to remember the famous ride of Paul Revere that started the American Revolution.
On the evening of Friday, April 18, homes and businesses across the Blackstone Valley will be among thousands in the U.S. displaying two shining lights – a representation of the lanterns that hung as a signal of the British troops’ approach. Revere’s ride took place overnight on April 18 to 19 in 1775.
The initiative, dubbed “Two Lights for Tomorrow,” with mark an official commencement of the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. Anyone can participate by displaying two lights to mimic the imagery of the significant historic event.
“At its heart it is a call across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, for two lights to be displayed to remind us all of the importance to come together to form a more perfect union,” notes the national website promoting the effort.
North Smithfield Heritage Association President Richard Keene said that the idea to promote Two Lights locally came during talks with officials in the Blackstone Valley Heritage Corridor and the National Park Service.
“We just ran with those ideas,” said Keene.
“Ring in America,” is the second of those ideas, allowing the town to join in a national celebration of history with the help of a church at the center of one historic North Smithfield village.
The bells at Slatersville Congregational Church will ring at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 21 – just as colonialists rang bells in 1775 to spread the word that the battles of Lexington and Concord had launched the Revolutionary War.
“That will take place in communities all along the Blackstone River Valley,” said Keene.
The bells in Slatersville will ring once again at 5:30 p.m. April 21 to start a community event honoring the nation’s landmark anniversary at the church at 25 Green St.
Working with Pastor Sean Amato and Rev. Natalia de Rezendes of the Smithfield Friends Meeting, Keene has laid out a program to include historical information, musical performances, a musket salute and more.
The free, public event will begin when the church bells ring for two and a half minutes – a symbol of America’s two and a half centuries. Allison Horrocks of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will speak on how the battles of Lexington and Concord affected North Smithfield.
“Of course, it was Smithfield back then,” explained Keene.
Town Administrator Scott Gibbs will also give remarks, and Amato and de Rezendes will offer invocations. Hannah Hazelton will lead a choir from Smithfield Friends in “The Concord Hymn,” and Jill Boday will lead a performance of the congregational church’s bell choir.
“They’ll do a couple of songs from the Revolutionary War period,” Keene said.
The gathering will then move outside, where 250 lanterns will light the night sky, and activities will include a listing of Revolutionary War veterans buried in town, and the firing of a musket salute by a contingent from the Rhode Island Reds.
While some elements of the town’s National 250th Anniversary Celebration Program are still awaiting confirmation, Keene is hoping for participation from several other local groups including school choruses, emergency responders, fraternal organizations, Scouts and more.
Those interested in helping with the commemoration are asked to contact Keene at [email protected].
“We need to light 250 lanterns, so we could always use help,” he said.
Organizers hope that both Two Lights and the gathering will unite locals to create an impressive display by one small town honoring the nation’s history.
“I think it will be a nice way to commemorate the events of 250 years ago,” Keene said.
