250 years ago, two lights changed history. Of course, they didn’t have electricity in 1775. But, when British troops began their march on a rebel munitions cache in Concord, the sexton at the Old North Church in Charlestown hung two lanterns from its steeple: the British were coming.

Seeing the lights, Paul Revere and his fellow patriots rode out to Concord to sound the alarm. While Revere was detained before he reached Concord, Samuel Prescott completed the journey, and their warning allowed the Minutemen enough time to assemble and meet the British at the Old North Bridge. The American Revolution had begun.

This April 19, Concord is celebrating the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of that first battle at Lexington and Concord: “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” As a proud local business, we are excited to welcome the thousands of visitors expected over the weekend.

Shining a Light on Concord’s History 

To honor our town’s history, we will be selling lampshades and prints featuring original artwork of Concord’s most recognizable sites, including: 

• The Old North Bridge – the site of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
• The Minute Man Statute – commemorating the first militiamen to fall in the Revolution
• The Old Manse – home of literary giants Emerson and Hawthorne 
• The Colonial Inn – historic hotel and restaurant built in 1716
• The Wright Tavern – a Concord watering hole since 1747
• Walden Pond –  the site of Thoreau’s famous cabin
• First Parish Church – historic church and meetinghouse

The artwork was created by local artist Jack Skinner. He served with the Concord Police Department for 43 years and worked throughout eastern Massachusetts as a Composite Sketch Artist. He was a talented artist, and we are proud to share his work with our community. 

The hexagonal lampshades will feature your print of choice on every other panel, and you can select from four different sizes/fits. You can also purchase the prints on their own to hang on your wall: buy 2 prints and save 10%; buy 3 prints and save 20%; buy 4 or more prints and save 30%! Buy online or in-person at our store.