In 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary (a “semiquincentennial”). Many states, Maine included, have formed semiquincentennial commissions to observe this historical landmark.
“Two Lights for Tomorrow” is a nationwide initiative to officially kick off the celebration of the semiquincentennial. The famous rides of Paul Revere and others to alert American patriots of the British troops coming occurred overnight on April 18 and into April 19, 1775. The signal — two lanterns in the Old North Church in Boston — signaled that the British were arriving via water, which would have been the Charles River.
In commemoration, the city of Presque Isle will place two lanterns in a front window of City Hall at 12 Second Street on the night of April 18. In addition, one of the city’s community partners, Presque Isle Historical Society, will also place two lanterns in the front window of the 1875 Vera Estey House Museum at 16 Third St. that evening.
“Two Lights for Tomorrow” is using this as a call to action for citizens, regardless of location across the country, to commemorate and celebrate that our shared history is about working together for a promising future.
Any individual, business or organization can participate simply by placing two lights in the window on the evening of Friday, April 18, to raise awareness of and draw attention to the beginning of the celebration of the semiquincentennial.
Maine’s Semiquincentennial Committee is asking cities and towns all across the state to hold celebrations in 2026. Here in Presque Isle, Presque Isle Historical Society is leading the way with numerous community partners, such as the city, to hold celebratory events every month of the year in 2026.
For more information, contact Kimberly Smith as ksmith@presqueisleme.us.
Kimberly R. Smith is the resource development and public information officer for the city of Presque Isle. She can be reached at 760-2722 or via email at ksmith@presqueisleme.us.
