Flagpole Lantern Hanging Ceremony

Tate House Museum is commemorating events of 1775 that marked the beginning of the American Revolution 250 years ago with a free program open to the public on the evening of April 18 from 7:00-8:30 pm.

The program will feature the hanging of two lit lanterns on the flagpole at the Means House to remember the two lanterns placed in the belfry of the Old North Church as a signal that the British were moving to Lexington-Concord by sea (the Charles River). This is part of the nationwide "Two Lights for Tomorrow" commemoration of Paul Revere's ride on the eve of the American Revolution.

The program includes a colonial-dressed portrayal of a member of the Tate family, youngest son Robert Tate, who trained as a minuteman of Portland (then Falmouth) and was called up at the Lexington alarm. The program will feature a reading of the Longfellow poem “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” and a brief account of James Means and fellow Ulster-Scots who served in the American Revolution.

The Means House is located at 1267 Westbrook Street in Portland and all are welcome to join as witnesses in this commemorative event.  Mustering begins at 7:00 pm and the historical program will commence at 7:30 pm. Refreshments provided by the team of collaborators.

For more info, contact Dave@maineulsterscots.com.  For more information about each sponsoring organization visit their websites: tatehouse.org,  stroudwaterassociation.org, and maineulsterscots.com.

In October 1775, Stroudwater was part of Falmouth.