The Kentucky Museum hosted a “Two Lights for Tomorrow” lighting ceremony at the Felts House to commence a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“Two Lights for Tomorrow” is a nationwide initiative by America250 that commences the celebration of America’s semi-quincentennial year, according to the event’s press release. The initiative was proposed to honor Paul Revere’s and William Dawes’ midnight ride by displaying two lights in public squares across the country throughout the month.
Two candles will be on display each evening from April 2 to April 30 at the Felts House, which was built by Revolutionary War veteran Archibald Felts, according to the Kentucky Museum’s website. Several city officials and community members attended the event and shared refreshments and gingerbread before the ceremony.
Christy Spurlock, the Education Curator at the Kentucky Museum, was one of the main organizers of the event. Spurlock kicked off the ceremony with some basic history of Paul Revere’s midnight ride and the significance of the “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative.
The museum has worked with America250 since 2023, according to Spurlock. She said the museum has done 12 past programs with the America250 organization so far, including Quilt Art, New Americans in Kentucky, Black Material Culture and more.
Brent Bjorkman, Kentucky Museum director, was a main speaker and another event organizer alongside Spurlock.
The Kentucky Museum staff sees themselves as the bridge between the campus and the community, Bjorkman said. Through hosting events and initiatives like “Two Lights for Tomorrow,” both communities can come together to learn and celebrate history on campus.
“These kinds of events are a touchstone to bring people in, to make people understand,” Bjorkman said.
Bjorkman said Revere’s and Dawes’ ride was about service for the Republic, and that’s why he believes that Americans still must try and better the country.
“I think today we’re not a colonial America anymore,” Bjorkman said, “But I think we all have a duty to be able to do something to make America better, to expand the concept of what America is, and to be able to just be welcoming to all and keep it a strong country.”
Doug Gorman, Warren County Judge Executive and attendee gave a small speech at the ceremony after being introduced by Bjorkman.
Gorman gave his remarks and invited his fellow city officials to join him in reading an official signed city letter on the initiative. The Warren County Courthouse will also be lighting two candles during April, according to Gorman.
The U.S. was founded on Americans who put their service to their country before themselves, Gorman said during his speech. He told the Herald that Americans must remember where they came from to know where they’re going to go.
“We have so many new Americans and they should know the story of Paul Revere because, at the time, he was a new American,” Gorman said. “So, we all have that connection. If you’ve come to America, we’ve got the connection of the impact he made.”
