Join Morris County’s “Two If By Sea” Campaign; Shine Two Lamps for Two Hours
Paul Revere and other American patriots rode into the night of April 18, 1775, warning Minute Men and militias in Massachusetts that British troops were crossing the mouth of the Charles River from Boston to seize their guns and quell their budding rebellion.
Their ride, and the American Revolution, were triggered by a simple signal: two lanterns hung from the bell tower of Boston’s tallest building, the Old North Church. Two lanterns meant the troops were crossing the Charles River at the Boston Harbor or “Two If By Sea,” and the next day, the British were met in Lexington and Concord by armed militants in skirmishes that became known as “the shot heard round the world.”
Join Morris County this Good Friday, April 18, 2025, in celebrating “Two If By Sea,” that fateful evening 250 years ago when the lamps were hung. Place two lamps, lanterns or lights for two hours in the windows of homes, businesses, churches, stores and town halls or schools between 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The simple homage will begin April 18 with the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County 250th Anniversary Steering Committee shining two beacons from both the Morris County Courthouse and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown. The clergy, staff and congregation of St. Peter’s, an Anglican church, is graciously supporting the celebration, as the Old North Church in Boston was also an Anglican church in 1775.
“Two If By Sea”
Revere is credited with developing the signal plan: One lantern if the British marched out of Boston via a land bridge to the mainland; two lanterns if they rowed boats across the mouth of the Charles River from Boston in their march to Lexington and Concord.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow memorialized – and romanticized – the events 85 years later with his famous poem, Paul Revere’s Ride, which included the stanza:
“One if by land, and two if by sea; and I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm through every Middlesex village and farm, for the country-folk to be up and to arm.”
The signal activated a network of riders — including Paul Revere and William Dawes — who spread the word across Massachusetts’ countryside. By morning, colonial militia were ready for British forces in Lexington, where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, and then again as the battered British moved on to Concord.
“This campaign brings us together to honor the night that changed the course of our nation,” said Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers, liaison to the Morris County 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. “We hope to see homes, public buildings and landmarks across Morris County shining with two lights, to reflect on the bravery of our forefathers that brought about a pivotal moment in our history.”
Everyone is encouraged to take photos of homes, businesses and other places joining the event and to post them to social media using #TwoIfBySea. Please mention: @MorrisCountyNJ.
“Lighting two lanterns didn’t just warn a town, it activated a movement,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Morris County 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. “It was the first signal in a revolution driven by ordinary citizens standing up for extraordinary ideals.”
The Morris County Commissioners are formally endorsing the campaign with a proclamation to be adopted, tomorrow, April 9.
The “Two If By Sea” campaign is part of a broader effort to celebrate Morris County’s 250th Anniversary, a multi-year observance the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 spearheaded by the Morris County Tourism Bureau, as well as the County Commissioners and 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. Efforts kicked off locally in September 2024 with the rededication of a Revolutionary War-era replica cannon outside the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall.
More events and programs will be announced throughout 2025 and 2026, as Morris County continues to commemorate its critical role in the founding of the United States. Article courtesy of the County of Morris.
