Spark Change. Make History.
You’re invited to Lanterns & Luminaries: a special evening at the historic Old North Church celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous “two if by sea” lantern signal in April of 1775. Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, will accept the Third Lantern Award, which is presented annually to an individual who embodies the values symbolized in Old North’s iconic signal lanterns: leadership, courage, hope, tenacity, and active citizenship.
We are thrilled to share that the event will be live-streamed on GBH’s Forum Network for free! Stream the event on YouTube below:
The Lanterns & Luminaries program will include music from a small ensemble of Boston Pops musicians, a dramatic reading of “Paul Revere’s Ride” by PBS’ Roberto Mighty, the presentation of the Third Lantern Award, and an inspiring keynote address from Mr. Lockhart. The evening concludes with a fun gathering where guests can enjoy refreshments and witness the lighting of the lanterns in the church steeple.
In 1860, when America found itself on the precipice of civil war, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” as a rallying cry to bolster American patriotism in support of the Union. Just as Longfellow harnessed stories from our shared history to inspire Unionists and abolitionists, the Boston Pops retells and remixes our national stories to share a vision of America that we can all be proud of. Each year, millions of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs tune in on July 4 to watch the Pops play at the Hatch Shell — and each year they see the best of America. As we prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, we can’t think of anyone better to usher in this momentous occasion than the steward of America’s Orchestra.
Lanterns & Luminaries is our signature annual fundraiser, and proceeds support Old North Illuminated’s mission to inspire active citizenship and courageous, compassionate leadership by interpreting and preserving the Old North Church Historic Site. Through on-site, virtual, and classroom-based educational programming, ONI engages a wide range of audiences in the fundamental question of what it means to bravely step forward and spark change. Old North Illuminated is a secular 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship of Lanterns & Luminaries is tax-deductible as permitted by law. Sponsors and their guests will join Keith Lockhart and the Old North Illuminated Board of Directors for a special Luminary Reception in Old North’s beautiful Washington Garden before the program.
Sponsorship packages are still available. For questions about sponsorship opportunities, please email ONI Executive Director, Nikki Stewart, at nstewart@oldnorth.com
Additional Information
Angela Johnson, Chair of the Old North Illuminated Board of Directors, Co-Chair
Jared Bowen, GBH Executive Arts Editor & Host of GBH News’ The Culture Show, Co-Chair
Paul Belanger and Teri Groome
Jeff Bray
Nancy Csaplar
Lynn Dale and Frank Wisneski
Woodie Haskins
Steve Kidder and Judy Malone
Lisa and Peter Levesque
Michael Maler
Jo Frances Meyer and Carl M. Herbert
Ann Moritz
Madeleine Rodriguez and Francisco Morales
Barbara Russell
Jackie Russell
Nikki Stewart and Jake Sconyers
Revolutionary
Steve and Lisa Ayres
Jeff and Kristen Bray
Knollmeyer Building Corp.
Meet Boston
Minuteman
Maryann Brink and Jonathan Chu
Copley Wolff
Nancy Csaplar
Lynn Dale and Frank Wisneski
Susan and Charles Eddy
Jillian and Andrew McGrath
Miss Wallace Minot Leonard Foundation
Gordon and Barbara Russell
Allen Snyder
Lantern
Paul Belanger and Teri Groome
Anne Bailey Berman and Roger Berman
The Bigelow Family
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
The Doucette/Downey Family
Eastern Bank
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Greylock Roofing Co., Inc.
Joanne Hayes-Rines
Kirsten Hoffman
Angela Johnson
Steve Kidder and Judy Malone
Jo Frances Meyer and Carl M. Herbert
The Mill River Foundation
Jim and Joyce Morgan
Thomas A. Kershaw / Hampshire House Hospitality Group
The Townsend Family
Keith Lockhart is Conductor of the Boston Pops and Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. 2025 marked his 30th anniversary as Conductor of the Boston Pops, a tenure that includes over 2,250 performances, 45 national tours to more than 150 cities, and five international tours. He and the Pops have made 80 television shows and participated in such high-profile sporting events as Super Bowl XXXVI, the 2008 NBA Finals, the 2013 Boston Red Sox Ring Ceremony, and, most recently, Game 2 of the 2018 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. The annual July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular draws a live audience of more than half a million, with millions more who watch on television or live webcast.
Roberto Mighty is an award-winning filmmaker, PBS producer/host, multimedia artist, and educator. He is the writer, producer, and director of 39 television episodes broadcast on PBS stations nationwide. He was recently appointed to the Museum of Fine Arts’ Table of Voices panel for their 2026 Art of the Americas Collection, and commissioned to create an augmented reality experience and multimedia website, “We Were Here Too” for the City of Boston’s Un-Monument project. He serves on the Presidential Board of Advisors at Lesley University and is commissioned to create a historic digital art panel illustration for Boston Harbor Now for 2026.
