Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0200Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of the Old North Church in Boston, children can be seen playing in the street in front of the church. Above the image "T51 (Star)" is printed, below the iamge "29559 The Old North Church, Boston, Mass." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company COPYRIGHTED Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
6-(29559)
OLD NORTH CHURCH, BOSTON, MASS.
It was from the belfry tower of this Old North Church that the signal lantersn were hung for Paul Revere. Do you remember the story? It was just before the Revolutionary War began. The English governor of Boston ordered the arrest of two American leaders, Sameul Adams and John Hancock, and the capture of some ammunition stored in Concord. Alert American patriots learned the British plans.
Longellow's stirring poem, "Paul Revere's Ride," tells us that Paul Revere said to his friend,
"If the British march
By land or sea from the town tonight,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light, -
One, if by land, and two, if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm."
We can picture Revere as he anxiously watches on the "opposite shore," that is, across the mouth of the Charles River that flows into Boston harbor.
"And lo! As he looks, on the belfry's height
A glimmer, and then a gleam of light!
He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight,
A second lamp in the belfry burns!
"A hurry of hoors in a village street,"
and Paul revere is off on his famous ride to warn the patriots of Middlesex county that the British are coming.
History tells us thta Paul Revere was captured and later released. His warning, however reached Adams and Hancock and they escaped. At Concord the British were defeated and forced to retreat to Boston.
Old North Church is one of our loved historic buildings. We like to visit it for it reminds us of those patriots who gave so much that we all might have freedom.
Index references: buildings, famous and historic; history, United States; Lexington Common; Massachusetts.
Copyright by The Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection