The Delaware Company to commemorate Paul Revere’s ride

In 2025, our nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War and kick off a commemorative period that will last several years, including 2026, when we will also mark the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

The Delaware Company plans to begin the commemoration with a special event, “The British Are Coming!” at Seminary Hill Cidery in Callicoon beginning at 3 p. m. on Saturday, April 26, specifically celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride.

As many know, on April 18, 1775, Boston silversmith Paul Revere, along with Samuel Prescott and William Dawes, embarked on a ride to alert the Minutemen in the area about the advance of British troops. By giving the Minutemen advance warning of the British Army’s actions, the ride played a crucial role in the Patriot victory in the subsequent battles at Lexington and Concord.

But the British army encircled Boston, and Paul Revere was unable to return home for weeks after the ride, leaving his wife Rachel uncertain as to his fate.

The Delaware Company’s event will include a social hour, a dramatic reading by local actor Oliver King of the famous Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” dinner, and the one-woman play, “Rendezvous with Rachel Revere” by Judith Kalaora of History at Play™. A brief question and answer period will follow the play.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance! Tickets include social hour, dramatic reading, dinner, play and Q&A.

RENDEZVOUS WITH RACHEL REVERE

It is May 2, 1775 and Rachel Revere has only heard from her beloved husband Paul once since his legendary midnight ride on the 18th of April. Still isolated from one another due to the Siege of Boston, Rachel desperately tries to create a plan to safely take her children: six step-children from Paul’s first marriage and a newborn baby of their own, from the reach of the British Regular Army in Boston. In this program, you will help Rachel, as she carefully considers the dangers and demands of each plan. Find out if Rachel is successful in her perilous mission to unite her family, amidst the wake of an American Revolution.

History At Play™ was founded in 2010 by Artistic Director Judith Kalaora. Offering solo and ensemble programs with an emphasis on women’s history, H.A.P. is woman-owned and operated, with a commitment to employ artists from the region. Kalaora is a professional educator, writer and living historian. She graduated from Syracuse University and completed the Globe Education Program at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre of London, England.