Lantern Holders Network

Throughout American history, lanterns have symbolized resilience, hope, and guidance, illuminating paths during some of the country’s most challenging times. From colonial days, when Paul Revere’s lanterns warned of approaching danger, to the Underground Railroad, where lanterns hung discreetly in windows marked safe passage for those escaping slavery, these beacons represented more than light; they symbolized a lifeline, a signal that help was near.

During the Great Depression, lanterns served as a comforting presence in rural homes and struggling cities alike, their steady glow bringing warmth and stability to families gathered around to endure hard times together. In the 1960s, when Civil Rights activists marched for equality and justice, lanterns lit the way during night vigils, vigils that called for peace, unity, and a brighter future for all. They guided people through dark streets and dim alleyways, shedding light on a collective dream of justice and equity.

Today, as modern-day lantern holders, we carry this legacy forward. The world may have changed, but the call to shine light through the darkness remains timeless. Just as it did for those before us, a single lantern can symbolize unity and courage, a simple light that lets others know they are not alone.