Lexington was preparing for battle long before British soldiers arrived on April 19th, 1775. The day before, Paul Revere and William Dawes, fellow Sons of…
The Lexington Minute Men will conduct the 250th Anniversary Reenactment of the Civilian Evacuation of the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Lexington on…
Join us for a special USS Lexington Ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington, the historic clash that ignited the American Revolution.…
Hosted by the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, this public ceremony will include a tree dedication service, U.S. Flag rituals, patriotic…
After the 250th Battle of Lexington Anniversary Reenactment, the morning will pivot to an exciting and never-before-seen Patriotic Performance and demonstration by the U.S. Army…
Lexington’s Patriots’ Day Parade honors Lexington’s history as the birthplace of liberty and provides a fun-filled afternoon for families of all ages. This year’s parade…
The Lexington Bicentennial Band Concert will be the culmination of the Patriot’s Day Celebration for the 250th Anniversary of the first battle of the American…
Where is the Parker boulder? Is there a weathervane on the Belfry? What happened at the Harrington House? No matter how long you've lived in…
Join the Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and members of the Lexington Minutemen Company at a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the…
Patriotic Picnic in the Park – Celebrate History, Community, and Freedom under the Open Sky REGISTRATION & MEAL ORDER FORM Close out a momentous weekend…
The Battle of Lexington reverberated far beyond the small town common that started a war. Ordinary citizens were swept up in a new revolution, navigating…
Every year on Patriot's Day, the National Lancers reenact the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes. Paul Revere leaves on horseback from the North…
VO250 is more than a label—it’s a legacy. It tells a story that spans four centuries and captures the spirit that has defined Lexington since its founding: the power of volunteers to shape history.
In the 1700s, when everyday people—farmers, blacksmiths, ministers—stood together on April 19, 1775, they weren’t professional soldiers. They were volunteers, driven by principle and a shared sense of responsibility. Their courage didn’t just launch a revolution, it forged Lexington’s civic identity.
In the 1800s, that spirit continued to blossom. Concerned about the town’s appearance for the nation’s Centennial in 1876, Lexington residents created the Lexington Field & Garden Club, the first in the United States. Their efforts beautified streets, planted trees, and transformed the Common from a rough hayfield into a town green worthy of its legacy. Around the same time, the Lexington Historical Society and Cary Memorial Library were founded—both by residents who saw a need and volunteered together to fill it.
Then came the 1900s and, with them, a new symbol of Lexington’s volunteerism. In 1955, during the standardization of telephone systems, Lexington was assigned the prefix “VO” for “volunteer.” Local phone numbers began with VO2, which translates to today’s 862. The town didn’t choose that code. The phone company did. But it resonated because, in Lexington, “volunteer” isn’t just a word; it’s who we are. Long before hashtags and online organizing, Lexington’s phone lines were already echoing civic commitment. Many residents still have landlines beginning with “86”—a daily reminder of the values we live by.
VO250 is a celebration of Lexington’s 250 years since April 19, 1775. But more than that, it’s a tribute to the people who have made this town what it is—through vision, generosity, and service. It’s an invitation to carry that legacy forward.
