Lex250 Merchandise

On April 19, 1875, Lexington marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington with a grand Centennial celebration. It was a day of pageantry, oration, and civic pride. One of the most iconic features was a triumphal arch, raised on Massachusetts Avenue to welcome the thousands of visitors who came to honor the town’s historic stand.

Designed by local craftsmen and decorated with patriotic bunting and garlands, the original Centennial Arch served as a powerful symbol of Lexington’s identity. When President Ulysses S. Grant and other dignitaries arrived, they passed beneath it—a reminder that this small town had changed the course of a continent. Though the arch was temporary, its impact lingered in the town’s collective memory.

The 1875 arch was both gateway and gesture: a physical marker of remembrance and a bold act of volunteerism. It reflected what Lexington has always done in its most defining moments—mobilize ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

2025: A New Arch, A Living Legacy

250 years after that first shot, we honor that legacy with a new VO250 Arch—not only as a tribute to history, but as a beacon for the future. This modern interpretation, designed to evoke both the form and spirit of the 1875 structure, is more than commemorative. It is interactive, alive, and deeply rooted in Lexington’s culture of civic engagement. For every 20,000 hours of documented volunteer service contributed to Lexington between now and July 2026, the VO250 Arch representative bulbs will be illuminated. The arch will be completely lit when our community has completed 250,000 hours of volunteer service. Each illumination represents not just time served, but a collective reaffirmation of Lexington’s founding values—community, service, and shared responsibility.

This dynamic feature transforms the arch from static sculpture to civic scoreboard. It grows brighter with every act of generosity—from coaching and conservation to tutoring and town service. Whether it’s a student’s first time volunteering or a retiree’s 100th committee meeting, every hour counts.

Just like its predecessor, the VO250 Arch is a portal—one that invites us to step through, not into a parade ground, but into action. It’s a space to reflect on what Lexington has stood for—and to commit to what it still can be.

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.