Styles of Colonial Lanterns

Barn Lantern

• The earliest colonial barn lantern consisted of a metal cylindrical-shaped container punched throughout with small holes. One side of the lantern had a cutout hinged door and attached to the top was a thin metal handle making the lantern conveniently portable. A burning candle inside the lantern illuminated the trek to the barn. The door of the lantern could be left open before entering the barn, radiating more light, but was closed upon entering the barn due to fire danger.

Williamsburg Lantern

• Replicas of the colonial Williamsburg lantern are some of the favorite styles today. Originating as a lantern that was desired by rich merchants who wanted fine copper lighting to shed light on their doorways, the Williamsburg lantern was imported from England. Many variations of this lantern have been designed, but the earliest ones retained the standard features of a solid bottom piece, glass sides and ventilation holes in the top portion of the lantern.

Old North Church Lantern

• The earliest Old North Church lanterns served as a warning to the people in Charlestown. On April 17, 1775, an associate of Paul Revere was instructed through a prearranged signal to hang one lighted lantern in the North Church tower in Boston if he saw British troops coming by land. If he saw them coming by sea, the signal was to hang two lighted lanterns in the tower, which he did. Replicas of these lanterns serve as historic remembrances.

Ship Lantern

• Primitive 1820 ship lanterns were originally used by the captain of a whaling ship in his quarters. This four-sided glass lantern had a round top with a round vent and was made of brass. Other versions of the lantern were utilized in colonial times by the captains of clipper ships who were sailing around the world trading for tea in China. The ship lantern would illuminate the dark passageways on these colonial ships.