A Revolutionary Idea Begins to Ride
DELAWARE, Ohio — On a beautiful spring Friday with gorgeous weather that was cool but comfortable, long before sunrise on April 18, 2025, a modern-day Paul Revere rolled through Delaware County—not on horseback, but in a modest SUV, ready to rouse the community not from slumber, but into celebration.
Brent Carson, a revered local historian and retired schoolteacher, marked the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride with a one-day, 25-stop journey across the county, aimed at bringing Revolutionary War history to life—complete with costume, proclamation, poetry, and purpose.
Planning the Route with Purpose
The event, a collaboration with fellow retired Delaware City Schools teachers Ms. Gina Neer and Mrs. Kathy Verne, began taking shape in August 2024. What started with the gift of a book—The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy, given to Carson by Neer and Verne—soon evolved into a full-scale educational mission steeped in both historical reverence and community connection.
Planning began in earnest shortly after Carson received the book. Neer and Verne, both longtime friends and former colleagues, immediately offered their support and began helping with logistics, costuming, and outreach. The group mapped out a route that would touch all corners of Delaware County, carefully selecting locations with civic, historical, and community relevance.
Each of the 25 stops was notified in advance with a hand-delivered letter from Carson, explaining the purpose of the event, the historical context, and the planned arrival and departure times. The letter included details such as his arrival by vehicle accompanied by two escorts, his intent to deliver a written proclamation, and a brief performance of Longfellow’s poem.
To ensure accuracy and timing, the team conducted four full test runs of the route.
“Paul Revere spread the word far and wide,” Carson said. “I wanted to do the same across the county.”
A Bumpy but Symbolic Start
The ride kicked off at 6:55 a.m. from First Watch Restaurant in Lewis Center, chosen for its name—an intentional nod to the concept of “first watch” in Revere’s role as an early-warning rider. A brief misunderstanding at the location meant Carson was unable to deliver his planned reading, though First Watch later acknowledged the situation and extended a welcome in the future. (Read more here: Historical Ride Hits a Bump at First Watch, but Spirit Marches On.)
Carson, ever the professional and educator, accepted the moment with grace: “I appreciate hearing that. I’ll take it as a misunderstanding, and I’m content to move on.”
The Journey Through Delaware County
From that point forward, the day unfolded with the precision of a well-rehearsed script. Over the next 12 hours, Carson visited government buildings, fire departments, libraries, local businesses, retirement communities, and civic landmarks—each stop coordinated with carefully timed schedules and met with enthusiastic anticipation.
Logistics and Stops Along the Route
There was no scheduled lunch break—the team powered through the 12-hour day without stopping to eat. Bathroom logistics, however, were thoughtfully accounted for at each location. “We were not talking about stops in the wilderness,” Carson said with a smile. “It worked out fine that way.”
As the day wore on, the topic of restroom use became a running joke. At one of the final fire department stops, Carson quipped, “We have two more stops left,” to which Gina Neer replied, “No, we only have one.” Carson laughed and replied, “The first stop is to the bathroom, the last one is to Black Wing. I have not gone to the bathroom all day.”
The route stretched across the county—from small-town markets like Kilbourne and Ashley to major institutions like Delaware City Hall, the County Courthouse, and multiple law enforcement agencies.
Historical Highlights and Community Impact
Highlights included a crowd of 70 people gathered at SourcePoint, and an especially festive welcome at Willow Brook Retirement Center, where staff dressed as John Hancock and Sam Adams, and even had a large brown stuffed horse on display as a playful nod to Revere’s famous steed, Brown Beauty. The setting was decorated with colonial-style props and flags, and Carson was greeted with applause as he delivered his proclamation.
Carson’s visit to the Concord Township Fire Department was another personal highlight. He emphasized the historical symbolism of that stop, noting that Concord was Paul Revere’s actual destination, and made it a point to include it in his modern journey.
“As Paul Revere was a first responder, so are you,” Carson said to fire and police personnel at several locations, a statement that received applause at nearly every stop.
At Olive Green Fire Department, Carson delivered his proclamation and poem with clarity and pride.
Voices from the Community
One observer, Angie O’Brien, a former student of Carson’s, shared her thoughts with me after seeing him during the ride: “Seeing Mr. Carson as Paul Revere took me back to 6th grade history class. I really appreciate Mr. Carson taking the time to share his knowledge with the citizens of Delaware County. His dedication to teaching is amazing, and this county is lucky to have him.”
Delaware County Probate and Juvenile Judge David Hejmanowski, who also serves on the board of the Delaware County Historical Society, echoed that sentiment: “Brent is a local treasure. He combines historical knowledge and captivating showmanship in a way few people can. He had young and old alike held in rapt attention when reciting Longfellow’s poem and then effortlessly transitioned into a history lesson about the American Revolution.”
Carson, 76, retired in 2005 after 31 years of teaching, but he never stopped educating. “I would have never retired if I did not plan on doing more with local history,” he said.
“I love teaching,” he said. “That’s why I retired early—so I could spend more time out in the community.”
A Day to Remember
The ride ended at Black Wing Shooting Center, nearly 12 hours after it began. Reflecting on the day’s impact, Carson said:
“It was a bit tiring,” he admitted. “But I was just happy with the responses. Everybody really seemed to be into it.”
And while he joked that he likely won’t be around for the 300th anniversary of the original ride through New England, those who witnessed his 250th commemorative journey across Delaware County would likely agree: In the heart of Ohio, history isn’t just remembered—it’s still riding strong.
Watch the full video of Mr. Carson’s performance at Olive Green Fire Department on YouTube: