When most Lexington first-graders were memorizing the names of Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, Sabrina Bhattacharjya, now a freshman at Lexington High School, was already securing a domain name for a website highlighting the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
“I bought the domain with the help of my parents when I was seven. They are my financial advisers,” Bhattacharjya said. “I’ve loved American history since I was six years old, when Hamilton came out.”
The result of that early enthusiasm is Lexington250.com, a vibrant, student-created platform reimagining revolutionary history for a modern audience. Created for Lexington’s 250th anniversary celebration, the site was initially a place to sell merchandise.
“Originally, the site was only merch … My original three t-shirts were ‘Don’t Forget William Dawes,’ ‘Paul Revere Was Real,’ and ‘Samuel Prescott Alerted Concord,’ Bhattacharjya said.
However, today, the platform offers far more than apparel: visitors can learn about the history behind Lexington, read detailed descriptions about notable figures, and even scroll through a catalog of every restaurant and shop in Lexington. The merchandise remains, but is now one piece of a larger effort to make the town’s past and present feel connected and accessible.
“I just wanted to make cool, fun stuff that makes the American Revolution exciting. It’s great to have a shirt that says ‘Lexington, Massachusetts, established in 1713,’ but I’m not wearing that, right? I’m from here. I want a deep-cut history that most people don’t know,” Bhattacharjya said.
One merchandise line—the “Pride Collection”—embodies that approach.
“I thought having a pride collection was super important because queer people are often left out of American history. It’s probably [true for] the American Revolution just because that’s the nature of queer history,” Bhattacharjya said.
This fresh approach has caught national attention. Bhattacharjya recalls her surprise when the New York Times reached out for an interview:
“They reached out via my contact form on my website … and they were like, ‘Hey. We’ve heard about you, and there’s also this other Lex250 celebration site. And you guys seem to be different … What’s the story here?’” Bhattacharjya said.
Bhattacharjya’s work has also spread thanks to online platforms.
“I’ve gone viral on TikTok. I’ve gone viral on Instagram,” Bhattacharjya said. “People like Ken Burns, Maura Healey—they’re all fans of my work because I’ve met them on social media.”
Still, her roots in Lexington are what ground her. The town isn’t just a historical landmark—it’s home, and Bhattacharjya takes pride in it.
“I’ve lived in Lexington my whole life. I went to Bridge, Diamond, and now I’m at LHS,” Bhattacharjya said. “I saw [an episode of Liberty’s Kids], and I was like, ‘Wait. Buckman Tavern? Is it my Buckman Tavern in Lexington?’”
Not long after, she became a member of the Lexington Historical Society, eager to dive deeper into the town’s past. For Bhattacharjya, being a “public historian” means making history accessible to everyone, especially through digital platforms. However, her goals extend far beyond April 19th, 2025.
“We’re the start of the revolution. I have at least until 2026 to keep this going. I am by no means leaving,” Bhattacharjya said.
Her vision is as much about reinterpreting history as it is about accessibility and justice.
“Fifty years ago, I probably would not have been able to get the history as accessible just because of racism, sexism, and a ton of other things, so it’s just been a remarkable experience in that sense too,” Bhattacharjya said.
Her work challenges outdated narratives while making space for voices that history has too often overlooked. It’s a balancing act between the past and the present, activism and artistry, and school and self-made success. Even with the demands of rowing, orchestra, and high school, Bhattacharjya’s passion for learning and sharing history drives her in her work on Lexington250.com.
“If you do what you love, you do it well. There’s no way you can go but up,” Bhattacharjya said.
