When the coronavirus pandemic truly began to grip Lexington, the annual Patriots’ Day festivities were one of the first casualties.

Although the town remains largely on lockdown, and there are no estimates as to when large gatherings could take place again, an online alternative has emerged. A “Virtual Patriots’ Day” is in the works following a collaboration between the Lexington Historical Society, LexMedia, Munroe Center for the Arts, and Minute Man National Historical Park.

While an online experience can’t replicate the events of Lexington’s biggest day, people at home will have access to a bevy of opportunities to engage with history. A series of live events organized by the Historical Society will now be held using virtual tools.

Here is a sampling of these events, courtesy of Collections and Outreach Manager Stacey Fraser:

Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m., A Revolution of Her Own! Deborah Sampson, the first woman to fight in and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an immersive living history program chronicling her life.

Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m., Pre-recorded book reading and live Q&A with Jenny Cote. Listen to the story of April 19, 1775 come alive as author Jenny L. Cote reads snippets of scenes from her newly released eighth novel, The Declaration, the Sword, and the Spy. She’ll share how she makes the American Revolution come alive for readers of all ages.

Monday April 20, 11 a.m., First Shot!: The Day the Revolution Began, movie screening, reenactor Q&A, and colonial music with Diane Taraz. Many of us know the story of the Battle of Lexington - that the plucky band of local militia faced off against the mighty British army on the town common on April 19, 1775. But what actually happened on the Battle Green that day, and how did we get to that point?

In addition to these live events, the Historical Society is offering recordings of previous year’s reenactments, virtual tours and children’s content on their website.

The idea to host a virtual version of Patriots’ Day came shortly after the Select Board made their decision in mid-March. Historical Society had been following news of the coronavirus closely, Fraser said, and had already closed their museums to the public.

“We were really trying to be as safe as possible with our visitors, so we had made that decision already,” Fraser said. “When the town made their decision, most of us thought ‘hey it’s disappointing but it’s what people need to do to be safe.’”

Patriots’ Day is perhaps Lexington’s busiest day, and the start of the town’s peak tourism season. Although multiple events are scheduled in the middle of the night and the early morning, they draw crowds from town and around the world. This year, a new visitors center was on track to be completed in time for the holiday.

The draw for outsiders, Fraser said, stems mostly from a desire to connect with a part of American history synonymous with liberty and freedom.

“There’s a lot of people who are really historically minded, interested in that time period and the part Lexington played,” Fraser said. “It’s part of the myth of being American. Being ready to rebel against the king. There’s a lot of early American mythology tied to the Revolutionary War.”

Fraser grew up in Lexington, and like many natives, understands the mystique around the special day. In some respects, it is a point of pride among Lexingtonians. She sees residents both current and former share memories online of past Patriots’ Days every year, she said. This communal nostalgia is something Fraser knows well, too.

“You can complain about getting up in the middle of the night, but it’s something a little different,” she said. “I remember, when I was a kid, being super excited to get up at 3 am. It’s fun, you get the day off school, you get pancakes, it’s exciting.”