Bucks Lehigh Valley Historic Tavern Trail

America250: Continental Army Base and Field Hospital at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem

Sat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM EDT

Tavern at the Sun Inn, 564 Main St, Bethlehem, PA, US

We'll continue our exploration of how the Lehigh Valley contributed to the Revolutionary War effort as we visit the Tavern at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem.

The Sun Inn opened its doors to weary colonial travelers in 1760 (construction began in 1758 which is typically cited as the Sun Inn's founding year). It was built by the Moravian community that settled Bethlehem as a "public house of entertainment." Given its location on the way between Philadelphia and New York and the fact that it was the first inn in the new world to offer private suite lodgings, the Sun Inn soon became a favored stop for 18th-century dignitaries.

George and Martha Washington were two of its most famous guests. Martha's suite has been re-created in the Sun Inn's museum. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ethan Allen, Alexander Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette (who did not enjoy his short time at the Sun Inn) were some of the other noteworthy guests to stay here.

Some guests apparently never left. The Sun Inn is said to be haunted and hosts Ghost and Spirit Tours every fall. We'll talk about these ghost stories but since this is part of our year-long America250 celebration, we'll focus this meetup on the Sun Inn's role during the Revolutionary War, when it served as a field hospital for wounded Continental Army troops, especially after the Battle of Brandywine, and a de facto military base, with 900 army wagons encamped behind the building at one point.

At least 14 members of the Continental Congress met here in September 1777 after Philadelphia was evacuated. Congress eventually reconvened in Lancaster then York.

Lunch is at 1 p.m., optional drink at the bar at 12:30. We can only have up to 15 people. To limit late cancellations and no-shows, there is a $6 fee to attend this meetup. Funds collected will pay for a shared appetizer course and defray the cost of running this meetup group.

We will be able to order off the regular menu and pay by separate checks.

See you there!

America250: Ghosts of the Revolution at McCoole's Red Lion Inn

Sat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM EDT

McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn, 4 S Main St, Quakertown, PA, US

Our America250 celebration continues with a special Halloween-themed Meetup as we return to McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn in Quakertown to learn about the ghosts that haunt this historic venue.

McCoole's dates to about 1747, when it was opened as a colonial-era tavern by Walter McCoole. With all the history this building has seen--the Liberty Bell evacuation in 1777, the Fries Rebellion in 1799, the Underground Railroad throughout the early to mid 19th century-- it's not surprising that there'd still be a few ghosts hanging around the place.

Hoods of people's hoodies have mysteriously been yanked, bottles have been knocked off their shelves behind the bar, ghostly orbs and spectral images have been seen, and there have even been repeated encounters with a ghostly patron in one of the ladies restrooms at McCoole's as well as a "ghost child" in both the tavern and neighboring arts center.

We'll hear these scary ghost stories directly from the owner and staff who have experienced them. So get your Halloween started right with some local history and tales of the paranormal over drinks and lunch.

See you there!