Photos of Lehigh Valley

The gorgeous Dietrich Farm

We fight for a beautiful life.

The Reverend Abraham Blumer Homestead and Barn is located just to the east in neighboring South Whitehall Township (Lehigh County, PA). [1, 2]
Dating back to approximately 1770 to 1785, this historic homestead and rare pre-Revolutionary War bank barn serve as a major connection to the local legend of the Liberty Bell. [3, 4]

The Liberty Bell Connection

* The Wagon Route: During the Revolutionary War, British forces marched toward Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell was quickly evacuated north toward Allentown for safekeeping. [3, 5]
* The Breakdown: According to local history, Reverend Blumer’s wagon was chosen to aid the transport. The wagon, which was kept in this specific barn, unfortunately broke down during the trek. Another local farmer, Frederick Leaser, stepped in to complete the delivery using his own wagon. [3]

* The Hiding Place: Reverend Blumer served as the pastor of Zion Reformed Church in Allentown. He oversaw the operation that successfully concealed the Liberty Bell under the church floorboards. [5]
*
Structure & Current Preservation Efforts

* The Barn: A rare, intact 1770s bank barn featuring iconic local stone masonry arches. Its architectural framework heavily influenced later civic buildings in South Whitehall Township. [6, 7]
* The Homestead: An late 18th-century stone farmhouse sits next to the barn. It is currently covered in stucco, which obscures its original historic stone facade. [4]
* Preservation Crisis: The property is privately owned by the JERAS Corporation. Local preservation groups launched active petitions on Change.org to stabilize the buildings and block corporate re-development proposals, with hopes of transforming the homestead into a dedicated historical museum. [1, 5, 8]
*

If you are researching local history, let me know if you want details on other Liberty Bell sites in the Lehigh Valley, or more on Frederick Leaser, whose homestead actually is located in Albany Township!

[1] [https://www.wfmz.com](https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lehigh-county/allentown-area/historic-1770s-barn-at-risk-as-landowner-considers-multiple-sales-including-data-center-proposal/article_e28ecef6-c55f-4df9-8e35-7dcce3920c86.html)
[2] [https://www.wfmz.com](https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lehigh-county/allentown-area/historic-1770s-barn-at-risk-as-landowner-considers-multiple-sales-including-data-center-proposal/article_e28ecef6-c55f-4df9-8e35-7dcce3920c86.html)
[3] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/PhotosOfLehighValley/posts/on-the-trail-of-the-liberty-bellthe-blumer-barn-a-pre-american-revolutionary-war/1330548628643511/)
[4] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/BoKoltnowWFMZ/videos/looking-at-the-barn-is-a-view-back-in-time-250-years-agoand-time-will-tell-if-th/1291922142786166/)
[5] [https://www.change.org](https://www.change.org/p/protect-and-restore-the-reverend-blumer-farm-house-and-barn)
[6] [https://www.wfmz.com](https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lehigh-county/allentown-area/historic-1770s-barn-at-risk-as-landowner-and-township-consider-options/article_e28ecef6-c55f-4df9-8e35-7dcce3920c86.html)
[7] [https://www.mcall.com](https://www.mcall.com/2021/05/21/your-view-by-large-south-whitehall-landowner-the-township-can-balance-growth-and-open-space-preservation/)
[8] [https://www.facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/BoKoltnowWFMZ/videos/looking-at-the-barn-is-a-view-back-in-time-250-years-agoand-time-will-tell-if-th/1291922142786166/)