America250PA Lehigh County

Looking for volunteers for Saturday, June 13th at America250PA Lehigh County booth at Allentown's Blues, Brews and BBQ. Please consider volunteering.

America250PA Lehigh County - Blues, Brews, BBQ America250PA Lehigh County is looking for volunteers to help at our exhibit on June 13th at the Blues, Brews, BBQ Festival on Hamilton Street, Allentown. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

COMMEMORATE THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY'S VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE
See and Hear a Reenactment of This Historic Local Event on Wednesday, May 27 @ 4 pm ET
At 4:00 PM today, representatives from the Valley Forge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the South Whitehall Township and Lower Macungie Township historical societies, reenactors from the George Taylor House, descendants of the Guth family, and local history enthusiasts will gather at Covered Bridge Park (2465 Wehr Mill Rd, Allentown) to publicly read and commemorate the 250th anniversary petitions and resolutions from May 1776 that called for a new Pennsylvania government favoring independence, honoring the Lehigh Valley’s early role in the movement toward American independence.



On May 27, 1776, nine hundred "Associators," as local militia were called then, assembled at Lorenz Guth's farm in what is now South Whitehall Township. These men gathered from all the local townships in the area and rallied for a new Pennsylvania government that would favor independence. This was followed by a meeting of the elected representatives of the county's Committee for Observation and Inspection from all the townships on May 30th in Easton, where they also passed a resolution to establish a new government, clearing the way toward Independence.



The event will take place in Covered Bridge Park, adjacent to the Guth farm, where the original gathering occurred. The program will include a short historical overview and reading of the local petitions and resolutions.



Representatives of local historical societies and organizations attending the History Expo at the Lehigh County Heritage Museum this past Saturday realized there was no formal commemoration of this important local historical event. This spontaneous commemoration was hastily organized so that the moment would not be missed.



All local residents who love history are invited to attend and mark the important role that our local communities played in the Revolution!



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WHO: Valley Forge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; South Whitehall Township Historical Society; Lower Macungie Township Historical Society; reenactors and living historians from the George Taylor House; descendants of families involved in 1776; local history enthusiasts and the public.



WHAT: 250th Anniversary Reading — Local Petitions & Resolutions for a New Pennsylvania Government

A public reading commemorating the May 27, 1776 gathering at Lorenz Guth’s farm and subsequent township resolutions that advanced the cause of independence; organizers will read the original local petitions and resolutions calling for a new Pennsylvania government favorable to independence.



WHEN: Today, Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — Assemble at 4:00 PM; ceremony to follow.



WHERE: Covered Bridge Park (adjacent to the Guth farm); 2479 Wehr Mill Rd, Allentown, PA 18104



VISUALS/ASSETS: Period reenactors, readings of 1776 documents, descendants, group photos. Interview opportunities available on request.



MEDIA RSVP / ACCESS: Media may attend and film; please RSVP for interview scheduling.

Rain did not stop our history lovers today at the History Expo at the Lehigh County Heritage Museum! Great day for all our partners for America250PA Lehigh County.
Jon Provost from Lassie too!

We are so excited to see the Lehigh County America250PA Treasure Trail spots. Make sure to visit soon.