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

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!