America250: Private Guided Tour of the Bachmann Publick House in Easton

Our exploration of our local historic taverns' roles in the Revolutionary War continues with this very special event as we take a guided private tour of the Bachmann Publick House, now a museum, in downtown Easton.

Built in 1753 by Jacob and Katrina Bachmann, the Bachmann Publick House is Easton's oldest standing building and likely the first stone building built in the town. About 80% of the current structure is thought to be original.

George Taylor, the Lehigh Valley's only signer of the Declaration of Independence, owned the tavern briefly during the 1760s, when the tavern would have served as a courthouse, until the original Northampton County Courthouse was completed in 1766. Taylor was a justice of the peace in Northampton County during that time.

In the 1770s, the Bachmann Publick House was a hub of organizing activities for supporters of the rebel cause with local patriots Jacob Abols and Robert Levers holding strategy sessions there. At least four signers of the Declaration of Independence stayed at the Bachmann Publick House, including John Adams, William Ellery and William Whipple, in addition to George Taylor.

The museum now features an immersive exhibition titled "General Happiness of the People: Easton as a Revolutionary Capital." From the website:

"Through guided tours, projections, soundscapes, and replica artifacts, the exhibition brings the 1753 Bachmann Publick House to life as a vibrant eighteenth-century community space where neighbors gathered, news spread, and the American Revolution took shape.

The exhibition explores Pennsylvania’s early constitutional ideal of ensuring the “general happiness of the people” through the lived experiences of Northampton County residents during the eighteenth century. In the building’s historic 1753 courtroom, visitors encounter stories of people who came seeking justice, revealing how law, daily life, and governance were deeply connected.

General Happiness of the People also broadens the Revolutionary narrative by highlighting voices often left out of traditional histories, including women, laboring people, pacifists, loyalists, and enslaved individuals. Together, these stories offer a fuller, more human portrait of Easton and Northampton County at the nation’s founding."

The tour will be conducted by a historical interpreter and should take about an hour. They allow up to 15 people for private tours so that is the maximum sign-ups allowed for the meetup. We do have to pay for this so there is $10 sign-up fee to attend. If you don't wish to sign up via meetup, please contact me for alternate arrangements. You will need to pay in advance though, I'm not saving anyone a seat on the promise that you'll pay me when you get there.

As this is no longer a working tavern and hasn't been since the 1970s, no food or drink will be served. However, we'll repair to Pearly Baker's Ale House for lunch after the tour.

See you there!