Hip hip huzzah! After last year’s cancellation, the celebration of Easton, PA’s place in the story of our nation is back on. Join me this weekend to observe my hometown’s observance of the 245th reading of the Declaration of Independence in Centre Square.
On July 8, 1776, Robert Levers read the Declaration outside the Northampton County Courthouse, accompanied by Colonel Peter Kichline and members of his Flying Camp. They would shortly depart for New York and the first battle after declaring independence from Great Britain. Most of them never saw their homes or their families again.
Reenactors will be present throughout the weekend, beginning at the Easton Farmer’s Market along Larry Holmes Drive on Saturday morning, then for the patriotic parade from the Bachmann Publick House to Centre Square on Sunday. Actor Christopher Black of the Bachmann Players will reprise his role as Robert Levers, reading the Declaration from the stage in the “circle,” accompanied by Colonel Kichline and members of his Flying Camp, led by Adam Stephan. The parade will form around 11:45 with the reading at high noon. The Bachmann Players will also perform their “Walking Purchase” play at two; there will be tours of the Bachmann, the DAR Parsons-Taylor House, where George Taylor, Easton’s signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived, as well as the historic First UCC, which became a hospital during the war, the Sigal Museum, and many other venues and activities. Fireworks are at dusk along the riverside.
I hope to welcome many of you to these events. For me personally, it is a thrill to represent my ancestors, who stood on that same spot 245 years ago and listened to the words that would forever change their lives, and the world.
Leave a Reply