EASTON, Pa. — Despite an onslaught of rain, patriots of Easton came together in Centre Square Sunday to celebrate Heritage Day with an inspired reading of the Declaration of Independence.
A hallmark of the city’s annual celebration honoring Robert Levers’s reading of the Declaration on July 8, 1776, Easton was one of only three municipalities to feature a public announcement of the historic document, nodding to the extensive ties Easton has built with American history overall.
- Despite heavy rainfall, Easton managed to hold its historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at Centre Square for Heritage Day on Sunday
- Bachmann Player Christopher Black gave an inspired performance of patriot Robert Levers reading the document to a crowd of enthused Eastonians
- While rainfall and thunderstorms may have stifled some of the festivities, many people said they were happy to see the historical reenactment in person
But before Levers – played by Christopher Black – was able to rouse the spirits of the American people, the British took to the stage in Centre Square, with New Jersey Governor William Franklin – played by Christopher Taverner – warning the crowd of a rebellion amongst some citizens, and the punishment which would await those who opposed the rule of King George III.
“You first study the Declaration, and the Declaration’s language is specific and unique enough. And of course, some of the best minds in the 1700s worked on it – think about Franklin and Jefferson and Adams. So, you infuse that language in your brain, and you begin to get an idea of what these people really meant and the intentions, and the power of that intention is what really leads to interpretation."Bachmann Players Artistic Director Christopher Black
“I have lived in Easton for many years, and the faces I see in this crowd are those of my friends and neighbors. I know many of you are in favor of independence, but I beg you to take time and reflect,” Taverner-as-Franklin said.
“Have we forgotten the ravages of the French and Indian War only 20 years ago? Who can forget the refugees streaming from the north and east and into Bethlehem, farmers and their families, women, and children, shoeless and barely clothed? It's just all a mere 20 years ago.”
Taverner continued, demonizing the Boston radicals who had thrown the East India Company’s stock of tea into the harbor, claiming “they have also put us in jeopardy of being branded as traders to the king and country we love.”
However, the spirits of the people were quite clear as they booed Taverner-as-Franklin when he concluded his speech with “God save the king.”
Leading up to the arrival of Black-as-Levers, the Bachmann Players read the news of the day – from 1776, of course – with one citizen encouraging allegiance to the king, followed by activist Thomas Paine reading portions of his pamphlet, “Common Sense.”
“Some writers have so confused society with government as to leave little or no distinction between them, whereas they are not only different, but they have different origins,” Bachmann Player Charles Adami-as-Paine said.
“Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness. The former promotes our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages communication, the other enforces our differences. The first is a patron, the last, a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing. But government, even at its best state is but a necessary evil, in its worst state and intolerable one.”
Then came the radicals from the Bachmann Publick House, including the notorious Robert Levers, marching to Centre Square to address the masses.
While mother nature shed a cloudburst on the cusp of Black-as-Levers’s reading, the patriot still drew the attention of the whole crowd – under a few tents – and inspired them with a passionate reading calling for rebellion.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do,” Black-as-Levers read to the applause of the crowd.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
While many visitors took shelter following the reading — with a number swinging by Steinmetz Family Farm's tent to snuggle with baby goats — a few braved the precipitation to check out some of the other featured events, including chainsaw carver Sawptician.
Black, who serves as the artistic director of the Bachmann Players, has earned respect and praise for his performance of Levers' reading, which he says comes from a true appreciation of the document and its sentiments.
“You first study the Declaration, and the Declaration’s language is specific and unique enough. And of course, some of the best minds in the 1700s worked on it – think about Franklin and Jefferson and Adams. So, you infuse that that language in your brain, and you begin to get an idea of what these people really meant and the intentions, and the power of that intention is what really leads to interpretation,” Black said.
When asked about the reaction he inspires among Eastonians and visitors from across the country, Black noted he finds the performance to be a fabulous way to educate the public with an entertaining angle.
“In my private mind, that goes back to the Greek plays or the passion plays, because theater is centuries old, and it's connection to the community is something that is sort of permanent and doesn't change. So to be able to bring this kind of passion about like the beginning of the country to crowds of hundreds of people that we can all share in the history, it is a fabulous experience,” Black said.
Black also tipped his proverbial hat to the Bachmann Players as well as the event organizers – including the Greater Easton Development Partnership – for providing both sides of the discussion by featuring the opinions of the British, and the loyalists to the crowd, showing that not everything in history was as we might imagine.
Taverner, who was inspired by visits to historical reenactments during his time at Easton Area Middle School, said one of the biggest draws to participate in Heritage Day – even as an enemy – is the sense of community it inspires.
“I can say this about a lot of different events downtown, but I always love when you can gather up a crowd and have everybody sort of enjoy living in the community. That's my favorite with Heritage Day and things like Musikfest in Bethlehem, I always like an event where you can fill public spaces in like Easton and the Lehigh Valley, and they feel really lived in,” Taverner said.
While the weather may have driven away many visitors, a few diehard patriots remained at the scene to see if the rain abated, waiting for a chance to hear the Declaration again, and to enjoy the other festivities of the day honoring their historic city and its vibrant history.
“My buddy and I, Lee Brodt, we come down here every year to watch the reading the Declaration. We've been doing this for a long time, at least 20 years, maybe even longer. And watch the shows. And yeah, we'll stay for the fireworks,” John Miski, an Easton resident for over 70 years, said. “It’s a great day to hang out, and we just like the community.”
Due to inclement weather, the city opted to shut down Heritage Day festivities early. Fireworks have been rescheduled for Sunday, June 16.
