EASTON, Pa. — Easton will celebrate its station as one of the three locations where the Declaration of Independence was read 247 years ago this Sunday with the return of Heritage Day.
Paying homage to the past and the “original spirit of independence” alongside the “enduring legacy,” Heritage Day will offer residents and visitors a free, full-day family festival featuring local history, reenactment events, activities for children, musical performances and more.
- Easton's Heritage Day is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, commemorating the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the city 247 years ago
- Reenactor Christopher Black, playing patriot Robert Levers, will read the Declaration at noon
- Other reenactors, craftspeople, and numerous free family-friendly events will be featured throughout the day, highlighting the rich history of the area and its people
Held by the Greater Easton Development Partnership, the event commemorates Easton’s position as one of the three cities to hold a reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon on July 8, 1776.
“Ever since that monumental event, Easton has embraced the principles of freedom as a city where pioneering thoughts and diverse beliefs are welcome, where unique individuals can bring their dreams to life in word and action,” the Heritage Day website reads.
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said he is looking forward to an entertaining day, including his favorite event, the reading of the Declaration by Christopher Black, portraying patriot Robert Levers, who originally read the document to the people of Easton.
“I think there's something for everyone. It's definitely family-oriented event, and even if you're not a lover of history, you still have to appreciate the passion that that these reenactors have."Greater Easton Development Partnership Director of Special Events and Promotions Marcy McKinney
“The reading of the declaration is really my number one priority," Panto said. "I'm always here for that, and then after that is all the historic reenactments, the reenactors are great."
Marcy McKinney, director of Special Events and Promotions at Greater Easton Development Partnership, agreed that Black’s performance is not to be missed.
“He does such a phenomenal job, and there's such passion when he does it,” McKinney said.
“It's a very emotional moment to hear him recite that. It's a neat experience, if you've never been a part of it or seen it. And, you know, the whole day revolves around that.”
Of course, there’s so much more for the public to enjoy on Heritage Day, McKinney said.
“I think there's something for everyone," she said. "It's definitely family-oriented event, and even if you're not a lover of history, you still have to appreciate the passion that that these reenactors have.”
McKinney said the re-enactors and other participants always are happy to answer questions and discuss history with visitors.
Just remember, Heritage Day is a popular event, so plan to park ahead of time. The city will offer $10 flat-rate parking in the Fourth Street Garage and the Third Street Garage all day. Metered parking on the streets will be very limited, given street closures for Heritage Day.
After a few years of helping hold the big day, McKinney said she still is excited to see it all come to fruition, with a diverse community celebrating a rich history.
“And you know, that's one of the great things about those community events, it's seeing people coming together and enjoying themselves,” McKinney said.
Make sure to get ready for the fireworks, which will go off in Hackett Park at 9:30 p.m.
Music, dancing, entertainment for all
Festivities kick off at Centre Square and North Third Street’s Heritage Stage with a pre-show set for 11:30 a.m., followed by the parade from Bachmann Publick House to the stage at 11:55 a.m.
At noon, the Heritage Stage will hold a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Following the hallmark event of the day, The SwingTime Dolls will hit the stage at 12:45 p.m., followed by the Antebellum Marine Band at 1:45 p.m., the Lenape Drum Circle at 3 p.m. and the Silas Powell Band at 4 p.m.
Over at the Star Spangled Stage, the Silas Powell Band will play at 12:30 p.m., followed by Bev Conklin and the BC Combo at 3 p.m., and A Few Good Men at 6 p.m.
Take a walk over to the Dance Stage on the 300 block of Northampton Street to see a variety of cultural dance performances, including Middle Eastern and belly dancing by Serayah Satin at 12:30 p.m., Latin and Salsa dancing by ELY DANCE at 1:15 p.m., Indian and Bollywood dancing at 2 p.m., Lebanese dancing at 2:45 p.m., Easton’s African Student Association at 3:30 p.m., and O’Grady Quinlan Academy Irish dancing at 4:15 p.m.
Colonial magician Levram the Great will make an appearance at Centre Square’s Crayola Quad at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Local author Bruce Fackenthal also will be at the Crayola Quad at 12:30 and 2 p.m.
Chainsaw carver Sawptician will be carving up some artwork at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. on North Third Street, with the carvings for sale immediately after completion.
Even more family-friendly events will be held throughout the day, including a Lenape Nation station featuring traditional games such as Jackstraws, Mamantickan and Hoop and Stick, with children able to learn how to make a hoop stick.
Over at the D&L Canal Museum, there will be hands-on activities, 19th century toys, a giant puzzle and more.
On the 300 block of Northampton Street, the Sigal Museum will showcase crafts including clothespin dolls, story stones and miniature flags.
And for those who have a soft spot for cute animals, check out Steinmetz Family Farm for their GOAT goats.
Historic tours take you back to the past
Historical tours will be available throughout the day, including a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Easton with state Rep. Bob Freeman scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m., starting at the Centre Square Information Tent.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Sigal Museum will be open to visitors for $5, or $10 for a wristband allowing access to all Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Sites, including 1753 Bachmann Publick House, the Jacob Nicholas House, the Mixsell Illick House, and the Kressler Garden.
Speaking of the 1753 Bachmann PublickHouse, the stone tavern, built 270 years ago by Jacob and Katrina Bachmann, which sits at Second Street and Northampton Streets, will be open for tours from 1 to 6 p.m.
The property, which became the first site of the first courtroom in Northampton County, once served as a meeting spot for local politicians to exchange news and conduct meetings. It also welcomed noteworthy dignitaries including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Black, of the Bachmann Players, will be on the scene playing John Adams, who will discuss the revolutionary politics of 1776 at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Over at Fourth and Ferry Streets, the Mixsell-Illick House — once the headquarters for the NCHGS — visitors can learn the history of sisters Emilie Mixsell Lalor and Mary Mixsell, who gifted the building to the society with their grandfather’s Victorian residence, from 1 to 4 p.m.
One of the last surviving structures from the Federal Period, the Job Nicholas House retains its original stone entryway, and its notoriety as a home for working class families since its construction. Tours will run from 1 to 4 p.m.
Historic churches of Easton
The First United Church of Christ, at 229 Church St., took more than 30 years of work and effort by the German Reformed congregation to complete.
Even before the establishment of Easton, from 1745-50, the congregation was organized in the Forks of the Delaware region. Guests can take a tour from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church at 234 Spring Garden St., which was consecrated in 1874 and served as a brilliant display of artistic installations using ecclesiastical symbolism and designs in the early 20th century, is well-renowned as Easton’s most beautifully decorated church.
Guests can swing by and learn about the stained-glass windows, the Mercer tile floors laden with ancient symbols, an ironwork rood screen for spiritual journeys, and an array of incredible work from the D’Ascenzo Studios of Philadelphia. Tours run from noon to 4 p.m.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 330 Ferry St., organized in 1740 by early German settlers, have hosted worshippers in the present building since 1832.
Tours will be given in the mystic Grave Cellar, the Gallery will present a showing of political cartoons by the Easton Times’ Stewart Parnell Lewis spanning from the 1910 through the 1930s, an archival photographic display will be held in the Chapel, and visitors can learn the stories of St. John’s Gospel, which are etched into the windows of the Worship space.
Tours will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
See the past come to life
Heritage Day wouldn’t be the same without a visceral trek through the past, and the chance to witness traditional craftsmanship that produced glass, artwork, and fabrics in the past.
Visitors will be able to watch and learn through demonstrations on blacksmithing, flax-linen making, glass blowing, quill and brush use, and more.
Ever heard of a limner? Put simply, they’re artists — people who describe or depict things via painting or drawing.
Heritage Day will feature a colonial-era limner, the type well-known to travel the countryside in search of commission work, in addition to trading their services by painting signs or houses.
Easton’s resident limner will demonstrate writing and drawing using 18th century tools, including quill and ink, port-de-crayon and chalk and charcoal, in addition to small watercolor landscapes.
Local fiber arts group Second Saturday Spinners also will be on the scene, featuring a community of spinners, knitters and weavers looking to share their knowledge of the art.
Members new and old will demonstrate the still-relevant art of spinning in Easton, featuring a full roster of talented craftspeople.
Throughout the city, you can expect to see plenty of reenactors and groups throughout the day, including the 109th Infantry, the 28th Division; the 153rd Pennsylvania; the 1st Brigade 50th Armor Division; the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment; the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion; the 3rd regiment United States Colored Troops; the 9th Division; the Army Ground Forces Association; the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania; and the 1st Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers (Loyalists); Native Living History by Drew Shuptar Rayvis: Eight Coats, Seven Shirts, Fifteen Fathom Wampum: Early Colonial Settlement and the First Deeds (1650-1690); the Northampton County Historical Impression; and Ulysses S. Grant.
Visitors also can enjoy Songs and Stories of Old Canal Days with Matt Dodd, who, dressed in period clothing, will take listeners back in time to experience the life of men, women, and children who ran the boats and tended the mules on the old canals, and the tales of the lock tenders who served dawn to dawn at the canal locks.
Dodd has collected a variety of songs written by these people, and using background stories — some with a touch of humor, others more serious — he puts those songs in the context of the times via acoustic guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin.
