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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Celebrating freedom

Published July 13. 2022 10:33AM
by REBEKAH HAWK Special to The Press

Family, friends and neighbors celebrated freedom July 4 at the George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua, with musical performances, historical re-enactments and activities for all ages.

Previously the home of George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the GTH Association uses the house and property to put on several events throughout the year, usually with a historical twist.

During the Fourth of July event, the Bachmann Players theater group gave families the opportunity to learn and look at the Revolutionary War from a slightly different perspective. The reading of the Declaration of Independence, the changing of the flag by the American Legion’s honor guard and a mock military battle also took place.

“We want to emphasize bringing people together,” said Christopher Black, a veteran stage actor who spent more than a decade as a member of the former Jean Cocteau Repertory in New York and offers artistic guidance to the Bachmann Players.

Black portrayed Robert Levers, who read the Declaration in 1776. Black interacted with audience members when he asked all to listen and repeat, “We pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

“The Bachmann Players are very authentic. They do a very good job, and they keep it real,” said Terry Kranzley, commander of the honor guard. “We are here in honor of every military person who has sacrificed [his or her] life for this country.”

Colonial characters provided a glimpse into the lives of a Revolutionary War soldier and other citizens of that time period. There were colonial toys for children to play with, and tours were offered by Christine Roca, of South Whitehall Township, who portrayed Ann Taylor, George Taylor’s wife. Roca is a member of the Bachmann Players.

After touring the main parlor, kitchen and bedrooms with replicas of furniture of the day, guests saw the restoration that will be done on the original kitchen.

“A [Native American] cemetery is not far away,” said Roca, who mentioned some unexplained happenings have taken place at the historical mansion.

Cindy Algard, of Whitehall, said she comes to visit these events with her granddaughter.

“We do a lot of genealogy and appreciate everything everyone does to educate us at these events,” Algard said. “My relatives were in the Revolutionary War, and I like to think of where they were at that time.”

Another event at the GTH is a paranormal investigation, which will be 6 p.m. July 30-1 a.m. July 31 and is hosted by Interstate Paranormal Research. Preregistration is required.

PRESS PHOTOS BY REBEKAH HAWK Marianne and Tom Tucker, contemporary and traditional folk music players, perform songs from the 18th century during the Fourth of July event at the George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua.
Colonial re-enactors portray Union soldiers and stand in uniform while holding the American flag. At right flies the Cowpens/3rd Maryland patterned flag, which was used during the Revolutionary War period.
PRESS PHOTOS BY REBEKAH HAWK Ryan Strawn, of Bethlehem, participates as a colonial actor with the Bachmann Players during a Fourth of July event at the George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua. Strawn said he is portraying his “six-times-over great-great-grandfather Silas Hart, who fought in the Civil War.”
Gathering for a photo are Judy Burton, with the Bachmann Players; Catasauqua Borough Mayor Barbara Schlegel; Zachary Langley, of Fogelsville; Sheila Martin, of Bethlehem; Robert Martin, vice president of the GTH Association; Angela Steltz, of Topton; Dorothy Everly, of Catasauqua; Darcy Goldberg, of Northampton; Candace Maxwell, of North Catasauqua, treasurer and special events coordinator of the GTH Association; Christine Roca, of South Whitehall Township; J. Maverick McCollum, of Northampton; and Jason Kern, of Northampton, GTH Association president.
Michael Hambel, of Clifton, N.J.; Lynn Malanczuk, of Mays Landing, N.J.; Dianne Hambel-Hafer, of Laurel Springs, N.J.; Eric Hafer, of Laurel Springs, N.J.; Lois Hambel, of Breinigsville; and George Hambel, of Breinigsville, get together for a family photo during the event.