Published June 12. 2026 10:19AM
The South Whitehall Township Historical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution — Valley Forge Chapter commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Lehigh Valley’s vote for independence on May 27.
On May 27, 1776, about 900 “Associators,” as local militia members were known, assembled at Lorentz Guth’s farm, near what is now Covered Bridge Park.
The men came from townships throughout the region to support the creation of a new Pennsylvania government that favored independence.
The Guth’s Farm gathering was followed by a May 30, 1776, meeting of township representatives in Easton, where delegates passed a resolution supporting new governmental structures in Pennsylvania.
The events helped set the stage for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
The local commemoration was organized after representatives of historical societies and organizations attending the history expo at the Lehigh County Heritage Museum realized no formal event had been planned to mark the anniversary.
Participants included representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution, South Whitehall Township Historical Society, Lower Macungie Township Historical Society and reenactors from the George Taylor House.
Descendants of the Guth family and other local families also participated.
Chris Peischl and Monica Hodges, co-organizers of the South Whitehall Township Historical Society, and David Hunsicker, America 250 chair and second vice president of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Lehigh Valley’s vote for independence.
David Hunsicker and Fadia Halma, adviser for America 250 PA for Lehigh County, at the gathering
PRESS PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HIRSCHRick Guth and Jason Kern from the George Taylor House with Robert Maletsky and David Hunsicker stand proud.
A small group gathers at Covered Bridge Park, with the historic Lorentz Guth home in the background, including several Guth family descendants.
