“THE BUCKEYE TAVERN FRIES REBELLION 1799: Formerly Shankweiler’s Tavern, this location is one of the meeting places of the Fries Rebellion tax resisters,” begins the newly installed commemorative brass plaque at 3741 Brookside Road, Macungie.

Donated by the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, the 12-inch-square marker continues: “Participants of the rebellion were eventually arrested, tried in federal court and their leader, John Fries, was sentenced to death for treason. President John Adams later pardoned Fries and issued a general amnesty for all involved in the insurrection on May 21, 1800.”

With permission from Buckeye Tavern on Brookside, owner Lauren Kleman, Lower Macungie Township Historical Society board members Richard Gorton and Lee Lichtenwalner installed the marker.

During the fall and winter of 1798-99, auctioneer John Fries and his followers rebelled against a federal property tax imposed by the administration of President John Adams. The insurgents first assembled at the Red Lion Inn in Quakertown, where newly appointed tax assessors were confronted. Meetings also were held at what is now the Buckeye Tavern and the 1760 Pub N Grille in Trexlertown, among other local gathering places.

The rebels later marched to Bethlehem’s Sun Inn, where they secured the release of fellow protesters who were being held there.

No fatalities were reported during the rebellion, which was eventually suppressed by federal troops and militia.

The plaque also notes the building’s more recent history as one of several Lehigh Valley historic sites featured in “The Fries Rebellion,” an award-winning independent film written by Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams that premiered at Wind Creek Bethlehem in August 2024.

The film was produced by the historical society to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

For more information about the Fries Rebellion, visit www.lmthistory.org.