The History of The Sun Inn of Bethlehem
his
handsome gem of 18th century Moravian architecture capped with its
distinctive mansard tile roof originally marked the northern edge of the
town—a visible and welcoming sight from all directions.
The Inn was known throughout the American colonies for its commitment to gracious service, fine food and wines, and its comfortable suites of rooms.
“It is doubtful whether another house of entertainment in the country can lay claim to having sheltered under its roof so many of the leading patriots, statesmen and military chieftains of the War of American Independence as the time-honored Sun Inn at Bethlehem.”
—William C. Reichel, The Old Moravian Sun Inn, 1873
Some of Our Famous Guests:
- General George & Martha Washington
- General John Sullivan
- General John Armstrong
- General Nathanial Green
- General Marquis de Lafayette
- General Count Casimir Pulaski
- Surgeon General John Warren
- Dr. William Shippen
- Colonel Ethan Allen
- Governor John Penn
- Governor Richard Penn
- John Adams
- Samuel Adams
- John Hancock
- Richard Henry Lee
- Benjamin Harrison
- Governor Morris
- David Rittenhouse
Notable Dates In Our History
- 1758 ~ Building of the Sun Inn began
- 1760 ~ First Guests Welcomed
- 1777 ~ Meeting of the leading members of the Continental Congress. Signed the order of Protection.
- 1792 ~ A deputation of Six Nation Indians, fifty-one chiefs and warriors, including Red Jacket, the Corn Planter and Osiquette, lodged at the Inn on the way to Philadelphia to meet General Washington.
- 1799 ~ Fries Rebellion at the Sun Inn
- 1803 ~ Commodore Berry of the ship United States stayed at the Inn.
- 1826 ~ A full story is added to the Inn
- 1865 ~ November 3, a gala dinner for the honorable Asa Packer upon his announcement of the founding of Lehigh University.
- 1892 ~ Memorial Tablet placed on the occasion of the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration of the settlement of Bethlehem.
- 1910 ~ Brother Albrecht's Secret Chamber: A Legend of the Ancient Moravian Sun Inn at Bethlehem Pennsylvania and What Came of It was published.
- 1972 ~ Founding of the Sun Inn Preservation Association to restore the Inn.
- 1982 ~ The restored Sun Inn is opened.