Why The Bachmann Publick House Should Be Preserved

As both The Express Times and Morning Call reported last week, Northampton Couny Council has postponed acting on a resolution under which the county would commit $520,000, over four years, to revitalize Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House. Lafayette College is also willing to commit $320,000, but the vote has been postponed. Ostensibly, this is so the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society can consider running the place. In reality, there may not have been five votes to move ahead.

According to Finance chair Ron Angle, more than the historic landmark is being preserved. Two other buildings are included, including a a storefront that sells Bachmann trinkets and another that apparently houses a massage parlor. Angle thinks these nonhistoric properties should be sold.

But the county's first courthouse should be preserved. Easton Mayor Sal Panto, himself a former history teacher, has previously said, "That building is Northampton County and I love it. ... Let's try this for the sake of history." Lafayette's President, Dr. Dan Weiss, has submitted his own business plan. Part of that plan explains why the Bachmann matters, and I want to share it with you.

The General Significance and Meaning of the (1753) Bachmann Publick House

It is important to begin to understand the significance and meaning of the Bachmann Publick House as a valuable public cultural resource. These facets are the following on local/regional, state and national/international levels:

Local/Regional

* The Bachmann Publick House is the only colonial period (up to 1776) tavern to survive in the Easton area, along with a very limited inventory of similar tavern buldings in what was once Northampton County (Now the counties of Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Schuylkill, Monroe, Pike, Luzerne, Columbia, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Sullivan, Lycoming, Bradford, Susquehanna and Wayne). Of this limited inventory, the 1753 Bachmann (Tavern) retains the highest percentage of its original historic building fabric. By comparison, the historic Sun Inn of Bethlehem is basically a stone shell with new reconstructed historic millwork.

* The Bachmann Public House was the location of the first Northampton Court of Sessions and county meetings in 1754. These functions were for the area that now includes all of twelve and parts of three counties, forming the Northeast Region of Pennsylvania of today.

Statewide

• It appears that the well preserved Bachmann Publick House is one of possibly only six surviving historic building/locations of Colonial Period (1640 to 1776)county courthouses in the state of Pennsylvania, today.

National/International

• The Bachmann Public House was a significant quasi-govemment building during the October 1758 Easton Treaty conference between British officials, the colonial government of Pennsylvania and Native American tribal nations including the Lenni-Lenape, the Six-Nations of the Iroquois, Nanticoke, Shawnee, Conoy, and others. This was one of the largest gatherings of Native American representatives during the colonial period, and is described by Walter R. Borneman in "The French and Indian War: Deciding the Fate of North America" (published in 2006)as follows:

" The outcome of the conference in Easton was twofold. First, the Iroquois demanded that the Pennsylvanians renounce their purchases, resulting from the Albany Congress, of all lands west of the Alleghenies. These included country around the forks of the Ohio long claimed by the Iroquois through their influence over the Ohio Indians. Pennsylvania's agent agreed, and their acquiescence effectively recognized Iroquois hegemony over the other nations in the region, particularly as the lands were symbolically returned to the Iroquois, not the Ohio Indians.

Second, however, the Delaware and Ohio Indians were appeased by a promise from Governor William Denny of Pennsylvania that despite whatever influence the Iroquois might have over them generally, Pennsylvania would continue to deal directly with them on matters of local concern. These were essentially a respect for past treaty reservations and a resumption of trade once the French were expelled.

This left all parties with most of what they wanted. The Iroquois had reasserted their dominance over the Ohio Indians in external affairs, the Ohio Indians and eastern Delawares had received certain assurances of territorial integrity from the Pennsylvanians; and the Pennsylvanians had won the Ohio Indians and eastern Delawares back into the fold of British influence.

Arguably the most important Indian conclave in Pennsylvania's history, the Treaty of Easton was formalized on October 25,1758. When word of it spread westward and reached Fort Duquesne, those Ohio Indians who had been allies of the French for more than three years quickly melted away into the forest. Suffering from lack of supplies and now deserted by their Indian allies, the remaining French soldiers at Fort Duquesne were feeling increasingly isolated and alone as General Forbes, still in agonizing pain from his illness, considered his next move."

This 1758 Treaty of Easton laid the political foundation and set into motion events that lead to France loosing its hold on Western Pennsylvania and throughout the upper Midwest. This assured that British colonial interests would be dominant in North America, and insured that the legal traditions of Britain would influence the basis of more democratic laws for the future United States of America and Canada. During this 1758 conference the Bachmann Public House would have been a place of numerous formal and informal meetings among the most prominent colonial era leaders of Pennsylvania and the region, and is the best preserved building, associated with this important event, to remain today.

• The Revolutionary War era saw the Bachmann Publick House as one of the more important public taverns in Easton. It was the site of meetings and discussions involving prominent individuals from 1776 to 1783. Gen. John Sullivan and other officers of the Continental Army would have met here. Most importantly Thomas Paine stayed in Easton to meet with at least six chiefs from the various Iroquois tribes for several days in late January 1777. Paine possibly participated in social interactions with local, state and continental leaders at the Bachmann Publick House, as well as at other, now gone, public taverns, where the participants were lodged, ate, drank and participated in important discourse regarding the activities, policies and philosophy of the American Revolutionary cause and struggle.

In a basic popular sense, what does the Bachmann Publick House mean to the general public and how could it function as a public facility? In reflection, Mr. Gary Evans of the working committee offered this following encompassing statement. Mr. Evans observed that the Bachmann Publick House should be, "A place to discuss the democratic values we cherish". There is high value in realizing what this statement could mean relative to the Bachmann Publick House's renewed actual programs and activities.

Lafayette College Proposes Bachmann Bail Out

Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton's oldest building, one-time tavern and home to Northampton County's first courtroom, has fallen upon hard times, just like Easton herself. Easton Heritage Alliance, the building's owner, had no money to repay a $500,000 county loan, and has conveyed the property to the Northampton County General Purpose Authority.

Last night, Dr. Dan Weiss, president of Lafayette College, presented a plan to Northampton County Council that just might save the building. Before an audience of about seventy people, he proposed a four-year joint venture including the county, Easton, the college and the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.

Under this proposal, the college would kick in around $80,000 per year to pay for a curator. The county would pick up the remaining yearly costs, estimated at around $125,000 per year. Although it is cash poor, Easton would agree to supply labor for any maintenance work. Finally, the Historical Society would supply artifacts for exhibit.

The building would derive revenue from admission fees ($10,825), rentals for small groups ($2,500) and special events ($2,000). Once it is up and running, grants might be available that would exceed the $15,000 in projected yearly gross revenue.

Eleven people spoke in support of this joint venture, including Colleen Cunningham Lavdar, Executive Director of the Historical Society and Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

Sal reminded council that he taught history for twelve years. "That building is Northampton County and I love it. ... Let's try this for the sake of history." He later noted, "This city has given the county a lot. You keep expanding and expanding and expanding. Right now, we don't have the resources financially. But we have the staff." He pledged city workers to building maintenance. He also pointedly noted, when Ron Angle kept complaining about losing $500,000, "I would dare say we've lost a lot more than you."

Ron also questioned the business plan, which is a tad shy on projected revenue. "If this is a viable business plan, you're missing a few 0s here and there." He noted that Lafayette College is sitting on $780 million in assets and could easily buy the building. But Dr. Weiss quickly reminded Angle, "You must remember this is not Lafayette College's problem. We're willing to take some risk if others are willing to do so."

Although Angle remained dubious, the rest of council seemed to applaud this proposal. Council member Peg Ferraro said, "This gives us some breathing room," and warned against selling to a private investor. "Before you know it, there are nonconforming uses and deed restrictions can be shot down."

Peg is right. This proposal, while not perfect, is a four year experiment in which revenues are likely to increase well beyond the conservative revenues projected. I suspect the county will support this proposal when it is put to a vote. As Easton city councilman Ken Brown noted, "What better way do we have to bring history alive?"

Update: Veteran Morning Call reporter Joe Nixon has a detailed account of last night's Bachmann presentation.

Does the Bachmann Publick House Have a Big Brother?

In late September, a gaggle of Eastonians paraded before county council to complain. Were they concerned about the gang violence? Drugs on the streets? A city falling apart? Nah, their mission was to save Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton's oldest building, tavern and home to Northampton County's first courtroom.

This "living museum" has died. It has long since shut its doors and dismissed its staff. Unable to pay a $500,000 mortgage to the county, Esaton residents tearfully asked for time to develop a business plan.

Sixty days.

"For 1 1/2 years, we have waited. Now at the 12th hour, you come in with a business plan." Everyone kept hinting around about Lafayette College , and the evil Ron Angle pointedly asked whether Lafayette had a check. "You need a big brother at this point, and you don't have one."

That was four months ago, but what the hell.

Big Brother will finally come to county council tonight. According to a letter to the editor conveniently published today, "a plan to reopen the Bachmann as a museum will be presented to Northampton County Council. Dr. Dan Weiss, president of Lafayette College, will tell of the college's involvement."

In the meantime, Abe Atiyeh wants to buy the tavern and lease it to the county for a gazillion dollars a year as a prison treatment center. "It will still be a living museum. We can kill two birds with one stone. I've got shackles and everything," he claims. "We can grab a few inmates or homeless people and put them in the stocks for the kids. Every now and then we can whip one of them and one of the ladies can have a wardrobe malfunction and ... do any of you need any money for office?"

Easton's Bachmann Publick House Slammed by Imperious Ann McHale

Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton's oldest building, one-time tavern and home to Northampton County's first courtroom, has fallen upon hard times, just like Easton herself. Easton Heritage Alliance, the building's owner, had no money to repay a $500,000 county loan.

The deed has been surrendered to the county, and a determined group of Bachmann believers are working on a business plan that will hopefully allow continued use of this historically significant property as living museum. And at a recent budget hearing, the county revealed it intends to fund an estimated $75,000 for repairs, operating expenses and maintenance of this building from some of the anticipated $1.2 million in hotel tax revenues.

Enter the Imperious Ann McHale. She instructed county administrators that hotel taxes can't be used to fund this Easton treasure because it is not a tourist attraction.

Huh?

Somebody better tell George Washington and Ben Franklin, two tourists who spent time there.

Northampton County Picks Up an Old Bar!

You know, Norco Dem boss Joe Long is right.

Too many illegitimate press members are running around. At last night's Northampton County council meeting, newshawks Sarah Cassi of The Express Times and Joe Nixon of The Morning Call, were ready, pens in hand. Even The Bethlehem Press, a weekly, is now regularly sending a freelancer.

To make matters worse, fellow blogger Julian Stolz was somehow able to sneak into the meeting too. He's a Republican! And even though he was wearing a tie with all these goofy elephants, he slipped past the guards.

Bossman Long will definitely be upset to learn that five different media reps, including two goofy bloggers, were among the thirty who attended last night's county council meeting. He might have to issue another "cease and desist" special to county exec John Stoffa.

Last night's meeting included a procession of eight Easton citizens with something on their mind. Gangs? Drugs? Poverty? Floods? Nah. They're intent on saving Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton's oldest building, tavern and home to Northampton County's first courtroom. The Easton Heritage Alliance, which owns the building, has been unable to repay a $500,000 loan from the county. So last night, county council directed its General Purpose Authority to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

Led by Phyllis Johnson, the Bachmann believers repeatedly implored council for time to come up with a business plan that allows the building's continued use as a living museum. Easton mayoral candidate Gary Bertsch was one of these supplicants. "History is one way to turn a city around," he lectured council. Volunteer Tracy Hart worried that the county would somehow turn this historic building into a law office, and said Easton should be more like New Hope. Johnson waved a letter from Lafayette College president Daniel Weiss, in which he promises to be a "convenor of an initiative to prepare a business plan."

As person after person rose to speak, a forlorn Frank Flisser, the county council's clerk, was scribbling away, trying his best to keep up. Looking at Frank, one observer quietly asked, "What's he doing?"

"Writing a suicide note."

Councilman Ron Angle was unswayed by the throng. "For 1 1/2 years, we have waited. Now at the 12th hour, you come in with a business plan." He pointedly asked Johnson whether Lafayette had a check. "You need a big brother at this point, and you don't have one."

Actually, last night's decision to take back the deed has little bearing on any attempt to make a go of Bachmann. As Councilman Lamont McClure advised Johnson and her friends, "Why can't we just take back the deed and let you develop your plan?"

And that's exactly what will happen. The county is protecting its interest while Bachmann supporters develop a plan.

How about a massage parlor?