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A Night at the Sun Inn for George Washington
July 17th, 2020 |
Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, future president George Washington’s overnight stay at the Sun Inn holds a special place in local history. Built in 1758 by the Moravian Congregation, Bethlehem’s Sun Inn became well known in Colonial America for its excellent food, great hospitality, and comfortable and clean accommodations. During the revolutionary years, it hosted a myriad of distinguished guests that no doubt increased its prestige – these guests included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, Ethan Allan, and Lady Martha Washington. Allegedly, Founding Father John Hancock called it “the best inn I ever saw.” Another traveler praised it by saying “it was not inferior to the best large inns of England.”
After meeting in Philadelphia for a conference with Comte de Rochambeau, the commander of French forces in the colonies, George Washington embarked on a treacherous journey north to Newburgh, New York, where he had stationed his troops. Although his victory over the British at Yorktown in October 1781 had effectively ended all fighting, Washington still faced the threat of British loyalists called Tories eager to enact revenge. Accompanied by two aides, Washington cautiously made his way up north.
According to Moravian diaries and Washington’s expense account book, his route included a stop at the Sun Inn on July 25, 1782. His fellow military officers such as Marquis de Chastellux had recommended the Sun Inn to him. In addition, Washington might have felt the need to thank the Moravians for their support during the war. Despite calling his arrival “unexpected,” the Moravians did everything to impress. The Moravian Trombone Choir, still active to this day, entertained him with a concert. Later that evening, he attended a worship service. At some point, the congregation also gave him a tour of the Single Brethren’s House, which served for periods from 1776 to 1778 as the General Hospital for Washington’s Continental Army. In honor of his visit, one of the main chambers has been cordoned off and named the Washington Room.
The greatest mystery surrounding Washington’s visit lies at Burnside Plantation. Supposedly, Washington left his personal papers and possessions at the farmstead either as early as 1777 or during his 1782 visit. The Moravians subsequently stored his possessions in a brick kiln guarded by 40 soldiers. However, recent excavation efforts have been unsuccessful in locating the kiln. Regardless, Washington’s stay at the Sun Inn remains a source of local pride and demonstrates the centrality of Bethlehem to the Revolution. Not only did the town care for thousands of wounded soldiers, but it was also suggested as the quarters for Washington’s army before he decided on Valley Forge.
While the kiln remains lost to history, contemporary historians still retain one relic from the town’s epic past. Before Washington departed Bethlehem on July 26, 1782, Anna Rosina Kliest, who later married Moravian bishop John Gambold, requested a lock of his hair. Forever known as a gracious man, Washington gladly gave it to her. Today, the Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth holds the lock in its collection at the Whitefield House. Although it may seem insignificant, it remains a special reminder of a grand and formative era in the history of Bethlehem.
Sources:
Hirsh, Mike. “George Washington slept here! Pennsylvania Places to Explore First President’s Legacy,” Morning Call, February 18, 2018.
“History Headlines: George Washington slept here,” 69 News, February 23, 2016.
Kaufman, Jarrod. “Dining Back in Time,” Brown and White 97, no. 35, March 9, 1990.
Khawam, Jennifer. “Washington Slept Here!” Bethlehem Public Library, April 3, 2018.
“Moravian Sun Inn,” National Park Service.
Parrish, Kathleen. “Memorial Service Planned in Honor of Washington,” Morning Call, December 14, 1999.
Alex Cross is the summer 2020 exhibitions and research intern at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and will pursue a master’s degree in history at Lehigh University in August.
