Newtown marks America's 250th with historic celebration 

Visitors attending Newtown's America 250 celebration on Aug. 8 won't simply be attending another community festival. They'll be walking through nearly 250 years of American history.

Throughout Newtown, historic churches, museums, cemeteries and landmarks will become classrooms as reenactors, historians and volunteers tell the stories behind the places many residents pass every day without realizing their significance.

Hosted by the Newtown Historic Association, Newtown Celebrates America 250 will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring Revolutionary War reenactments, living history presentations, children's activities, tours and exhibits highlighting Newtown's role in the nation's founding and growth.

For Newtown Historic Association honorary lifetime board member and former president Dave Callahan, the free, family-friendly celebration is about making history come alive. 

"We want children to understand the history of America and that it's a big deal to be living in a country that's 250 years old," Callahan said. "Once they see it in living color, it's going to be more meaningful to them than reading about it in a book."

One of the day's signature events will be the reenactment of the Battle at the Bird-in-Hand, recreating a Revolutionary War skirmish that occurred in Newtown. Beginning at approximately 11 a.m. on State Street near Mercer Street, British soldiers and American militiamen will stage a running battle outside the historic Bird-in-Hand building.

The reenactment commemorates the clash in which five American soldiers were killed, making it one of the deadliest Revolutionary War encounters in Newtown.

"The reenactment at the Bird-in-Hand should not be missed," Callahan said. “The building still exists today at 111 S. State St., making it one of a few places where visitors can watch history unfold where it actually happened.”

The full-day celebration also highlights Newtown's important role during the Revolutionary War.

"George Washington spent several days in Newtown before the crossing of the Delaware," Callahan said. “After the victory at Trenton, Washington returned to Newtown, where he established his headquarters in the Harris House and wrote several letters to Congress describing the successful campaign.”

Although the Harris House no longer exists, Callahan said its former location near today's intersection of Sycamore Street and Swamp Road reminds visitors that history happened throughout Newtown.

"Newtown played such a vital role during the Revolutionary War because it was located near Washington's Crossing, and it was located on roads that went to Bristol and Philadelphia," Callahan said. "It was actually a hub during the war, so it was a very important spot."

At First National Bank & Trust, visitors can learn about one of Bucks County's most infamous crimes when Mercer Museum historian Clint Flack discusses the Doan Gang's raid on the county treasury.

Callahan explained that although the original treasury building no longer stands, it was located almost directly across from today's bank.

"The Doan Gang woke up the county treasurer, marched him up the street and forced him to open the treasury building," Callahan said. "When they left Newtown, Bucks County was flat broke because they stole all the money."

Just a short walk away in Newtown Township, the Historic Presbyterian Church offers another chapter of Revolutionary War history.

Following the Battle of Trenton, Hessian soldiers captured by Washington's army were brought to Newtown and imprisoned at the church before being transported to Philadelphia and Lancaster.

"They were held there for about three days," Callahan said.

During the celebration, Hessian reenactors will share the soldiers' experiences while visitors tour both the church sanctuary and its recently restored historic cemetery.

The day begins even earlier at nearby St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where a 9 a.m. service will recreate a Revolutionary-era worship experience using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Later, visitors can explore a British military encampment and speak with reenactors portraying British soldiers about life in the colonies during the war.

While much of the day focuses on America's founding, the celebration also explores Newtown's Civil War history and African American heritage.

At Macedonia Baptist Church, living-history interpreter Shirley Lee Corsey will portray Harriet Tubman during a presentation that examines Tubman's work on the Underground Railroad, her Civil War service and her lasting impact.

Throughout the presentation, visitors may accompany a guide to nearby Lighthouse Hill Cemetery, where a United States Colored Troops reenactor will explain the lives of the African American Civil War veterans buried there.

"People don't realize there were Black soldiers in the Civil War, but we had 12 of them from Newtown," Callahan said. "They're buried in that cemetery."

He believes the cemetery may become one of the day's biggest discoveries.

"I think certain places will surprise people," he said. "Many people don't realize that Lighthouse Hill Cemetery is there."

The Civil War story continues at the historic Newtown Theatre, where visitors can cool off with silent movies before enjoying a performance outside by an authentic Civil War band.

"If people only have a few hours to spend that day," Callahan said, "they should not miss the reenactment at the Bird-in-Hand. They should also see the Harriet Tubman presentation and the Civil War band."

History enthusiasts will also find special exhibits throughout town.

At the Half-Moon Inn, home of the Newtown Historic Association's "History of Newtown" exhibition, Mercer Museum historian Annie Halliday will display artifacts dating to the years when the building operated as an inn under Margaret Thornton.

According to Callahan, those artifacts will include the original tavern license issued by Bucks County, offering visitors a glimpse into everyday life during Newtown's earliest years.

Nearby, the Friends Meetinghouse will welcome visitors with a reenactor portraying renowned Quaker artist Edward Hicks, who co-founded the meeting in 1815.

The Newtown Library Company, founded in 1760 and one of Pennsylvania's oldest libraries, will offer children's activities, story times, historical presentations and self-guided tours. 

The Newtown Fire Association Museum will demonstrate its approximately 200-year-old hand-pumper fire engine, affectionately known as "Old Washy."

"The fire company's museum has a 200-year-old hand pumper wagon," Callahan said. "It's actually going to be pumped for the first time in probably 40 years."

Families can also enjoy an All-American Cookout in Boone Garden, children's colonial crafts hosted by the Washington Crossing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, military drills, a fife and drum corps, and an America 250 coloring contest.

"The DAR has been a big help in this event," Callahan said. "They've partnered with us to help make it happen."

Callahan said organizers intentionally scheduled the celebration in August to avoid competing with July's many Independence Day events.

He hopes everyone leaves this celebration with a new appreciation for the community they call home.

"I hope visitors and residents leave this event with more knowledge of the Revolutionary War and especially what happened in this area," he said. "We're hoping that people who drive by these places all the time will now see their historical significance."

Looking beyond the nation's 250th anniversary, Callahan hopes the celebration inspires curiosity long after the last reenactor leaves town.

For more information about Newtown Celebrates America 250, visit newtownhistoric.org/celebrate-americas-250th/.

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