Liberty & Lanterns: An Evening of Food, Stories & Surprises
Join us on June 18 for an evening of history, dining, and good company. This event brings the spirit of the founding era to the table - pairing a three-course dinner with the history of Bethlehem during the American Revolution.
Thank You for Joining Us at Liberty & Lanterns
Thank you to everyone who stepped off the elevator and into 1776 with us for a sold out evening. A special thank you to our partners at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, whose beautiful space and hospitality made the evening possible.
WFMZ caught the spirit of the evening beautifully. Watch their coverage to relive a little bit of the evening.
Liberty & Lanterns: An Evening of Food, Stories & Surprises
Presented in partnership with Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with a unique dining experience at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, the Number 1 Historic Hotel in the nation on June 18 from 6 – 10 PM.
Your evening begins as you check-in by signing your name on an enlarged copy of the “Declaration”. Then take the elevator to 1776, where you will enjoy the ambiance of a Colonial Tavern featuring beer, cider and wine, plus signature cocktails and mocktails along with passed hors d’oeuvres.
Meet Benjamin Franklin in person, as interpreted by Mike Kochan. Dr. Franklin will have a selection of his scientific experiments on hand for you to explore.
Meet a Continental army soldier and a loyal member of His Majesty’s 43rd Regiment of Foot, opposing forces on the battlefield setting aside their differences for this special evening.
Try your hand at authentic tavern amusements and play Artifact Challenge, a special 18th-century matching game. Your evening continues in the candle-lit Grand Ballroom with a special three-course meal featuring contemporary interpretations of colonial-era favorites, with a cash bar available throughout the evening.
Dinner options are:
- Chicken Fricassee with herbed boiled potatoes and spring peas
- Deconstructed Short Rib Pot Pie with mashed potatoes
- Halibut with Spring Pea Risotto and lemon cream
- Spring Pea Risotto with wild mushrooms and spring vegetables (Vegetarian)
History comes alive around you as costumed guests and knowledgeable companions weave through the evening, sparking conversation and bringing the past thrillingly close.
Signature Cocktails
Drink like it’s 1776 with authentic signature cocktails based on 18th century recipes, plus beer, wine and cider and a Grapefruit Fennel Spritz mocktail option.
Fish House Punch
There are many stories of the origin of Fish House Punch, a potent and popular colonial-era beverage. The most generally accepted is that it was created by members of the Colony in Schuylkill (subsequently known as the State in Schuylkill and currently Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania), the oldest continuously operating social club in the English-speaking world. It was traditionally served in a punch bowl that also served as a baptismal font for member’s children. Membership remains limited to 30, with ten apprentices and the roster has always leaned toward the wealthy and powerful. George Washington was a frequent guest of the club and legend says that he enjoyed the drink with such vigor that he was unable to write in his diary for three days after one visit.
Black Tea Punch
Black Tea Punch blends spiced tea with rum, whiskey, and citrus. Using tea as a base for punch was a common 18th century practice. Boiling the water for brewing tea removed many pathogens, rendering the beverage “safer” than the often-fouled water in colonial cities. Today it’s just delicious!
Tickets are $130 per person. Each ticket comes with one drink ticket, while HBMS members receive two drink tickets.
Parking
See the bell station at Hotel Bethlehem for parking instructions or enjoy a short walk from the Walnut Street Garage.
