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The LMTHS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions are considered tax-deductible for federal tax purposes.
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Macungie Township in the late 1790s was a hotbed of patriotic protest. Local farmers and others joined together to voice strident opposition to the way they perceived the new nation was going under President John Adams’s administration, and rebelled against a new federal tax. Named after its leader, John Fries (pronounced “freeze”), the Fries Rebellion made waves at the highest levels of the new government.
Be part of this exciting adventure to bring The Fries Rebellion film to fruition!
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In anticipation of America250 celebrations to be held nationwide in 2026, the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society (LMTHS) invites you to be part of a special film project and gala that will celebrate one of the region's defining periods.
LMTHS is partnering with award-winning production companies, In the Wee hours and ubiFire Video Productions, to produce a 30-minute film delving into 'The Fries Rebellion.' A professionally produced and edited educational tool for K-12 teachers in Eastern Pennsylvania and distributed nationwide via streaming services, film festivals, in museums and historical societies, and for tourism groups from around the world, the film will provide insights into the ongoing, unfolding American experiment, highlight aspects of local heritage, and be a legacy for generations to come.
In this docudrama, places and events of the Fries Rebellion are seen through the eyes of a modern schoolgirl. Audiences of all ages will be entertained and informed about an insurrection that occurred in 1798-1799, primarily in the German-speaking populations in and surrounding the “Lehigh Hills” region of then Northampton, eastern Berks, upper Bucks, and upper Montgomery counties of Pennsylvania. Several of the scenes will be feature original sites that still exist, including the Red Lion Inn (formerly Enoch Robert's Tavern - Quakertown), Jamision Publick House (formerly Conrad Mark's Tavern - Geryville), Hendrixson's furniture store (formerly John Shymer's Tavern - Shimersville), Buckeye Tavern (formerly Henry Shankweiler's Tavern - Macungie), 1760 House (formerly Peter Trexler's Tavern - Trexlertown), Commix Hotel (formerly Martin Ritter's Tavern - Allentown), and the 1758 Sun Inn (Bethlehem).
LMTHS is partnering with award-winning production companies, In the Wee hours and ubiFire Video Productions, to produce a 30-minute film delving into 'The Fries Rebellion.' A professionally produced and edited educational tool for K-12 teachers in Eastern Pennsylvania and distributed nationwide via streaming services, film festivals, in museums and historical societies, and for tourism groups from around the world, the film will provide insights into the ongoing, unfolding American experiment, highlight aspects of local heritage, and be a legacy for generations to come.
In this docudrama, places and events of the Fries Rebellion are seen through the eyes of a modern schoolgirl. Audiences of all ages will be entertained and informed about an insurrection that occurred in 1798-1799, primarily in the German-speaking populations in and surrounding the “Lehigh Hills” region of then Northampton, eastern Berks, upper Bucks, and upper Montgomery counties of Pennsylvania. Several of the scenes will be feature original sites that still exist, including the Red Lion Inn (formerly Enoch Robert's Tavern - Quakertown), Jamision Publick House (formerly Conrad Mark's Tavern - Geryville), Hendrixson's furniture store (formerly John Shymer's Tavern - Shimersville), Buckeye Tavern (formerly Henry Shankweiler's Tavern - Macungie), 1760 House (formerly Peter Trexler's Tavern - Trexlertown), Commix Hotel (formerly Martin Ritter's Tavern - Allentown), and the 1758 Sun Inn (Bethlehem).
Fries Rebellion Film Partners
Alburtis-Lockridge Historical Society
Bethlehem Area School District
The Civic Theatre of Allentown
County of Northampton
Discover Lehigh Valley
East Penn School District
Professor Scott Paul Gordon, Ph.D. (Lehigh University)
Hendrixson's Furniture
Historic Rescue Photography
Attorney Michael S. Horvath, II
In the Wee hours Production Company
Jacobsburg Historical Society
Jamison Publick House
The Knauss Homestead
Lehigh Valley Passport to History
Longswamp Township Historical Society
Blake and Marilyn Marles
McCoole's at the Red Lion Inn
The Mercer Museum
Mister Bill's Poultry
Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society
The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Quakertown Historical Society
Rising River Brewing
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Jason Searock
Christopher Stress
The Sun Inn Preservation Society
Two Rivers Brewing Company
ubiFire Video Productions
Upper Milford Historical Society

Artwork by James Mann is on display at the Bartholomew Center for the Preservation of Lower Macungie Township History.