Frederick and Catherine Leaser Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frederick and Catherine Leaser Farm
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Farmhouse at the Frederick and Catherine Leaser Farm
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7654 Leaser Rd., Lynn Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 76 acres (31 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001420 |
| Added to NRHP | January 14, 2004 |
The Frederick and Catherine Leaser Farm is a very old and special farm located in Lynn Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It's also known as the Frederick Leaser Farm. This historic place includes many buildings that show what farm life was like long ago.
The farm is famous because Frederick Leaser played a big part in American history. He helped move the Liberty Bell to safety during the American Revolutionary War. The Leaser family owned this farm for a very long time, from 1750 until 1998! Because of its history and unique buildings, the farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Contents
Exploring the Historic Farm Buildings
This farm is like a time capsule, with many buildings from different periods. Each one tells a story about how people lived and worked centuries ago.
The Oldest Parts: Log Cabin and Summer Kitchen
The very first building on the farm was a log cabin, built around 1750. Imagine living in a simple log cabin back then! There's also a summer kitchen, built around 1850. This was a separate building where people cooked during hot weather to keep the main house cool. It was also used for baking.
The Main Farmhouse and Barn
The main farmhouse you see today was built in 1849. It's a special type of house called a Pennsylvania German vernacular farmhouse. This means it was built in a style common to German settlers in Pennsylvania. The big bank barn was added later, in 1888. A bank barn is built into the side of a hill, so you can enter the upper level from the ground on one side and the lower level from the ground on the other.
Other Important Farm Structures
Around 1900, an outhouse and a smokehouse were built. The smokehouse was used to preserve meat by smoking it. A wagon shed, built in 1906, stored wagons and other farm equipment. There's also a poultry shed from about 1875, where chickens and other birds were kept. You can also find two frame storage sheds and a corn crib from around 1910, used for drying and storing corn.
Family History and Archaeology
The farm also has a family burial ground, where members of the Leaser family were laid to rest. An archaeological site was surveyed here in 1981–1982. This means experts studied the ground to find artifacts and learn more about the people who lived there long ago.
Frederick Leaser and the Liberty Bell
One of the most exciting stories connected to this farm involves Frederick Leaser and the famous Liberty Bell. During the American Revolutionary War, the British army was getting close to Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell was kept. American leaders worried the British might melt down the bell to make cannons.
So, in September 1777, a secret plan was made to move the bell to a safer place. Frederick Leaser was chosen to help with this very important mission. He used his wagon to transport the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia all the way to the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown. This was a difficult journey, but Leaser successfully kept the bell safe from the British. The Liberty Bell stayed hidden in Allentown until the war was over.
Why This Farm is a National Treasure
The Frederick and Catherine Leaser Farm is important because it shows us what a working farm looked like in Pennsylvania for over 200 years. The buildings are great examples of early American architecture and farming practices. Most importantly, the farm's connection to Frederick Leaser and the amazing story of saving the Liberty Bell makes it a truly special place in American history. It helps us remember the bravery and resourcefulness of people during the American Revolution.
Gallery
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General view of the farm
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The historic bank barn
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The original log cabin
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The wagon shed
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The poultry shed
