Moravian Sun Inn
Also known as: Sun Inn
Why it's listed
Built of limestone in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, between 1758 and 1760, the Sun Inn was constructed by the Moravian community in the Germanic building tradition that marked the town. Work began in April 1758 and the first guests arrived in September 1760. Its guest register lists visitors tied to the founding of the United States, including George Washington, John Adams, Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton and Benedict Arnold. After the Battle of the Brandywine, more than 900 wagons of Washington's army were parked on the low ground behind it. In March 1799 the inn was the scene of Fries' Rebellion, when John Fries and armed followers secured the release of prisoners held for refusing to pay the house tax. Later alterations added floors, a flat roof and brick coating, substantially changing its original appearance, though the main entrance remains in its original location.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the inn is an important architectural, commercial and historic landmark of the colonial and Revolutionary period. It is described as the only known colonial inn built in Germanic rather than Anglo-American style, and its guest register links it to many figures of the founding era. It also played a role in Fries' Rebellion in 1799.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001658, listed October 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 564 Main St., Bethlehem |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | October 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001658 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1760 |
| Architectural style | Germanic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Seriously altered; the document states present plans call for restoration and use as a hospitality center. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Central Bethlehem Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.62196, -75.38126 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001658.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6909351
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.