PorchFest at Parker Tavern

With 50 venues lined up for Reading PorchFest on June 27th , and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence just around the corner, an overlap was bound to happen.

Image provided by Reading Porchfest.

One particular PorchFest venue has a very direct link to the beginnings of our nation – the Parker Tavern.

Built in the late 1600s, the tavern had already been around for more than 70 years when the American Revolution began and was pressed into service for an interesting role in the war. Believe it or not, it served as a POW camp, of sorts, for a few months.

The Reading Antiquarian Society, owner and operator of the property, will mark the occasion with an encampment in September, but this month is the 250th anniversary of the series of events that led to the building’s unique revolutionary role.

In simple terms, Lt. Archibald Campbell, a Scottish officer, sailed across the Atlantic with his troops set on reinforcing British control of Boston. With no way of knowing what had taken place, he sailed right into Boston Harbor three months after the royal troops had evacuated. He walked right into the hands of the colonials. Since the fledgling continental army had no POW camps available, the soldiers were simply spread out over the countryside where they had little chance or means of escape. Campbell himself was confined in Reading at the Parker Tavern.

That same Parker Tavern will serve as a PorchFest venue.

At noon, on PorchFest Day, a band called Better Than Moonshine will be playing classic rock, then at 2 pm return for The Bird and the Beast playing blues, folk, and vintage rock.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 27, to stop by this local gem of a structure, take in the free music while basking in some history from exactly 250 years ago.