Presentation topic: Capital Day: Lancaster and the Revolution. September 27, 1777, presented by Adam Zurn
Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg at 101 South Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA 17579.
The meetings are open to the general public, and feature presentations on interesting topics related to local history. Snacks and refreshments are served at the end of each meeting.
Presentation Overview:
On September 27, 1777, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, became the capital of the United States for one remarkable day. But this was no ceremonial honor. It happened during one of the most dangerous moments of the American Revolution, as British forces advanced on Philadelphia and the Continental Congress fled for safety.
This presentation explores the dramatic sequence of events that brought some of the most important figures of the Revolution to Lancaster. Beginning with the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, the program follows the collapse of American defenses, Alexander Hamilton’s urgent warning to evacuate Philadelphia, and the tense journey of Congress through Pennsylvania as delegates sought to stay one step ahead of the British army.
Along the way, we will look at the movement of vital public papers, the hidden journey of the Liberty Bell, John Adams’ firsthand account of the flight from Philadelphia, and the arrival of Continental Congress members in Lancaster. The story culminates at the old courthouse in what is now Penn Square, where Congress met, conducted official business, and then quickly adjourned to York for greater safety.
More than a local footnote, Capital Day reveals Lancaster’s brief but meaningful role in the survival of American independence. For one day, while the future of the Revolution hung in the balance, the Red Rose City stood at the center of a young nation’s government.
Adam Zurn Bio:
Adam Zurn is an author, explorer, and founder of Uncharted Lancaster, a history and adventure platform dedicated to uncovering the forgotten stories, local legends, and hidden places of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Blending careful research with folklore and mystery, he brings the region’s past to life through immersive storytelling, treasure hunts, and guided explorations.
A technology education teacher with 25 years of experience at the Lampeter-Strasburg School District, Adam has called Lancaster County home since 1997. He serves on the boards of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County and the Conestoga Area Historical Society and is the author of Uncharted Lancaster: A Field Guide to the Strange, Storied, and Hidden Places of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure; and the children’s book Canassatego and His Six Arrows: A Story of Wisdom, Peace, and the Birth of a Nation.
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