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The Fries Rebellion

a film about self-discovery and political protest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

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The Fries Rebellion

The Fries Rebellion

The Fries Rebellion

The Fries Rebellion

The Fries Rebellion

a film about self-discovery and political protest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

a film about self-discovery and political protest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

a film about self-discovery and political protest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

a film about self-discovery and political protest in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

Cody Hawley
Cody Hawley
Cody Hawley
Cody Hawley
1 Campaign |
Macungie, United States
$4,295 USD 31 backers
17% of $25,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Help US Make History!

In anticipation of America250 celebrations to be held nationwide in 2026, the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society (LMTHS) is partnering with award-winning production companies, In the Wee hours and ubiFire Video Productions, to produce an exciting film about the Fries Rebellion, a violent insurrection that occurred in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley between 1798-99.

The Fries Rebellion was a protest against the Federalist government's first Federal House Tax led by patriotic Pennsylvania-German veterans of the American Revolution. We invite you to be part of this special film project and premiere gala that will celebrate one of the region's defining periods.

For a sneak peek, please take a few minutes to view the teaser video above.


The Story

In the late 1790s, Pennsylvania's Macungie Township 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 moving under President John Adams’s administration, and they 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.


About Us

The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society was formed in 1989 to save a log house in Wescosville, PA from demolition. Since that time, our very active, all-volunteer society has expanded its mission to include educational outreach, programs, social media, and films like this. We wish to bring this historic rebellion to life with your help!


The Film

In this historic docudrama, places and events of the Fries Rebellion are seen through the eyes of a teenager, Kayla, who meets up with her Uncle Steve, a history professor, for assistance on her school report about the Fries Rebellion. After Uncle Steve realizes that a literature search will not work for Kayla, he takes her on a driving tour so she can see and experience some of the places where the Rebellion took place. As they take their tour through the historic sites of the tax revolt, Kayla begins to see the rebellion unfold right before her eyes.

As Kayla experiences these incredible, life-like visions of the rebellion, this simple search for information slowly begins to transform her understanding of her past and present. Kayla not only learns about local history and the ideological and political underpinnings of the Fries Rebellion, but also delves into other late 18th-century cultural issues including slavery, disease, and transportation. She experiences and sees that misguided charismatic leadership, fueled by anger, misinformation, fearmongering, bravado, and inflamed rhetoric can quickly turn a well-established, tight-knit community of peaceful neighbors into violent foes whose disagreement causes innocent victims to be manipulated and to suffer.

With this short film, audiences of all ages will be entertained and informed about this little-known insurrection that occurred 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 feature original sites that still exist.

Through the juxtaposition of past and present and personal versus national interests, the film subtly addresses the ongoing search for what liberty, freedom, patriotism, loyalty, and duty mean in the United States of America.


With your contributions, we'll make history!

As we are a non-profit, we truly wish to include the community in bringing this film to life. Besides local grants, we need your help to raise funds as we move from pre-production to principal photography. Production is set to begin in March 2024. With this timing, the film’s premiere and initial film festival run would commence by fall of 2024 to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Fries Rebellion. The film is expected to become widely available in 2025.

While our overall budget for this film is $300K (including grants and any loose pocket change), we have set our Indiegogo goal to $25,000 in order to raise enough to cover pre-production. If we can manage to surpass our initial goal, it would mean that we can pay the crew better, move through production much smoother, develop the product in the most efficient editing workflow possible, and then get this film to the big screen as soon as we can. Everyone who donates will receive a digital thank you!

For even more details about donations above $2,500, please see our sponsorship page at lmthistory.org/fries-rebellion!

This film will be professionally produced as an educational tool for K-12 teachers in Eastern Pennsylvania and tourism groups from around the world, and distributed nationwide via streaming services, film festivals, museums, and historical societies. The film will provide insights into the ongoing, unfolding American experiment, highlight aspects of local heritage, and be a legacy for generations to come.

We greatly appreciate any support you can give, whether it is by making a financial contribution, by donating time or resources, or simply by sharing the campaign with friends and family! You can learn more at lmthistory.org and follow our socials in order to share posts to spread the word, or ideally share this month-long campaign directly.

Thank you so much for your support of our historic short film. We look forward to sharing updates with you very soon!

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Choose your Perk

Patriot

$10 USD
For donating $10, you get our heartfelt thanks and a shout-out on social media!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
3 claimed

Farmer

$25 USD
If you donate $25, you also get an advance download of the film once it is completed!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
5 claimed

Mason

$50 USD
When you donate $50, you get our brand-new The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt (to be picked up at LMTHS museum).
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
9 claimed

Tavernkeeper

$100 USD
By donating $100, you will receive an exclusive invitation to a Zoom Q&A with cast & crew!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
  • Zoom Q&A with cast/crew
4 claimed

Cavalry Officer

$250 USD
For donating $250, you also get a subscription to the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society newsletter!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
  • Zoom Q&A with cast/crew
  • LMTHS newsletter subscription
5 claimed

Friend

$500 USD
If you donate $500, you get to see your name on screen with the added "Friends" screen credit!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
  • Zoom Q&A with cast/crew
  • LMTHS newsletter subscription
  • Friends screen credit
3 claimed

Deutscher

$1,000 USD
When you donate $1,000, you will receive a "Thanks" screen credit AND two complimentary Lower Macungie Township Historical Society memberships!
Included Items
  • Shout-out on social media
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
  • Zoom Q&A with cast/crew
  • LMTHS newsletter subscription
  • Thanks screen credit
  • 2x LMTHS memberships (2)
0 claimed

Grandy Miller's Pot

$2,500 USD
By donating $2,500, you get all of the above along with a "Special Thanks" screen credit, two tickets to our Opening Night Gala, AND a free print ad in the Opening Night Gala program!
Included Items
  • Advance film download
  • The Fries Rebellion T-Shirt
  • Zoom Q&A with cast/crew
  • LMTHS newsletter subscription
  • 2x LMTHS memberships (2)
  • Special Thanks screen credit
  • 2x Opening Night Gala Tickets (2)
  • Print Ad in Gala Program
0 out of 20 of claimed

John Fries's Fund

$5,000 USD
By donating $5,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with a "Sponsor" screen credit, four tickets to our Opening Night Gala, AND a free print ad in the Opening Night Gala program!
Included Items
  • Print Ad in Gala Program
  • Sponsor screen credit
  • 4x Opening Night Gala Tickets
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 10 of claimed

Henry Jarrett’s Trustee

$10,000 USD
If you contribute $10,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with an "Associate Producer" screen credit, eight tickets to our Opening Night Gala, a free print ad in the Opening Night Gala program, AND an ad on the LMTHS website!
Included Items
  • Print Ad in Gala Program
  • Assoc. Producer screen credit
  • 8x Opening Night Gala Tickets
  • LMTHS website ad
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 6 of claimed

Judge Henry’s Hedge

$15,000 USD
When you donate $15,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with a "Producer" screen credit, eight tickets to our Opening Night Gala, a free print ad in the Opening Night Gala program, an ad on the LMTHS website, AND an appearance in the film!
Included Items
  • Print Ad in Gala Program
  • 8x Opening Night Gala Tickets
  • LMTHS website ad
  • Producer screen credit
  • Appearance in the film
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 4 of claimed

Col. Nichol’s Endowment

$40,000 USD
By donating $40,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with a "Co-Executive Producer" screen credit, eight VIP tickets to our Opening Night Gala, deluxe signage and prominent placement in the Opening Night Gala program, AND recognition in all materials promoting the film!
Included Items
  • Co-Exec Producer screen credit
  • Feature in ALL promo materials
  • Prominent placement in program
  • 8x VIP tickets to Gala
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 4 of claimed

Gen. McPherson’s Patron

$80,000 USD
For donating $80,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with an "Executive Producer" screen credit, twelve VIP tickets to our Opening Night Gala, a chance to speak and deluxe signage at the Opening Night Gala, recognition in all materials promoting the film, AND a 15-second spot/commercial at the start of the film screening!
Included Items
  • Feature in ALL promo materials
  • Prominent placement in program
  • Exec Producer screen credit
  • Chance to speak at Gala
  • 12x VIP tickets to Gala
  • 15-sec spot at start of film
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 2 of claimed

Film Name Sponsor

$125,000 USD
If you donate $125,000, you get all applicable prior perks along with twelve VIP tickets to our Opening Night Gala, a chance to speak and deluxe signage at the Opening Night Gala, recognition in all materials promoting the film, a 45-second spot/commercial, and official sponsor status of the film ("Organization Name" proudly presents...).
Included Items
  • Feature in ALL promo materials
  • Prominent placement in program
  • Chance to speak at Gala
  • 12x VIP tickets to Gala
  • Official sponsor of the film
  • 45-sec spot at start of film
  • All applicable prior perks
0 out of 1 of claimed
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