The historic Sun Inn in Bethlehem had sheltered the likes of John Adams, Martha Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. On the afternoon of July 27, 1865 – 150 years ago today – the inn was the location of a momentous gathering for Lehigh University: the first Board of Trustees meeting.

Minutes were written in elaborate Victorian script in a leather-trimmed notebook, covering 1½pages. There was no hint that board members Bishop William Bacon Stevens, Robert H. Sayre and Robert A. Packer were launching a somewhat risky venture. They appointed a treasurer, recorded that “the institution shall consist of a college proper as usually organized, together with a scientific school embracing the whole class of physical sciences taught in the best institutions of its kind” and decided to advertise for an architect to build a main stone building.

Fou nder Asa Packer was not present. He was on a trip to Europe.