Imagine a place where history comes alive. That’s one idea proposed by the Technology Clinic team that is determining potential uses for the historic Bachmann Tavern. Built in 1763, the tavern is Easton’s oldest standing structure and most important historic site. Located at Second and Northampton streets, the stone building was the first tavern licensed in Northampton County and was used as Easton’s first courthouse.
“Our plan would make the tavern a place of education and entertainment,” says Shana Hennigan ’01, a double major in English and economics and business.
The Easton Heritage Alliance is considering the students’ idea to make the restored tavern a living history museum or a restaurant reminiscent of its 19th-century days.
Other students on the team are Michael Blair ’01, biology; Amanda Leigh Friel ’00, English and economics and business; Nicole Herbert ’00, anthropology and sociology and art; Cheryl Mascitelli ’01, neuroscience; and Bora Tokyay ’01, civil and environmental engineering. They created a brochure that summarized the project, a video chronicling some of the restoration, and a three-dimensional model.
Technology Clinic is a year-long course in which students from different disciplines work together to find creative answers to real-life problems posed by area businesses and organizations.
“Tech Clinic lets us attack a problem that doesn’t have one set solution,” says Hennigan. “We’ve learned to work together well, even when we have different perspectives.” The team is guided by Dan Bauer, professor of anthropology and sociology, and William Best, adjunct instructor.
A second team is continuing work started last year on a drunk-driving simulator. With electronics completed, the students are now finishing the mechanical parts.
The simulator will test people’s reactions to motion, images, and messages. By designing a model allowing users to experience two perspectives-a drunk driver, a sober passenger-students hope to change the social atmosphere surrounding drunk driving. They expect to present it to the Weller Center, an interactive health education center in Easton, in the spring.