The town of Bethlehem, north of Philadelphia, was founded by Moravian Brethren from Germany, who have left their mark on the town with the Christmas Festival, when choirs and orchestras join in a celebration that is well known throughout the United States, and in the Gemein Haus of 1741 (now a museum), the Brethren's House of 1748 and the Old Chapel of 1751. In the Moravian Cemetery on Market Street there are graves ranging in date from 1742 to 1910. The Bach Festival held on the campus of Lehigh University is world-famous.
The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor consists of five counties offering various recreational and sports activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, bicycling and canoeing as well as museums that illustrate the region's 50 ethnic groups.
Address: Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 1 South Third Street, 8th Floor, Easton, PA 18042, United States
Phone: 1 (610) 861-9345, Fax: 1 (610) 923-0537
Tips: Each site, park, recreational activity and event has its own fees.
In 1748, Moravian missionary James Burnside and his wife, Mary, built the first single-family house in Bethlehem on 500 acres adjacent to the Moravian settlement. At the time, Moravians lived communally so this was an historic move. Seven acres of that original farm are being developed as a living history museum to interpret farming between 1748 and 1848.
The Colonial Industrial Quarter is home to the 1761 Tannery, and 1762 Waterworks (oldest pumped water system in America). An interactive gallery for children called HistoryWorks is also available!
HistoryWorks! is a gallery for children to explore history with hands-on exhibits. Activities include dressing up like colonial children, grinding corn, and hammering out a nail.
Kemerer Museum, housed in two historic buildings, features a permanent collection of fine period furniture, silver, glass, textiles, china, paintings, and toys.
Hours:
April 1 to December 31: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
Housed in the oldest building in Bethlehem, the Moravian Museum has exhibits of the ideals, art and culture of the early Moravians. The largest 18th century log building in the United States was completed in 1741.
Built in 1758, the 18th century Sun Inn has been restored and furnished in period and allows visitors to view the guest suite, bedroom suite and old kitchen. The landscaped courtyard continues the colonial atmosphere.
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Bethlehem
