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Walk through history as we guide you to things to learn, places to discover, and events that help connect us to our rich heritage.
Our ultimate goal
Widely recognized as a gem of our region and a national treasure, Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem has been nominated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as its first transnational nomination to the World Heritage List.
What a great honor it is for our region to be listed with the likes of Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty, and the Historic Centre of Rome!
The Taking the World Stage Capital Campaign is a $7.25 million campaign to ensure that we address our most urgent needs right now so that we are ready to welcome more visitors, tell the story of Bethlehem from its founding until today, and preserve our important historic sites in perpetuity.
“Since Its founding in 1741, the Moravian settlement in Bethlehem has stood for the ageless values of education, equality, industry, Integrity and spirituality. Today, Historic Moravian Bethlehem symbolizes the resilience of a community built on those universal values – Ideals that remain essential and relevant to people around the world. Through the Taking the World Stage campaign, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is preparing our community to share those values with visitors from around the world as we draw nearer to being listed as a World Heritage site. I’m grateful for the broad support the campaign has received to date, and encourage others in our community to join in supporting this important regional initiative.”
— Jean-Claude Dubacher, Chairman and CEO of B. Braun of America, Inc.
We need to be ready
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is the steward of many of Bethlehem’s historic assets and the keeper of what sets this historic center of our region apart from others. It is also must interpret that history in ways that reach changing audiences.
We must be prepared to put our best foot forward to the world.
This campaign will make it possible to:
- Complete restoration and preservation projects that will enhance Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem’s World Heritage candidacy
- Prepare for more visitors with a world-class experience
- Ensure that Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ buildings and artifacts are cared for in perpetuity
Bethlehem’s Remarkable Assets
- First school to teach Indigenous languages
- Oldest school to educate women in the original 13 colonies (forerunner of Moravian Academy and Moravian University, 1742)
- One of the earliest orchestras in America
- One of the oldest apothecaries
- Oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world: Moravian Book Shop
- Considered America’s Earliest Industrial Park – a concentration of 35 crafts, trades, and industries operating in the Colonial Industrial Quarter by 1747
- First pumped municipal water system in America
Why It Matters
“The Moravian District is a source of pride for the city of Bethlehem and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, as it has provided a unique, historically rich, and culturally significant way of life for over 275 years. The United States is filled with a number of important historical sites, so to even be considered is an honor.”
— Former U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent, lifelong Lehigh Valley resident and member of the Bethlehem Mayors’ World Heritage Commission
Campaign Initiatives
Creating a World-Class Visitor Experience
$1,845,000
Amenities, expanded historical interpretation, and more capacity will create an outstanding experience.
Learn More Make a GiftEndowments for the Future
$1,915,000
Long-term preservation is important to maintain our historic sites at a level worthy of being on the World Heritage list.
Learn More Make a GiftRestoring & Preserving Our Assets
$3,490,000
Restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and beautification of our historical assets are key to our World Heritage preparations.
Learn More Make a Gift
