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6 Fun Spring Things to Do in Historic Bethlehem
April 20th, 2016 |
It’s spring! The daffodils are popping up in gardens, cafés on Main Street are opening their patios, and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is preparing its biggest spring event lineup yet. We’re excited about celebrating our 275th year and can’t wait for all that’s ahead.
We love the outdoors at this time of year, where April brings us warm weather and sunny skies. From the Burnside Plantation to the Heritage Trail, we’ve got activities for you and your family.
Want to step outdoors and explore Historic Bethlehem? Let’s go!
- Visit the Burnside Plantation
The sprawling 6.5 acres of lush greenery and blossoms showcase this magnificent 18th century 
farmhouse and other buildings, once owned by James Burnside and his wife, Mary. Burnside purchased the original 500 acres after moving to Bethlehem from Georgia. It’s perfect to walk around the gardens or peek inside the Summer Kitchen
Want to see the beauty for yourself? Request a tour by appointment by calling 1-800-360-TOUR. Come to our Open House on April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and explore the grounds with the family.
Love to cook? Our Colonial Cooking Demonstration will show you what it was like. Get your ticket here to have a delightful experience!
Also on April 30 at 10 a.m. at the Burnside Plantation, join us for our Penn State Master Gardener Workshop! The Master Gardeners can show you how to maximize your space by picking the perfect plants to invite great pollinators such as bees! You don’t want to miss these fantastic gardening tips!
Learn more about the workshop here. Registration is required through the Penn State Master Gardener website.
Take a Stroll Through History
Get out and enjoy that fresh spring air with one of our walking tours! From Bethlehem Steel to John Adams, we’ve got something for the history buff in you.
2. Bethlehem Steel Tours
Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel
Want to know more about the life of a steel worker? Why was the production of steel dangerous? What are those brass checks anyway? This tour talks about this and more! The Rise & Fall of Bethlehem is a great walking tour that encompasses the history of the Bethlehem Plant. Click here to purchase tickets online.
The Hoover-Mason Trestle
If you could get up close and personal with
the Bethlehem Plant, what would you see? What would you want to know? Stand over the Hoover-Mason Trestle, where ore cars brought in raw materials to produce steel. See the leftover pieces of iron ore and coke, 100-ton flywheels, and huge blast furnaces. This is a tour that you don’t want to miss! Click here to purchase tickets online.
3. John Adams Bethlehem Walking Tour
Why was John Adams in Bethlehem? Find out in this walking tour on April 23rdat 1 p.m. Trace the steps through Adams’ eyes with our docent. You’ll learn about God’s Acre, the Sun Inn, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, and more. Discover why John Adams praised Bethlehem in a letter to his wife, Abigail.
4. Heritage Trail
Go for a stroll at your own pace! Enjoy taking your pet to the park? We have the perfect trail for you! Blue signs self-guide you through all of Historic Bethlehem. Six trails to choose from? Oh my! Don’t worry, with all of this nice weather, you’ll definitely want to experience them all! Want more information about trails? Visit here to make your choice!
Can’t wait to get started? Lace up your sneakers, clip on your Fitbit, and start walking
5. Spring into Action! 
Love gardening – become a volunteer! We need your help! All our sites could use some attention, and you are the right person to help us. Yes, definitely you! We have sites ready to be raked and planted. Get your exercise in and spend a day preserving Historic Bethlehem!
For more info on how you can help, contact Michelle Stern at mstern@historicbethlehem.org
6. Upcoming Events You Don’t Want to Miss!
- Capturing the City: Artists Talks will take place on April 21 at 6 p.m. at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts.
- Meet the Brewer will take place on April 23 at 6 p.m. at the 1810 Goundie House.
- Kid’s Club: Mappy Mother’s Day will be held May 7 at 11 a.m. at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts.
- Community Day 2016 will be held May 14! Bring the family for games, blacksmith demonstrations, free tours, and a preview of our STEM education program – America’s First Industries!
Make sure to stop by our Historic Bethlehem Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe & Museum Store to check out our cool new spring things!
Get out and enjoy the spring weather with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites! From tours to gardening to lending a hand, there’s something for everyone here!
