From Junkyard to Historical Gem

February 8th, 2011 |

The main offices of Historic Bethlehem Partnership are located in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, Bethlehem’s industrial center developed by the Moravians in the mid-1700s.  The area included a tannery, oil mill, dyehouse, grist and fulling mill, pottery, blacksmith and the first municipal water works with additional artisans’ shops along the Monocacy Creek.  The area was developed throughout the 1800s, but by the 1950s it was filled with…

junk cars…

scrap heaps…

floating trash…

and out of control brush.

In 1957 Historic Bethlehem, Inc. was formed to oversee the transformation of this area into a historical park for the city.  To date, HBI has restored the 1762 Waterworks, the 1761 Tannery, and the 1869 Luckenbach Mill.  Replicas of a spring house and the smithy were constructed on the former buildings’ footprints.  The Colonial Industrial Quarter now looks like this…

The Colonial Industrial Quarter now hosts HBP’s educational programs and events throughout the year.  Fishermen take advantage of access to the Monocacy Creek.  Couples utilize the buildings for an elegant wedding backdrop.  And (a favorite of mine) dogs and their walkers enjoy playing Frisbee and ball on the lawns.  Do you visit the Colonial Industrial Quarter on a regular basis?  What is your favorite activity to do there?

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