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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.
Guide to Community Day
May 11th, 2016 |
Community Day, presented by The Morning Call, is a free event hosted every year by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this year’s event!
Location, Date, Time
Where: Colonial Industrial Quarter
459 Old York Road
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Date: Saturday, May 14th, 2016
Time: Drop by anytime between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Parking: Available at the Spring Street parking lot.
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Activities
Put your problem solving skills to the test with a variety of fun activities that highlight the science and engineering principles used by the Moravian settlers, brought to you in partnership with the DaVinci Science Center! This is part of our new education program America’s First Industries: Along the Monocacy Creek.
This program focuses on the physical sciences, including chemistry and physics, as well as engineering and technology. Discover the scientific and technological achievements of early Bethlehem and explore the science behind the processes used at the 1762 Waterworks and the 1761 Tannery, exploring the engineering principles which allowed the Moravian settlers to create the first pumped municipal water system in America.
Activities include:
- Log cabin construction – explore how logs can be used to create buildings and see if you can build a sturdy one
- Grist mill assembly – figure out how to get a grist mill working
- Archway building – discover how to create strong stone buildings like the Moravians did
- Exploring Bethlehem’s water system – explore the engineering use to create Bethlehem’s early water system and visit the working water wheel in the Waterworks
- Tin punching – create decorations by punching holes in sheets of tin
- Experimenting with Dye – learn how dyes are used to color clothing by making your own colorful fabrics
Food, Fun & Games
Play like a Moravian with a variety of outdoor colonial games such as Jacob’s Ladder, Graces, and more!
Live music from the students at The Learning Center
Blacksmith & 1762 Waterworks demonstrations
Kid’s crafts & activities like weaving and making a leather pocket
Heritage Trail tours
Docents on Main
Stop by the Springhouse for hot dogs, popcorn, and water. While you’re there, check out our 275th merchandise, along with other Museum Store top sellers, which will be available for purchase.
Exhibition Opening
The Bethlehem Back When exhibition will be opening at the Luckenbach Mill. This volunteer-driven exhibition will feature a selection of 50 photographs from the collection donated by Bethlehem Steel in 1980.
This is the first ever exhibition dedicated to showcasing the impressive 
photo collection, which spans decades and captures moments, big and small, in the lives of Bethlehem residents.
Over the past 8 months, the dedicated volunteers from the Bethlehem Historic District Association have been working with Lindsey Jancay, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ curator, to digitize, catalogue, and identify key themes for the spring exhibition.
Bethlehem Back When is a great way to celebrate the 275th anniversary of the founding of Bethlehem, and will run from May 14 to November 1, 2016.
Take a peek back in time to the daily lives of Bethlehem residents!
Don’t miss your chance
See inside the newly renovated 1869 Luckenbach Mill, which hasn’t been open to the public for tours in over a decade! Bring the family out for a day of fun. Snap a pic and tag us in your photos using #communityday and #happy275th.
For more information, visit http://historicbethlehem.org/2016-community-day/.
