Hearts of Historic Bethlehem

February 20th, 2018 |

February is the time of year when we all want to think about how we can show our love to one another. Historic Bethlehem provides that atmosphere for you where you can spend time with one another while supporting the historic town you love.

Here are some great things happening in Historic Bethlehem that you can do with your loved ones:

1. Explore Bethlehem’s Oldest Buildings of Worship

Plan a weekend visit for our Church & Chapel Tour before it ends on February 25^th! On your tour, you will visit the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the 1751 Old Chapel, and the Central Moravian Church.

The 1741 Gemeinhaus, also known as the Moravian Museum, is where your tour will depart from. This is the oldest surviving building in Bethlehem! Plus it is the location of what is known as the Great Wedding in 1749, where 28 couples were married in the same service (four couples at a time by seven participating clergy).

1741 Gemeinhaus/Moravian Museum

From there your tour will move on to the Old Chapel which was built in 1751. Did you know that General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette visited here during the American Revolutionary War?

1751 Old Chapel

To conclude the tour, you will then journey to the Central Moravian Church which was built 1803-1806. In 1900, this Church was the site of the first American performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s complete Mass in B minor by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and, for this, has been named an American Music Landmark.  The belfry of the church is the iconic symbol of present-day Bethlehem.

Central Moravian Church

Make sure that this tour is a part of your February to-do! There are only 2 more tours scheduled (Feb 24 & 25). Register today!

2. Make Your Next Event Historic

Did you know that we offer four historic sites as rentals for your next event? With unsurpassed charm and elegance, our sites can accommodate as few as 10 and as many as 350 people for weddings, dinner parties, family reunions, corporate receptions, team-building activities, and more!

Burnside Plantation

Host your next event at one of these locations listed below for an unforgettable, special time:

• Burnside Planation

Situated along the Monocacy Creek, James Burnside’s property includes the 18th and 19th-century farmhouse and summer kitchen, a large garden, and two barns. Host 250 guests at the Plantation, or 20-80 guests at the Barn or Wagon Shed. The possibilities are endless!

• Colonial Industrial Quarter

The variety of landscapes, backdrops, and historic sites make the Colonial Industrial Quarter a diverse and exciting place. Perfect for big events, this site can accommodate up to 350 guests!

Luckenbach Mill at Colonial Industrial Quarter

• Kemerer Museum

The Kemerer Museum provides a unique venue for your special event that can accommodate up to 100 people. This location is ideal for cocktail parties, family reunions, corporate dinners, birthday parties, baby showers, and so much more.

• Moravian Museum

Also known as the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the Moravian Museum introduces guests to the earliest history of the Bethlehem community. Celebrate your event in this unique location with up to 100 guests in the museum or 60-80 guests in the 1741 Saal.

3. Splurge on Unique Gifts

Have you checked out any of our unique gifts located at the Visitors Center? Here you can find a one-of-a-kind gift perfect to give to your loved one, as a birthday or anniversary present, or just something special for yourself!

We have a variety of hand-made items like crocheted cup cozies and hand-warmers made by Counting Crafty Sheep. These charming cozies will keep your cup, hand, and heart warm through the cold month of February!

Customize Your Coffee Cup

4. Show Your Love For History

There are many ways that you can show your love to us here at Historic Bethlehem and there are ways that we also show our love back to you!

DONATE – Every donation supports our mission to preserve and share Bethlehem’s rich history—American Indian beginnings, Moravian founding, industrial growth, and downtown prosperity—with future generations.

BECOME A MEMBER – This is a way that you can support Historic Bethlehem, but get some amazing perks as well! Some of the benefits include:

• Free and unlimited museum visits
• Invitations to exhibit previews and special member events
• Discounted gift shop purchases
• Pre-Public sale tour and event tickets
• Free admission to monthly children’s programs
• By-appointment access to the Historic Bethlehem library and archives

In return, you are continuing to support your local community and preserving 20 historic structures, 60,000+ collections and artifacts, and 3 centuries of rich history.

VOLUNTEER – Donate your time and skills at Historic Bethlehem. There are a number of areas that you can volunteer, including: Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe, host/hostess, tour guide, gardening, site clean-up, festivals & events, committee member, and holiday museum & historic site interpreter.

Group of Volunteers at Blueberry Festival

5. Plan for FREE Family Fun at the Kemerer

Starting April 8th, bring the family for a FREE afternoon at the Kemerer Museum every Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Enjoy a range of children’s activities and tour the current exhibition, Time Capsule Bethlehem: Our City Then & Now, as well as the permanent collection on display.

Spend some quality time with your family with our FREE Sunday programs:

• Time Capsule Bethlehem: Family Room
• Career Corner
• Museum Storytime
• Once Upon a Treehouse Interactive Play Room

Free Sundays at the Museum programs are funded with support from the Jones Children Fund.

6. Start 2018 Off Healthy

Start training for one of Bethlehem’s most anticipated 5K’s: the 16^th Annual Historic Turkey Trot! Now you can make your heart happy by spending time with your sweetheart and also healthy by running!

Register now until May 16th for the lowest prices of the year: $25 for Runners/Competitive Walkers and $20 for Fun Walkers.

Historic Turkey Trot

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