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The Importance of Preservation in Historic Bethlehem
May 20th, 2024 |
May is National Historic Preservation Month, organized by the National Park Service. The month is designed to promote historic sites, drive tourism, and showcase the benefits of historic preservation.
At HBMS, we work each day to preserve our most prized resources — our 20 historic sites and the history and stories they house. We are excited to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month as a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Landmark District since quality preservation is critical in maintaining historical sites. Keep reading to see precisely why it’s so important and what it looks like at HBMS.
The NPS defines preservation as “the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property.” This work allows us to experience Bethlehem’s history dating back more than 280 years and ask questions about the lives of those who lived and worked there. Some of last year’s preservation initiatives include:
- New flooring installations at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
- Interior storm windows for increased curb appeal at the Moravian Museum
- Restoration of the third and fourth-floor windows at the Tannery
- Replacement of the Luckenbach Mill elevator for improved site accessibility
Historic preservation plays a key part in how we contextualize our lives as modern members of society. Old places allow guests to see the continuity between their lives and those who came before them, evoking a deep sense of connection and belonging. They can even boost emotional health, reminding us of our roots and the stories that shaped us. This is a fundamental method for passing history down to future generations.
Additionally, historic preservation is not just about the past but also about the future. It has a significant economic impact, creating jobs and stimulating economies. Whether it’s the initial revival of a site or its continued preservation, the benefits ripple through local, state, and national economies. Your support in this endeavor directly contributes to the prosperity of our community.
At HBMS, these initiatives also help us to look forward. Our current preservation initiative is focused on the 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House, for which we recently received a $500,000 national grant. This project will make a tremendous difference in our future visitors’ experiences as we work to stabilize the Grist Miller’s House and enhance its surrounding buildings to create an engaging Colonial Industrial Quarter.
We welcome you to visit Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites to experience the results of our historic preservation in person or to consider making a generous gift so that we can fulfill our promise to preserve the historic sites at HBMS. Read more about the Grist Miller’s House preservation project here and here.
