‘A bold vision’: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites talks next steps in its fundraising home stretch, plans for Grist Miller’s House

January 23rd, 2025 | In The News

Written by Will Oliver

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is in the fundraising home stretch to connect the 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House and neighboring 1869 Luckenbach Mill, just as the structures once were back in the 19th century.

But it’s planned to look a bit different this time, as the Colonial Industrial Quarter is in for updates.

Part of its Taking the World Stage campaign “to enhance the experience of local, national and international visitors,” HBMS needs another $1 million to meet its $7.25 million goal, historic officials announced in a media release Wednesday.

In the Spring, the Ralph Schwarz Center for Colonial Industries is planned to open — which would showcase the area’s historic trades through exhibitions, promote local artisan works and offer educational programs — at the Grist Miller’s House alongside a scenic glass-and-steel connection space to be named Overlook on History.

Ralph Schwarz has been described as “a driving force” by HBMS, due to his work preserving Moravian landmarks across the city’s historic areas. Schwarz played a crucial part in establishing the Central Bethlehem Historic District as the first local historic district statewide.

“It’s about creating a dynamic future and inspiring people of all ages by showcasing the stories of resilience, innovation and community that Bethlehem has to offer.”

Bethlehem Museums & Sites President and CEO LoriAnn Wukitsch, on the Taking the World Stage campaign

The Taking the World Stage funding could cover essential infrastructure and capital improvements at some of the 20 sites HBMS oversees, including structures part of the Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem UNESCO World Heritage site. It also can be used for the HBMS Heritage Fund, allowing for site care and assistance with emergency damages through an endowment.

Donations can be made through the HBMS website. Donors also may contact Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites President and CEO LoriAnn Wukitsch at lwukitsch@historicbethlehem.org for more information.

“The Taking the World Stage campaign is about more than just preserving history,” Wukitsch said. “It’s about creating a dynamic future and inspiring people of all ages by showcasing the stories of resilience, innovation and community that Bethlehem has to offer.”

‘A bold vision’

Taking the World Stage Campaign Chair Jennifer Van De Voorde said the effort is “a bold vision — a promise to secure Historic Bethlehem’s place as a globally recognized treasure.

“Now, we are inviting everyone in our community and beyond to join us in bringing this vision to life by completing the Overlook on History.”

Other HBMS historic property projects have included the following over the past three years:

• Restored windows and doors at the 1762 Tannery
• Restored floors and shutters at the 1741 Gemeinhaus
• Renovated the 1810 Goundie House Welcome Center
• Opened the Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe on Main Street 
• Installed new HVAC systems at the Moravian and Kemerer Museums
• Added new floors at the Kemerer Museum 

The Single Sisters’ House is slated for a floor restoration, and the 1762 Tannery will later get improvements for its first floor, HBMS said.

Christine Ussler, principal of Artefact Inc. out of South Bethlehem, designed the Miller’s House renovations.

Last fall, three support beams supporting the Miller’s House interior and exterior for more than 20 years were removed as part of the project’s next steps.

The Overlook on History was designed by architect David Scott Parker, who also was behind preservation work in the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, D.C., among other national landmark sites.

Read the article on the LehighValleyNews website.

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