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“Checking In?” Exhibition Explores Bethlehem’s Long Hospitality Legacy
December 17th, 2024 | In The News
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ latest exhibition runs through January 26, 2025.
by Amiee Goldy, Patch
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) has something special for history enthusiasts as fall transitions to winter. The nonprofit’s latest exhibition, “Checking In? Bethlehem’s Alluring Accommodations,” runs until January 26, 2025. Supported by presenting sponsor Historic Hotel Bethlehem, this captivating multisite experience invites visitors on a journey through time, showcasing the city’s most iconic lodgings. Taking visitors from the World Heritage Site Moravian Museum of Bethlehem to the elegant Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and storied Sun Inn, the exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into how Bethlehem’s renowned hospitality has welcomed some of history’s most notable figures.
“Our latest exhibition celebrates Bethlehem’s rich history and the warm hospitality of its iconic establishments over the centuries. As we embrace the beauty of the upcoming winter season, we invite everyone to explore how our community’s spirit of hospitality has shaped and enriched our local culture,” said HBMS President and CEO LoriAnn Wukisch. “‘Checking In’ also provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the Moravian Church Settlements—Bethlehem, now recognized as Pennsylvania’s third cultural World Heritage Site.”
The exhibition’s featured landmarks include:
- Moravian Museum of Bethlehem: Guests will “check-in” at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, where they’ll be transported back nearly 300 years to the fictional Moravian Inn. Moving to the guestrooms, visitors will learn about the different types of visitors to Bethlehem and how they were welcomed based on their religious background.
- Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts: The journey continues at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, where guests will be transported to Bethlehem circa 1870, when the Eagle Hotel was in its prime. Here, guests will learn how hotels created a sense of grandeur and explore late-nineteenth-century style, accessories, and culture. Guests will be astounded to learn that during Prohibition, poker games and gangsters were a common sight in many Bethlehem hotel rooms. Finally, guests will visit The Blind Tiger, the Kemerer’s very own speakeasy. Guests must remember the secret password, “Annie,” to enter the speakeasy.
- Sun Inn: The Sun Inn played a crucial role in shaping Bethlehem and the United States. Its welcoming of esteemed guests such as George Washington, John Adams, and the Marquis de Lafayette highlights its significance in American history. Visitors can experience the Sun Inn, which opened in 1760, and explore various colonial rooms, such as the Gaststube or “Guest Parlor” and the Innkeepers Room.
This family-friendly experience offers guests 21 and older a Checking In Combo Ticket option available for purchase, which includes a Christmas City Spirits tasting experience and a complimentary tasting glass with a recipe.
Visitors can learn about Bethlehem’s hospitality legacy during the Christmas City’s peak tourism season. Bethlehem’s connection to the holiday season dates back to 1741, when a group of Moravians named the town on Christmas Eve.
In addition to Historic Hotel Bethlehem, exhibition sponsors include business sponsors Homewood Suites by Hilton and Shelly’s Building Supply, and hospitality sponsor Bear Creek Mountain Resort.
Read the article on Patch here.
