Explore “the other side of Musikfest” at UNESCO World Heritage Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem

August 7th, 2024 | In The News

Written by Paul Willistein for the Lehigh Valley Press

The music, food and beverages in the tents, venues and along the streets is what Musikfest, through Aug. 11 on the north side and south side of Bethlehem, is all about.

There’s another side to Musikfest, a quieter side, if you will, to be enjoyed off the beaten path, in the shade of historic areas and inside the thick stone buildings of Bethlehem.

The quieter side has made some big noise.

The “other side of Musikfest” is especially pertinent now that Moravian Church Settlements has been inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

The announcement was made during the World Heritage Committee meeting July 21-31, New Delhi, India.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), an agency of the United Nations, promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem; Gracehill, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, and Herrnhut, Germany, join Christiansfeld, Denmark, the latter inscribed in 2015, as a single World Heritage site.

It’s said to be the first Transnational, Serial Nomination put forth by the United States.

The Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem is the 26th World Heritage site in the United States.

With its intact core of original buildings, Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem has some of the most important structures and sites relating to the Moravians in the New World and is significant as an outstanding example of Moravian architecture and town planning. The settlement dates to 1741, the founding of Bethlehem. It’s been said to be “the largest stand of Germanic-American architecture in continuous use in America.”

“Today’s historic designation is a testament to everyone who has walked the grounds and made the Moravian settlement a part of Bethlehem’s foundation,” LoriAnn Wukitsch, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites President & CEO, said in a July 26 press release.

The Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem which spans 10 acres includes nine structures, four ruins and God’s Acre cemetery in the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Landmark District, one of only eight Landmark Districts in Pennsylvania and one of approximately 200 in the United States.

Among the sites:

• The 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem, which houses the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem;
• The 1762 Waterworks, Colonial Industrial Quarter, an American Society of Civil Engineers Historic Civil Engineering and American Water landmark, as America’s first pumped municipal water system

The UNESCO World Heritage List inscription is expected to boost cultural tourism in Bethlehem, attracting visitors from around the world to experience the history, architecture and Moravian traditions. Local museums, historic sites and festivals are likely to draw larger crowds, further strengthening Bethlehem’s position as a cultural destination.

“Summer is the perfect time to experience the Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem,” said Lindsey Jancay, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Vice President & Managing Director. “Our Historic Bethlehem Walking Tours with a costumed, certified docent are a real step back in time. Or, visitors can tour at their own pace with the self-guided Heritage Trail, a great way to experience over 275 years of history in our community.”

There’s no better time to see why these sites warrant the UNESCO World Heritage List inscription than during Musikfest 2024.

Historic Bethlehem Musikfest activities, free unless otherwise noted, include:

Luckenbach Mill First Floor, Souvenir Store, Aug. 2-11: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Luckenbach Mill Second Floor, Lehigh Art Alliance Exhibition, Aug. 2-11: noon-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Historic Pub Walking Tour, Departs from 501 Main St., Aug 2-4, 9: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. Ticket required, available online

Love, Lust & Marriage Walking Tour, Departs Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St., Aug 2, 9: 1 p.m. Ticket required, available online

Heart & Soul: Music in Moravian Bethlehem Walking Tour, Departs Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St., Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11: 1 p.m. Ticket required, available online

Historic Bethlehem Heritage Trail, virtual, available 24/7. Six links, 80 stations and three centuries of history

Goundie Garden Retro Dance Party, 501 Main St., Aug, 2, 9: 6-10 p.m. Nite Liters LLC and Soul Latineers bring back a 1970s-style garden party with vinyl record spinning, a lounge area and vendors.

Blacksmith Shop, Colonial Industrial Quarter, 1750 Smithy blacksmith or tinsmith demonstrations, Aug. 2-11, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Shropp Dry Goods Shoppe, 505 Main St., Aug. 2-11: 10 a.m.-7p.m. Monday.-Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Goudie House Welcome Center, 501 Main St., Aug. 2-11, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Colonial Craft Demonstrations, Colonial Industrial Quarter, Moravian Museum courtyard

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