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Lehigh Valley Live: A walk back in time
August 23rd, 2021 | In The News
Written by Susan Bloom for Lehigh Valley Live
It’s often said that a look back at our history can reveal so much about our present.
Nothing could be truer as it relates to “The Moravian Legacy,” a fascinating new exhibit on display at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites in Bethlehem. Exploring the day-to-day lives, livelihoods and values of early Moravian settlers in Bethlehem, the exhibit helps highlight how the renowned 18th-19th century settlement has impacted and informed the thriving Bethlehem community today.
Established in 1993, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites interprets three centuries of the history and culture of Bethlehem, including its founding as a Moravian community in 1741. According to Lindsey Jancay, director of Collections & Programming at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, “New digital findings, translations and records that have emerged on the Moravians during the pandemic have added additional detail and color to our understanding of a community that’s been a vital part of the fabric of modern-day Bethlehem.”
Unearthing Untold Stories
Housed in the oldest remaining building in Bethlehem — the circa-1741 Gemeinhaus — “the beauty of our museum space is that people can learn about early Moravian Bethlehem in the very place it occurred,” Jancay said. “The building has such a rich history already and the artifacts shared in the exhibit further tell the story of early Bethlehem — from the Moravians’ high-quality craftsmanship and innovative spirit to their global approach and commitment to equality and inclusivity.”
Originating in Saxony, Germany, and standing as one of America’s earliest Protestant organizations, “one of the things that’s so impressive about the Moravians and their history is how widespread they were; a big part of their legacy is their mission work, which spanned six continents, and Bethlehem was part of their mission,” said Jancay, noting that some of the largest Moravian communities today are in Tanzania.
With 98% of the museum’s collection donated by community members, “’The Moravian Legacy” exhibit is located throughout the museum and is dedicated to unearthing untold stories, Jancay said. “We work hard to enable people to immerse themselves within an authentic space and each of our many themed rooms offers robust displays of objects that transport you back in time. Our trades room, for example, features an array of period objects related to the diversity of production in the Moravian settlement, including pottery, brass, fine silver, woodworking and artifacts related to the tannery, blacksmith and tinsmith trades,” she said. Nearby, “A school-themed room features a Moravian classroom and includes actual tables children sat at, books they read and gifts young girls made for each other.”
Other themed rooms within the exhibit are dedicated to travel, missions, music and musical crafts, peace and politics, and health care. “Moravians were very interested in and well-educated on health care,” Jancay said. “In addition to establishing an apothecary in the settlement, they demonstrated one of earliest instances of the practice of quarantining the sick.”
She said that the exhibit space also features a kitchen/cooking area complete with early handwritten Moravian recipes (including those for some of the cookies, cakes and other sweets for which Moravians are renowned). “Finally, the exhibit features a reading and reflection room designed to let visitors engage with the tools and materials we used to build the exhibit as well as a rotating collection of artifacts that didn’t necessarily fit within the main exhibit but still have great value.”
Relatable, Engaging and Real
Along with those who visit the exhibit based on their personal interest in the topic or connection to the community, “We’ve welcomed many historians doing research as well as a wide variety of musicians, artists and writers based on the Moravians’ unique approach to artistry,” Jancay said. “Our exhibit attracts a diverse group of researchers or those doing genealogy work.”
Currently open on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. and soon to offer additional hours (check the website for updates), “Our tours are led by wonderful docents and guides who share the excitement and stories of the early Moravian community,” Jancay said. “Moravians were prolific documentarians, so there’s a plethora of journal entries, sale logs and other information available on their communities in an array of languages, all of which give us a better understanding of their daily life and priorities.”
Running until at least February 2022, tickets for “The Moravian Legacy” are $12 for a single museum visit. The museum also offers a range of guided and/or mobile walking tours through Old Bethlehem and the Moravian community.
“A big part of how we understand our current community is based on how we understand the past and its foundational moments,” Jancay said of the value of the museum, which is committed to protecting and preserving Bethlehem’s rich Moravian legacy. “The objects in our exhibit are relatable, engaging and real, and guests will truly feel the significance of their own past, present and future when they visit.”
For More Information
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, site of “The Moravian Legacy” exhibit, is located at 66 W. Church St. in Bethlehem and can be reached by calling 610-691-6055 or by visiting historicbethlehem.org.
