Rooms-to-View: Tour historic Bethlehem homes

June 4th, 2015 | In The News

June 3, 2015 | In The News

Written by William Gordon for The Morning Call

What do a wig closet, a dumbwaiter and an alpaca farm have in common?

They can be seen on the 23rd annual Rooms-to-View self-guided tour Saturday.

Organized by Historical Bethlehem Museums and Sites, the tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes nine historic houses and two other properties. Some highlights:

*A 1790 stone farmhouse in Upper Saucon Township includes a walk-in fireplace and an original closet for wigs in the dining room. The property is now used for an alpaca farm.

*A 1929 stone house on West Union Boulevard with a working dumbwaiter — used to transport food from floor to floor.

*A colonial home on Prospect Avenue with a button under the dining room table (used to summon servants.) This house was designed by local 19th century architect A.W. Leh, whose work includes buildings on Lehigh University’s campus.

There is a Preview Soiree 6-9 p.m. Friday with live music from jazz pianist Alex Gergar and hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Karen Hunter Catering.

After the tour on Saturday, there will be a garden party 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Miller’s House Garden behind the Lukenbach Mill.

Tickets: $35, tour; $85, preview party, includes tour; $20, garden reception. Info: historicbethlehem.org, 610-882-0450, ext. 16.

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