Rooms To View House & Garden Tour preview
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ 31st annual event showcases inspiring Lehigh Valley homes and distinctive designs
BETHLEHEM, PA., APRIL 28, 2023 — Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites welcomes you to celebrate the decorative arts by experiencing some of the Lehigh Valley’s most breathtaking homes, amazing architecture, and ornate gardens.
For 31 years, the Rooms to View House & Garden Tour has been the premier spring fundraising event for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.
The nonprofit organization draws inspiration from decades of tour events for a showstopping offering that highlights the history, beauty, and innovations of some of the most unique places and spaces in the area.
The popular weekend event kicks off with a special Preview Party on Friday, June 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center Valley home of David and Jane Noel.
Tickets for the Preview Party and the House & Garden Tour are $135. Tickets for Saturday’s House & Garden Tour are $35 for HBMS members and $45 for non-members and are available at historicbethlehem.org.
All proceeds help Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites to maintain 20 historic landmarks and bring history to life through engaging tours, programs, exhibitions and events.
At David and Jane Noel’s Villa Verde property, guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Lehigh Valley — complete with perfectly manicured landscaping, uniquely-styled décor, and special architectural touches.
At the Noel’s Villa Verde property, guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Lehigh Valley — complete with perfectly manicured landscaping, uniquely-styled décor, and special architectural touches.
The Noels purchased Villa Verde in late 2017, then expanded and reimagined the property. Christine Ussler of Artefact redesigned the front façade, added to the garage and laundry/pantry, and created a grand atrium that connects all three levels with stairs and an elevator.
Scott Rothenberger of PLACE designed the courtyard at the home entrance, the hardscape was installed by Made in Shade and the interior redesigns are by Decoration Unlimited.
Friday’s Preview Party includes delicious food by Karen Hunter Catering and live music.
On Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., House & Garden Tour guests can visit nine more spectacular homes in Bethlehem’s historic district and the Lehigh Valley. Tourists can experience some of the area’s most inspiring homes, gardens, patios, kitchens, and distinctive designs.
New this year, guests can also enjoy refreshment stands, pop-up shops, and plants for sale.
After Saturday’s tour, visitors are invited to enjoy a wine and cheese garden reception at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Here, guests can check out HBMS’ new exhibition Unspun: Stories of Silk — a colorful exhibition that begins with the Bethlehem Moravians' attempts to create the world's most luxurious and useful fabric.
Through stories, displays, artwork, and hands-on activities, this display unravels the original manufacturing attempts of local silk makers, and reveals how these efforts influenced this mysterious material's magical journey from Bethlehem’s Church Street to the global marketplace.
The exhibition is presented in part through funding from the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation.
“The 31st annual Rooms to View House & Garden Tour event is a wonderful opportunity to explore the beauty and history of Bethlehem and beyond,” said LoriAnn Wukitsch, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites President & CEO.
“It would not be possible without the generous support of the homeowners, who are opening their doors to our visitors. We thank these generous hosts for their commitment to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and our mission to preserve and share the history of our amazing city,” Wukitsch added.
Among Saturday’s featured locations is the handsome homestead of Bob and Jeannie Hunsicker along Black River Road in Bethlehem. The Hunsickers purchased the property in 1975.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to our home and Sheepy Hollow farm,” Bob Hunsicker said.
“When we moved here, the main stone house was 53 feet by 24 feet. With five active children, two additions were later added. We love it! The stone country kitchen, wood frame carriage shed, and corncrib were part of our original purchase,” he added.
“Our bank barn (with forebay) was originally built near Springtown, at the junction of Routes 212 and 412, circa 1830. The red barn was moved to our location and restored by builder Joel Leh in 2022,” Hunsicker explained.
Leh is expected to make a special appearance at the Hunsicker’s on Saturday — while guests enjoy live music, shop the HBMS pop-up store, and explore the authentic farm.
The Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ Rooms to View House & Garden Tour is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors.
Presenting sponsor Quadrant Private Wealth; Preview Soiree sponsors David & Jane Noel and Argyle Capital Management, Inc.; Major sponsors Lost Tavern, Lehigh Valley Style, Working Dog Press, Scott Rothenberger’s PLACE, and OneGroup. The full sponsor list can be found on the Rooms To View House and Garden Tour webpage.
ROOMS TO VIEW HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR
Where: Homes and gardens in Historic Bethlehem and Center Valley
When: Preview Night Friday, June 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and House & Garden Tours Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How much: $35 for members and $45 for non-members
Tickets: Friday's Preview Night and Saturday's House Tour Saturday's House & Garden Tour
Info: [email protected] 610-882-0450
