Founded in 1741 by a group of Moravians looking for a place to settle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is full of historical sites. This town is situated just southeast of the Lehigh airport, with the Lehigh River running through the center. Whether you’re visiting the area or a long-time resident of a nearby town, the historic sites of Bethlehem offer the chance to step back in time and learn more about the early days of America. Here are five of the most interesting spots to visit.
Moravian Museum of Bethlehem
In the heart of historic Bethlehem, the Moravian Museum celebrates and teaches about the rich history of the area’s first settlers. Walk through the Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in town and a National Historic Landmark. Exhibits and tours are regularly changing, so there’s always something new to see and learn. Check the website for the schedule.
Take the apothecary tour, a currently running tour, to learn about how the people of the 1700s managed their health and healed the sick. This tour will walk you through medical innovations of the area throughout 200 years.
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
Chock full of preserved pieces from hundreds of years ago, the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts showcases the changing styles from the mid-1750s through current times. Tour a collection with items like antique porcelain plates and walls filled with paintings by local artists.
A current exhibit, the Behind-the-Scenes Dollhouse Tour, takes visitors through their new Collections Resource Center, built to maintain the perfect climate for antique preservation. Intricate dollhouses from European artisans show the changes in architecture, personal style, and decor since the 1800s in different cultures.
National Museum of Industrial History
In partnership with the Smithsonian, the National Museum of Industrial History is home to loads of historic machinery and interesting exhibits. With more than 200 artifacts from different industries throughout the years, this museum encourages visitors to think about the growth of our nation from the perspective of industrial innovation.
In this steel facility turned museum, you’ll see displays on the growth of steel, textiles, and much more throughout the past couple hundred years. Visit soon to see the current exhibit on the works of a local artist of the Lehigh Valley, Peter Maier.
Burnside Plantation
For a first-hand look into farm life during the late 1700s and early 1800s, visit Burnside Plantation. Here you’ll find over six acres of beautiful land and the only high horse-powder wheel still operating in the country.
Ironton Rail Trail
The historic Ironton Railroad has been turned into a multi-purpose trail stretching over 9 miles. Tie up your walking shoes, or hop on a bike and travel through history while enjoying the beautiful outdoors and the sounds of Coplay Creek. Sites along the trail include a turn-of-the-century concrete phone booth and restored rail cars.
Be sure to add these places to your must-see list next time you’re in the Bethlehem area or a looking for a weekend activity.
Bethlehem, PA via Flickr by KathrynW1 and used under CC BY / Cropped From Original
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