1750 Smithy

Overview

Put History in Your Hands at the 1750 Smithy, Blacksmith Shop in Historic Moravian Bethlehem.

Blacksmithing was one of the most important trades in Colonial America, since smiths made or repaired tools, kitchen utensils, weapons, agricultural implements, and household items. The Smithy was built in 1750 expanded in 1761 and a second floor added. The Smithy had workrooms and forges for the nail-smith, locksmith, blacksmith, tinsmith, gunsmith, and gunstock maker.

The building stood until the early 20^th century when it was dismantled and converted into brownstone dwellings which were later demolished. In 2004, the Smithy was reconstructed of limestone taken from a local 1700s barn being torn down, and was built on the foundations of the original smithy, thanks to detailed records kept by the Moravians and stored in the Moravian Archives.

The original vaulted cistern is intact. An archaeological report, tools, and metal objects made in the 18^th-century smithy are in the Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites collection. Today, the Smithy is an historic site where trained blacksmiths demonstrate the skills needed to work in a 1700s blacksmith shop.

For hours of operation and tour information click here. To view all of the Historic Sites, click here.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) operates this area. Please check their website for updates and more information on safety practices.

Other HBMS Historical Sites to Tour:

• Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts
• Moravian Museum of Bethlehem
• Nain-Schober House
• Single Sisters’ House
• 1752 Apothecary
• Burnside Plantation; by appointment only

Not to Miss Annual HBMS Events:

• Heritage Trail
• Old Bethlehem Walking Tour
• Death & Dying Cemetery Tour
• Christmas City Stroll
• John Adams Bethlehem Walking Tour
• The 1752 Apothecary Tour
• Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel Walking Tour
  

World Heritage Nomination Progress

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is part of an effort to bring World Heritage Site status to Historic Moravian Bethlehem. As a World Heritage List candidate, Historic Moravian Bethlehem preserves and advances the ageless values of education, equality, industry, integrity and spirituality that have been part of the community since 1741.

Historic Moravian Bethlehem is on a prestigious list of U.S. sites poised to be nominated to the World Heritage List in the coming years, which would place it alongside national treasures including Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty and many more.