Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites | Discover Lehigh Valley

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Mapped location of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites

505 Main St. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018

(610) 691-6055

Overview

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is a not-for-profit institution that brings to life three centuries of American history. The story of Historic Moravian Bethlehem follows a community rich with European influence as it makes its mark on colonial America and grows into a city embracing tradition and life.

The mission of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is to bring history to the forefront by educating the public about Bethlehem's rich heritage, preserving historic sites and collecting, preserving, and exhibiting historical and artistic objects to tell the stories of Bethlehem's people.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites establishes itself as the premier historical organization in our region by presenting, powerfully and credibly, Bethlehem's unique history. Well maintained buildings and sites, collections that are accessible through exhibits and for research, and educational programs designed to engage diverse members of the community will engender a sense of place that connects one generation to another, showing the zeal and commitment of Bethlehem's Moravian founders and the strength and foresight of the industrial community in forging our American nation.

They offer a variety of tours, programming, and events throughout the year to raise funds to preserve Bethlehem’s historic ambience, including 20 historic buildings, 20 acres of land, 40,000 artifacts, two National Historic landmarks, and countless stories. The region is very proud that Historic Moravian Bethlehem has been nominated to the 2016 U.S. Tentative List for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites invites you to visit any time of the year and discover how this city became a national historic treasure. Discover how blast furnaces worked on the Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel tour and hear the stories of the men and women who worked there on a guided tour. Experience the city’s historic colonial and Victorian-era architecture on an Old Bethlehem Walking Tour. And, take in the workings of an 18th-century farm, Burnside Plantation, Bethlehem’s 6 ½-acre “Farm in the City” during one of their events. Or, create your own custom tour experience in Historic Bethlehem.

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
1750 Smithy
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

Please Note: Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites has different operating plans for their different facilities. Visit their website for updates and more information. Some buildings are not handicap accessible due to keeping the authenticity of the structure. Parking is easiest in the Walnut St. Garage at 33 W. Walnut St.

Virtual Programming

HBMS continues their "Free Sundays at the Museum" programming in a digital format. Each week, they'll send out a newsletter with fun activities that kids can do at home. Plus, they've turned some of Bethlehem's most famous structures into coloring pages.