What’s Nearby? (Bethlehem)
The city of Bethlehem, was founded by members of The Moravian Church in 1741. There are three general sections of the city, North Bethlehem, South Bethlehem and West Bethlehem. Each of these sections blossomed at different times in the city’s development and each contains areas recognized under the National Register of Historic Places.
- Exploring Bethlehem’s rich heritage should begin with a stop at the visitor’s center. Here you can arrange a variety of tours from walking to segway, whether self-guided or group tours one of the favorite stops include the Moravian Book Shop. The Moravian Book Shop was established in 1745, it is the oldest continuously running bookseller in the world. The store offers not only books but dining, greeting cards, candies, unique local items such as Moravian Stars and Stars of Bethlehem.
- The downtown area is home to many original structures from the 1700s and early 1800s including a water works, tannery and grain mill. A region rich in historic sites and museums, including the Burnside Plantation, The Sun Inn, 1751 Old Chapel, 1810 Goundie House, the Brethren’s House, Colonial Industrial Quarter and the Central Moravian Church and Moravian Museum and the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. The collections, exhibitions and educational programs of the Kemerer Museum tell the story of the Lehigh Valley region throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. The 1741 Gemeinhaus, Bethlehem’s oldest building and a National Historic Landmark, houses a museum that tells the stories of the Moravian settlers of Bethlehem. The building served as home, school, church, and workspace during the community’s earliest days.
- The Moravian Archives collects, preserves and makes available the historical records of the Moravian Church in America, Northern Province. Vault tours are available, which hold the earliest Moravian church records in America, including the Bethlehem Diary. It houses Moravian records, special exhibit offerings including a gallery of prints and paintings, with over 20,000 books. This veritable collection offers a true historical representation of the Moravian faith and the area.
- As you stroll down Main Street, in the center of town you will find The Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Restored to its original 1922 grandeur, adorned with Palladian windows and large murals by artist George Grey. The seven large murals retell the history of Bethlehem, from its founding by Moravian brethren to its position as an industrial center.
- The Star of Bethlehem, lit year round, looks down over the city from atop South Mountain. You will be delighted during the Holiday Season as Historic Bethlehem, known as “Christmas City “, comes alive with lights and sounds of the season. It is transformed into a magical place that glows with its extensive, yet tasteful, holiday lighting. Experience the Moravian Community Putzes or take a horse drawn carriage ride. Listen to the beautiful Christmas music, shop the many unique stores & boutiques or visit the wonderful Christmas Market. Historic Bethlehem’s tours, sites and programs are a great way to reflect upon your own meaning of the holidays while immersed in Bethlehem’s quiet beauty.
- Today, Bethlehem is renowned for its many annual community festivals, events and celebrations, from Visual Arts to Performing Arts. Enjoy over five hundred musical performances at Bethlehem’s Annual Musikfest, held for 10 days every August on 14 indoor and outdoor stages with over 300 musical performances. It is one of the largest free music festivals in the United States and attracts more than a million visitors.
- In addition to Musikfest, experience the Celtic Classic, The Bach Festival, Blueberry Festival, South Side Film Festival, The Lehigh Valley Food and Wine Festival, The Harvest Festival and many more entertaining venues.
- ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory is a dynamic cultural arts and education center located in historic Bethlehem, PA. The building features 63,000-square feet of space that are home to three art galleries. The Fowler Arts and Education Center, Glass Works and Olympus Digital Imaging Center are just a few that feature a collection of media in various forms with a plethora of educational opportunities. ArtsQuest is among five recipients of the prestigious Governors Awards for the Arts.
- Founded in 1865 by Asa Packer, an industrial pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist , Lehigh University is among the most selective, highly ranked private research universities in the U.S. The incredible selections of art and culture can be perused by visitors to the University. The Art Galleries maintain a permanent collection of over 9,000 objects. Approximately 20 exhibits a year on three campuses introduce contemporary topics in art and culture. The Exhibition schedule includes gallery talks, lectures and workshops.
- Discover Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center where an assortment of diverse venues is offered. Lehigh University, represents an environment where artists and students of the arts develop and learn; to educate, captivates and inspires performers and audiences by presenting a variety of high-quality performing arts events. Highlights of seasons past and present include: the New York Philharmonic , Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Marvin Hamlisch & Joel Grey, MOMIX, Cirque Éloize ID, “Monty Python’s Spamalot”, Lily Tomlin, Bernadette Peters, Queen Latifah and Natalie Cole. Special Holiday performances such as The Nutcracker Ballet and the Bach Choir are family favorites. Free lectures and other presentations deliver an opportunity to engage with unique artists, authors, poets and other literary scribes in a collegial atmosphere.
- The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest Bach choir in America. Founded in 1898, The Bach Choir gave the first complete performances in the United States of The Mass in B Minor and The Christmas Oratorio. Today’s performances feature the finely-honed vocal ensemble, a fully professional orchestra, and world-renowned soloists. The repertoire includes 133 cantatas, all of the motets, and 15 of Bach’s larger works.
- Touchstone Theatre brings a creation of original work with educational programs to inspire students of all ages. The productions promise to be an amazing night of theatre you won’t see anywhere else in the Lehigh Valley. Presenting such local jems as “ The Christmas City Follies “, invigorate and foster creative expression.
- The city’s Southside features eclectic restaurants, shops and art galleries. On the First Friday of every month, participating members of the Downtown Bethlehem Association in SouthSide, stay open late and host a monthly celebration featuring music, refreshments, art exhibits, in-store specials and more. They also host the ‘ Just Desserts Festival ’ every year for the indulgent nature in everyone.
- Experience the finest community productions by the best regional performers at The Pennsylvania Playhouse, on Illicks Mill Road in the City of Bethlehem. An intimate theatre where no seat is more than 9 rows from the stage. Productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Odd Couple, Into the Woods, Oliver, Sweet Charity and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels have delighted a variety of audiences.
- Bethlehem became a center of heavy industry and trade during the industrial revolution. Bethlehem Steel, founded in 1857, began producing the first wide-flange structural shapes made in the United States. The company was the first to produce the now-ubiquitous “I-beam” used in construction of steel-framed buildings, including skyscrapers. It manufactured construction materials for numerous New York and other city skyscrapers, as well as major bridges .The company was a major supplier of armor plate and ordnance products during World War I and World War II, including the manufacture of 1100 warships. After roughly 140 years of metal production at its Bethlehem plant, Bethlehem Steel ceased operations there in 1995. Today, on the site where Bethlehem Steel once operated, sits the Sand Casino and Resort featuring slots, gaming tables, top name and local entertainment, shopping and an eclectic mix of fine cuisines, such as Emeril’s Chop House, St. James Gate Irish Pub and the Carnegie Deli. The design and décor is reminiscent of the Steel Mill with its industrial appearance imaging the steel beams and furnaces. The casino and entertainment complex takes up just a small portion of the 124-acre site. The Sands also preserved 22 buildings from the original site and is committed to building a museum that honors the mill’s history.
- The sport enthusiasts will certainly enjoy watching the “ Philadelphia Eagles “ practice at Lehigh University’s Goodman Stadium, their summer home. Lehigh’s Stabler Arena is now home to the “ Steelhawks “, adding Indoor Football to a variety of yearly events.
- Recreation abounds with Bethlehem’s 39 park sites, encompassing 568 acres. Among the city’s parks are Buchannan Park, Elmwood Park, Illick’s Mill Park, Johnston Park, Monocacy Park, Rockland Park, Rose Garden, Sand Island, Saucon Park, Sell Field, South Mountain Park, Triangle Park, West Side Park, and Yosko Park. Whether fishing, skating, biking or just a casual stroll are your type of activity, you’ll even find some friendly dog walking parks.
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