St. Patrick’s Day at the Burnside Plantation

One of the most unique locations cared for by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is the iconic Burnside Plantation. This 6.5-acre farm gives visitors a snapshot of 18th and 19th-century agricultural life. James Burnside, a Moravian missionary from County Meath, Ireland, built the farmhouse with his wife Mary in 1748. It was the first private home in the Bethlehem settlement. 

Although St. Patrick’s Day was not celebrated in those centuries, James and Mary regularly cooked Irish delicacies. Some of these original recipes, which they referred to as “receipts,” are in the Moravian Archives. If they did celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, these Irish stew and Irish pancake receipts would have been a great addition to the menu! 

As we enjoy warmer weather in the Lehigh Valley, we look forward to our festivities at the Burnside Plantation. On May 4, 2024, we kick off Saturdays at Burnside, which takes place on the first Saturday of every month through (and including) October.