Historic gem restored: Grist Miller’s House reopens in Bethlehem

April 30th, 2025 | In The News

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After sitting empty for more than two decades, a hidden historic gem in Bethlehem is once again opening its doors to the public.

Thanks to a passionate effort to preserve local history, the Grist Miller’s House, originally built in 1782, has been restored and is now welcoming visitors. The house once served as home to the man who operated the nearby mill, a central figure in Moravian communities.

“I am euphoric,” said LoriAnn Wukitsch, President & CEO of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

Brother Ted Moyer, the organization’s lead storyteller, knows the history well and dresses the part.

“I’m wearing Moravian business casual: a waist coat, britches, and this beautiful wide-brimmed hat,” Moyer said with a smile. “The grist miller was a very important person in any community.”

For the past 20 years, though, the house stood silent. Its structure was so compromised that steel beams were required to hold it together.

“It was very close to collapsing,” Wukitsch recalled.

But the restoration comes at a particularly special moment. Bethlehem recently earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—bringing renewed global attention to its history and preservation efforts.

“We have more eyes on us locally, regionally, and throughout the globe,” said Wukitsch.

Every room in the Grist Miller’s House tells a story—of the trades and industries that built Bethlehem from the ground up. Visitors can even see crafted leather shoes and other historical artifacts on display.

And the restoration work isn’t over yet. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites plans to recreate a historic walkway that once connected the Grist Miller’s House to the neighboring Luckenbach Mill.

In the meantime, the public is invited to a free open house Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m.

People can also take part in ticketed walking tours.

Watch the video at WFMZ.com

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