Visit Us
Walk through history as we guide you to things to learn, places to discover, and events that help connect us to our rich heritage.
Help us create an outstanding visitor experience at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. We need your support to improve visitor amenities, expand historical interpretation and programs and increase visitor capacity. We especially look forward to interactive exhibits that will further our storytelling to serve a new generation of visitors, as well as those who speak other languages.
Illuminating Our Colonial History
To create a world-class visitor experience in the Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ), we plan to replace exterior interpretive signage to provide a visitors with an entry point to the history of the CIQ. We will install new landscaping and replace the existing stairs and pathways. Finally, replacing the exterior lighting and illuminating the buildings and ruins will create a striking entrance to the Historic District from the Hill-to-Hill Bridge (378 North) and enhance the visual appeal of the CIQ after dark.
Shining a Light on the Hidden Gems
The 1762 Waterworks, recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and an American Water Landmark, was the first pumped municipal water system in America. The Nain-Schober House is the only extant 18th century building that was built by and lived in by Native Peoples in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Single Sisters’ House had dormitories, a chapel, a dining room, a kitchen and work areas for handicrafts. Today, these buildings are open to visitors rarely and are only partially interpreted. The Taking the World Stage Capital Campaign will provide funding to interpret these sites and to have them open more frequently. Help us bring the National Historic District to life!
Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe
We have transformed the 1810 Goundie House/Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe complex on Main Street into an Experience Center. Visitors can tour the 1810 Goundie House, built by Moravian town brewer and businessman John Sebastian Goundie, and learn about the historical significance of the two buildings that made up our former Visitor Center.
Ways to Give
For information on the many ways you can help support Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ mission and work in the community, please contact:
Gifts of Cash
Gifts of cash may be made over a period of time or as a one-time gift. A schedule of pledge payments may be arranged according to your needs.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
You can reduce or even eliminate your federal capital gains taxes by donating appreciated securities or mutual funds that you have held more than one year. Please let us know the name of the stock or mutual fund you are donating and the number of shares being transferred so that we can record and acknowledge your gift as soon as possible. The value of your gifts is based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. Securities will be converted to fiat (funds) immediately.
For more details on donating appreciated stock, please contact Director of Development Kristen Walsh, or call 610-882-0450 ext. 218.
IRAs and Retirement Plans
Make the most of your IRA or retirement plan. If you are age 70 1/2 or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA or retirement account to Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. A QCD can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), while also reducing your taxable income, potentially lowering the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits and even decreasing Medicare premiums.
Best of all, your gift makes a lasting difference – preserving Bethlehem’s World Heritage story, protecting historic landmarks and enriching the lives of thousands of students and visitors each year.
For more details on donating appreciated stock, please contact Director of Development Kristen Walsh, or call 610-882-0450 ext. 218.
Estate Gifts
Estate gifts are another way to make a gift. One of the easiest ways to do this is by naming Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement fund. You may also plan a gift by bequest in your will or other written estate plan.
Tribute Gifts
Tribute gifts may be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. We will work with you to acknowledge your gift in a way that is meaningful to you.
