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.
Our World Heritage efforts center around restoring, upgrading the infrastructure, and beautifying our assets—the historic buildings and sites in our care. Safe and accessible buildings to comfortably accommodate our local and international visitors are critical. At the same time, our treasured buildings must be preserved so they continue to meet the World Heritage requirements for authenticity and integrity. We have prioritized the most urgent needs to be addressed in the next two to three years at all of our sites.
Key Projects Include:
1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House Project
The Grist Miller’s House was the last remaining unrestored building in the National Heritage Landmark District. It had been propped up by steel beams for over 20 years. It is home to the Ralph Schwarz Center for Colonial Industries where visitors will be introduced to the Colonial Industrial Quarter. Central to the project is the creation of the Overlook on History, a glass overlook that will allow visitors and school groups the opportunity to view the entire Colonial Industrial Quarter. Learn more.
By 1747, thirty-five crafts, trades, and industries were established including a butchery, tawery, clockmaker, tinsmith, blacksmith, silversmith, tannery, nailor, pewterer, hatter, cooper, dye house, community bakery, candlemaker, linen bleachery, fulling mill, saddlery, tailor, cobbler, flax processing, wheelwright, carpenter, mason, and potter.
1869 Luckenbach Mill Elevator Replacement Update
The elevator in the 1869 Luckenbach Mill was over 35 years old and while it was still safe, it was no longer as reliable as it once was. We replaced the elevator to ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, has access to the second-floor gallery and classroom space, as well as our archives and research library housed on the third floor. The elevator will also provide accessibility to the 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House. Each year, the Mill hosts the Lehigh Valley Art Alliance’s juried exhibitions in addition to being a collaborative space for local artists to highlight and share their artistic endeavors with the community. It is also used for school programming—our Handmade in the Eighteenth-Century program provides an active learning experience for students about colonial trades and industries with an emphasis on science and technology of the period. The program begins at the Luckenbach Mill. Through hands-on experiential learning activities, students build their interdisciplinary foundational skills in the fields of science, mathematics, historical studies and communication.
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.
Appreciated Securities & Mutual Funds
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.
