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.
Burnside featured at Lehigh Valey Open Gate Farm Tour this weekend. Learn more now!
Your friends, family, and colleagues will be talking about your celebration for years to come! From wedding ceremonies / receptions, cocktail hours, and corporate gatherings, to birthday and retirement parties — our unique assortment of venues make special occasions extraordinary.
Select the ideal venue to host your special day while contributing to support Bethlehem’s historic sites, and educational and preservation efforts.
Additional time can be added for $150 per hour, subject to availability.
*All outdoor locations MUST be tented and provided for through Approved Vendors only.
A variety of historic buildings provides beautiful backdrops in the Colonial Industrial Quarter. This diverse and exciting venue easily accommodates all your needs. Host an outdoor ceremony in the Colonial Industrial Quarter and cocktail hour or reception inside the Luckenbach Mill. Parties and corporate events at this rustic, historical venue make memories shine.
Capacity:
Maximum of 350 people for outside tented functions
Maximum of 50 people in Springhouse (some heat, ceiling fans, no air conditioning)
Maximum of 30 people seated or 50 standing on first floor of Luckenbach Mill (HVAC)
Maximum 125 people seated or 200 people standing on second floor of Luckenbach Mill (HVAC)
*Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis and is not secured until the deposit is received.
Unlike any other venue, Burnside Plantation is the ideal outdoor location to host your special occasion!
Burnside is surrounded by beautiful gardens and towering trees and provides a gorgeous setting for large events. The meadows, majestic landscapes, and rustic barns create picture-perfect moments. Make it a party to remember!
Capacity:
*Availability is based on a first-come, first served basis and is not secured until the deposit is received.
Art, textiles, and history add ambiance to small, intimate events.
The Kemerer Museum has various ways to fascinate your discerning guests! From small weddings to corporate celebrations, it offers a transitioning art exhibit on two floors and a glorious patio area outside. The Kemerer additionally serves as beautiful cocktail hour site after a ceremony at the Moravian Museum’s Saal.
Capacity:
*Availability of this rental space is limited and based on a first-come, first served basis. Nothing is secured until a deposit is received.
Housed inside the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the Moravian Museum introduces guests to the earliest history of the Bethlehem community.
Vows have been exchanged in the historic Saal of the Gemeinhaus since colonial times! Storied halls and the Moravian’s first place of worship offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Dive into history after a ceremony or gathering by adding a personalized group tour for a real treat!
Capacity:
*Availability of this rental space is limited and based on a first come, first served basis. Nothing is secured until a deposit is received.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites have a venue for every occasion! Host a Sweet 16 or themed children’s party to make your child’s day extra special.
The Luckenbach Mill is an ideal facility for Bat Mitzvahs, Bar Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras, Quinces, and Sweet 16’s!
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: $1,000 rental fee, $150 per additional hour
Subject to availability.
Celebrate your children’s birthday party in the Wonderland Tea Room!
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $500 for up to 10 children (12 and under) and 4 adults, $50 per additional hour
Please bring your own lunch and/or cake.
We understand the importance of finding the right vendors for your special event. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, we highly recommend using our list of Required Vendors who are familiar with our sites and our approach. However, we also understand that you may have your preferred vendor who is not on the list. Don't worry, we are more than happy to consider them. Simply reach out to us in advance so we can pre-approve them. Please note that there might be a small fee associated with using a vendor not on our list. We are here to make your experience wonderful, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further assistance.
HBMS provides a list of vendors to help meet all your catering and event rental needs! Required Vendors must be used as they are familiar with the sites. Anyone off the list must be pre-approved and will incur a fee.
In need of a Photographer or DJ? HBMS highly suggests these vendors who are well versed on our sites.
1. All outdoor events must be tented, thus, the client must contact Required Vendors for tenting.
2. Contracting with a caterer from our Required Vendors and securing bar and server staffing.
3. Procuring supplies such as tables, chairs, place settings, glassware, linens, etc. from Required Vendors if not rented through HBMS
4. Contracting other vendors, for example florists, photographers, musicians, etc., if not selected from HBMS’s list of Preferred Vendors require a certificate of insurance.
Available dates are not guaranteed until payment is received. For weddings and receptions, a $2,000 deposit is required at time of booking, and remaining balances are due 30 days later. For ceremonies and small events, payments are due in full at time of booking. Please note that rental payments are non-refundable.
We offer a list of Required and Preferred Vendors to aide renters. All catering, tenting, and rentals must be selected from our list of Required Vendors.
Our list of Preferred Vendors contains reputable companies that we work with and are familiar with our sites. If a service is needed that is not listed on the Preferred Vendor List then the renter may be allowed to go outside of the Preferred Vendor List with prior approval from the Site Rental Coordinator. Outside vendors must provide a certificate of liability insurance naming Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites as an additional insure. This certificate must be provided to HBMS at least four weeks prior to your event. Event Planners are highly encouraged.
We offer a variety of items and packages available for an additional charge. Ask your event venues coordinator for more information.
Set up for Wedding/Receptions: You are provided with 2-4 hours of set up time (depending on the venue). Wedding parties are encouraged to schedule between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Rental item delivery by vendors, set up, decorating, and wedding rehearsals may take place during this time frame. HBMS Staff does not set up the layout nor break down events. Renters are responsible for breakdown and removing all personal belongings from inside facilities (decorations, food, furniture, etc.). Rehearsal ceremonies are available at 4pm-5pm the day prior to the wedding subject to availability.
*Renters are responsible for all delivery and pick-ups and must coordinate these in advance with HBMS staff.
Day of Event: Set up and use of prep spaces (for bridal party and groomsmen only) may begin no earlier than 12pm and all personal belongings must be removed from said spaces at the closure of the event. Wedding and receptions last 5 hours, ending no later than 10pm. All food, catering, and bar service-related items must be removed from the facility at the conclusion of the function. Clean up is 1 hour following the event. All trash must be thrown out. Anything left behind will be disposed of. Within 48 hours of event, any items left behind will become the property of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. Any items left behind that are a cost for HBMS to remove will result in a full loss of the renter’s security deposit.
Hourly events are provided with same day set up and tear down. Hourly events are provided with 1 hour of event set up and 1 hour of tear down time.
HBMS is not liable for any inclement weather. Should the situation arise, you are responsible for determining a backup rain plan (ex: tenting). Please determine your backup plan and confirm with our Event Venues Coordinator 90 days before the event date.
Yes. Alcoholic beverages may be dropped off during the set-up schedule but cannot be moved to the designated bar area until 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. Please note, all alcohol must be served by a RAMP certified employee who is insured.
You may hire your own bartender outside of selected catering services. We require a copy of the bartender’s valid certification four weeks before the event. Shots are prohibited on HBMS property, failure to comply will void the security deposit.
Smoking is prohibited in and near the buildings. A designated smoking area with sand buckets may be accepted, only with prior approval from the venue.
Placement of flowers or decoration and location of bar and food service must be arranged in advance. This includes items hung on the inside or outside of the structures located on the site. Only thumb tacks will be permitted. Any items “tossed” at the event (i.e. birdseed, flower petals, bubbles) must disintegrate immediately or be safe for wildlife and the environment.
Fireworks and candles are prohibited. All sparklers require written approval from HBMS and a fire permit from the city beforehand. Sparklers are only permitted outside at Burnside Plantation & Colonial Industrial Quarter, and must be away from all buildings. HBMS reserves the right to prohibit the use depending on weather or other conditions.
Family-friendly dogs are allowed on the property on-leash. Please bring pick-up bags to clean up after your pet. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings.
Restrooms are available at all Historic Bethlehem event venues. Burnside Plantation’s restrooms can accommodate groups under 150. For groups larger than 150 including all guests, vendors, site personnel, facility trailers or portables are required at Burnside Plantation. Facility trailers and portables should be purchased through a required vendor.
Ready to create a little history of your own?
We’re ready to help! Celebrating a big birthday? How about an anniversary? Need a professional space for a business meeting or a stunning setting for your wedding day? Each event venue has its own unique charm and personality that caters to a variety of event types.
We look forward to creating an extraordinary event with you!
Contact our Event Rental/Custom Tour Manager, Malissa Grimsley, at 610.882.0450 ext. 13.
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