Gemeinhaus by Hub Wilson

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites celebrates Bethlehem’s 275^th birthday with a weekend of celebration at the 1741 Gemeinhaus September 18^th & 19^th.  Family activities, the annual Zug Lecture, a preview of a permanent exhibition at the Single Sisters’ House and two days of birthday cake will highlight the celebration of both the 275^th Anniversary of the largest 18^th Century log building in continuous use, the 1741 Gemeinhaus, and the city of Bethlehem’s 275^th birthday.

Family fun activities at the 1741 Gemeinhaus include:  learn to make your own paper Moravian star, dip and dress your own beeswax candle, dress up with our costumed docents, snap a photo at our cutout photo station, enjoy live musical entertainment, tour the original worship spaces of Bethlehem and view the oldest fire engines in the area. Also, visit the Christmas City Artisan Pop-Up Shop which features a collection of artists whose work adds a contemporary twist on such traditional Bethlehem trades as red ware pottery, jewelry, wood turning, soap making, wheat weaving, glass blowing and much more.  Discover how these artisans of today pay homage to the industries of when this fine city was founded.

As an added bonus, step inside the Single Sisters’ House and view the first stage of a permanent exhibition featuring noteworthy women who resided in the Single Sisters’ House during key moments in history.

On Sunday, September 18^th at 2:00pm, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem will host the Annual Jeanette Barres Zug Lecture in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem and a National Historic Landmark.  Tim Noble of Noble Preservation Services will be the guest lecturer to discuss how the 1741 Gemeinhaus was constructed.

In honor of the momentous 275^th celebrations, the Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites has kicked off the 275^th Anniversary Community Heritage Campaign.  They are on our way to our campaign goal of $250,000, having already received over $56,000 in contributions to support Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites mission to preserve 20 historic sites and structures in Historic Bethlehem.  The public is invited to donate to this fund and support preservation projects at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

For more information, call 1-800-360-TOUR or visit www.HistoricBethlehem.org to RSVP.  Weekend celebration events are free to members and for non-members they kindly suggest a donation of $10 per family to support the 275th Anniversary Community Heritage Campaign. The Zug Lecture is free to members and $10 for non-members. To attend the Zug Lecture, contact Adelle to RSVP at amantle@historicbethlehem.org or 610-882-0450 ext. 10.