Old Bethlehem Walking Tour Explore 285 Years of History

Housed in the 1741 Gemeinhaus — the oldest building in Bethlehem — the Moravian Museum introduces guests to the city’s unique history that began with its founding by the Moravians in the early 1740s. Due to its incredible history and architecture, the Gemeinhaus has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is part of the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District. It’s also a cornerstone of the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem, the United States’ newest World Heritage Site.

By the mid-1750s, the Colonial Industrial Quarter was home to approximately 35 crafts, trades and industries, making it what is widely regarded as the first industrial center in the nation. During its height, the site along the Monocacy Creek was home to operations focused on textiles and apparel; blacksmithing, gun making and the metal trades; tanning and leatherwork; woodworking and cabinet making; masonry and brickmaking; soap making; grain milling and baking; pottery and more.

rgest Moravian congregations in America and is one of the nine buildings that make up the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem World Heritage Site.