Bethlehem (PA) – Christmas City USA
Driving though the Pocono Mountains towards the Lehigh Valley I could feel my eyes, heavy with exhaustion, begin to tire. I pulled myself together as the last traces of dusk disappeared, engulfing my car in darkness. As I finally approached Bethlehem later that night, on the Fred B. Rooney Highway, I was greeted into Bethlehem by a massive star built on South Mountain, overlooking the old town of Bethlehem to the north. The city was beckoning to me and I was being pulled into its magnetic allure!
Table of Contents
- Geography
- A Brief History
- Spending a Weekend in Bethlehem
- Conclusion
Geography
Bethlehem is located in the Lehigh Valley, an industrial region of Pennsylvania. The city is located a few miles south of Nazareth and is located east of Allentown.
The town is separated by the Lehigh River, running east-west. This tributary of the Delaware was an important industrial canal linking mining towns in the Pocono Mountains, such as Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe), to the city. On the north side of the city, a perpendicular stream called the Monocacy creek, intersects with the Lehigh River. Built on a ledge, over that very stream valley, is the old Moravian town of Bethlehem, recognizable by its white and green church spire. Down in the valley you will find one of the first industrial parks in the United States, where the crafty Moravians put their self sufficiency on display.
South of the Lehigh River you find a working class suburb distinguished by its row houses and massive industrial steel stacks. Unlike the quaint stone buildings of the industrial quarter on the Moravian side, the buildings here are in 20th century style – masonry and steel.
This sector was historically populated by many immigrants to the new world namely eastern Europeans such as Poles and Lithuanians but of many other ethnic minorities as well.
A Brief History
Moravian Beginnings
Bethlehem was founded by Moravian settlers from nearby Nazareth, PA and would quickly outgrow the former. To understand the dramatic founding of this city, one must understand the lives of its founders. The Moravians are a protestant sect from Bohemia (Present day Czech Republic), persecuted in their homeland due to their religious beliefs (inspired by Jan Hus). Since many of the Moravians came from Germany (many had sought refuge from Moravia on the estate of tolerant Count Zinzendorf) they were called the Pennsylvania Dutch, “Dutch” being a corruption “Deutsch” meaning German.
They first migrated to the city of Savannah in 1735, but were evicted in 1739. Undaunted, they were transported to Philadelphia and invited to settle on a property in rural Pennsylvania, by a protestant preacher called George Whitefield. Today this settlement is called Nazareth. Owing to a difference in doctrine he soon kicked the Moravians off his rural “Barony”.
To rectify the situation the barony land was bought by the European Branch of Moravian church. The agreement was finalized in 1741, when Count Zinzendorf, the German benefactor of the Moravians came to America for 14 months to finalize the land purchase. It is during this time that William Allen, founder of nearby Allentown donated a tract of land to the Moravian holdings. This is where the story of Bethlehem becomes legend. Christmas 1741, the count and his followers are gathered in a rudimentary log cabin, where Bethlehem stands today. They spent Christmas singing hymns together in a scene reminiscent of the nativity and thus Bethlehem was born, named and designated as such by Zinzendorf at that very moment. Bethlehem, like nearby Nazareth is a clear reference to the Judean cities and one of the Hymns sung that night was “Not Jerusalem, Lowly Bethlehem”.
Early Resilience and Success in the Colonial Era
As part of the Moravian tradition, all of the settlements property belonged to the church. As such families lived apart from their own members, in tenements organized by sex and the children raised by the church and community. The settlement was limited to Moravians as such it was able to maintain its religious practices. The communal system helped the community survive and even thrive in backwoods Pennsylvania but was abandoned in later era’s, when the severe living conditions were loosened and the need for this extreme kind of living was no more.
The success of this system can be reflected in the Colonial Industrial Quarter established in the Monocacy Creek valley banks as early as 1741. At first it consisted of log cabins but was quickly expanded to limestone structures as the skilled crafts multiplied. By 1747 it would host over 32 crafts and by the 1750’s over 50, , the largest concentration of industry of any city in colonial America. As a result the city was made almost entirely self sufficient. In 1762 the first fresh water distribution system in America was constructed in this quarter, an extraordinary achievement for such a small settlement.
The founding fathers were just as impressed as I was, during my visit. Here is a quote from a familiar American luminary:
They have carried the mechanical Arts to greater Perfection here than in any Place which I have seen …They have a fine sett of Mills. The best Grist Mills and bolting Mills, that are anywhere to be found. The best fulling Mills, an oil Mill, a Mill to grind Bark for the Tanyard, a Dying House where All Colours are dyed, Machines for shearing Cloth.”
John Adams, A Letter to his wife Abigail (April 1777)
Revolutionary Bethlehem
The outbreak of the American Revolution in 1765 put Bethlehem at the forefront of the American Nation. At first, Moravians were viewed with mistrust by the revolutionary cause, and some openly accused them of being Tories. The Moravian tradition of Pacifism put them in a bind, they would soon win the hearts of the revolutionary cause by assisting the nation without fighting. The city would be turned into a massive field hospital with the Moravians caring for the wounded. Le Marquis de Lafayette, the legendary French commander injured at Battle of Brandywine, recovered in Bethlehem. Soon Philadelphia would be occupied by the British army, patriots evacuated north towards Bethlehem while the army camped out at Valley Forge for a brutal winter (with Washington’s baggage transported here). The insular city was turned into a field hospital for American troops and the outside world marvelled at the faith and hard work of the people. George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette are just a few of the famous visitors to visit the city during this time and several of the founding fathers joined the citizens in prayer in their church.
Opening the Colony Up to the Outside World and the Onset Industrial Age
As the years advanced, the self-reliant and hardy Moravians sought to modernize. The American Revolution had brought a host of strangers to the settlement and the exposure to new ideas ensured the eventual end of the communal system. By the 19th century the Moravian colony was opened to those of different religious beliefs (1844, to be exact). However not all the religious ideas of the Moravians were outdated, many were actually ahead of their time. Women were entitled to an education and all citizens of the town were expected to receive equal treatment regardless of race or gender. Over 15 languages were spoken at one time and African Americans were educated and worked along whites for the good of their church and community.
The late 19th and 20th century saw the largest change in the town’s demographics. Like Nazareth, the first outsiders to settle in the town were other protestants such as Lutherans and Huguenots. This would change with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and its aftermath, industrialists would choose Bethlehem to be the engine of the country creating employment that would bring people from across the world to the Lehigh Valley.
Thus in 1857, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation (at that time Bethlehem Iron) opened its doors. This massive steel manufacturer would grow to become the second largest in the United States. The symbol of the company was the “I Beam”, or W-Section for us civil engineers, an iconic invention of the company used in steel framed construction such as “skyscrapers”. With the building of some of the largest cement plants in nearby Coplay, the Lehigh valley would build America’s cities. Iconic structures such as the Golden Gate bridge and the Chrysler building were produced with Bethlehem steel.
A collaborator of Bethlehem steel was a man named Asa Packer, a wealthy shipping magnate that settled in Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe). He was involved with the movement of goods along the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, connecting the rich mining Poconos with the Delaware River via cities like Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and eventually Trenton and Philadelphia. A wealthy man he established Lehigh University and paid for the admission of its students for the first 20 years of its existence. The school was first and foremost a trade school and formed many of the engineers that would shape the Lehigh valley.
During the subsequent years the city grew rapidly due to immigration. Industrialists needed good workers who they could hire for cheap and so they brought in many Eastern Europeans. As such Polish pierogies can be found throughout the Lehigh Valley and can be purchased at many local restaurants. During the Second World War, Bethlehem Steel manufactured over a ship a day and over a fifth of the American navy was produced here.
Unfortunately overseas competition and the lack of modernization would sink Bethlehem Steel, the plant would close in 1995. As the largest employer in the city, the firm’s departure would leave a devastating hole in the valley. In recent years Bethlehem Steel and the city have revived the south side into an arts district with museums, performance venues, a casino and a public market in the hopes of making the city a tourism destination. From what I could tell during my visit, it seems to be working!
Spending a Weekend in Bethlehem
Christmas Traditions
Background information
The city is known for its Christmas celebrations that take place on both the south and the north sides of the city. It was in fact the reason for my visit to the city. The tradition began in 1937, during the Great Depression, as a ploy to revive the city’s spirits and promote tourism during a difficult time; Christmas lights were installed, as well as a giant wood star on the South Mountain (replaced by a Bethlehem steel star in 1939). To promote the event Bethlehem was renamed “Christmas City, USA”, a nod to the city’s founding. The tradition has continued unabated with the exception of 1941-1945, when the Second World War was taking place. Civic authorities believed that the charming lights would give away the position of the city making it an easy air raid target for the enemy. As the city was a vital production center of US industry, it needed to protect its steel plants as such to lights would be cancelled. The move was also completed in solidarity with the troops fighting abroad who were not having a proper Christmas.
Tours and Traditions
The best way to explore the city is by night bus or walking tour. Not only will you get a sense of the city’s history, but you will also get a glimpse at the beautiful Christmas lights and decor on the main street. I recommend a ride on the night bus as it will cover more ground. The night bus leaves from the Bethlehem tourism office and includes a guide dressed in a typical Moravian costume from the early colonial period. After a brief wait we were loaded on the bus by a chatty but clueless college student that seemed to think that pierogies were native to Bethlehem and could not be purchased elsewhere else, but once we were on the bus our guide was excellent. She had the Moravian typical look, with a plain dress and bonnet. The tour begins with a ride around the Moravian old town while the guide narrates the history of the city and gives insights on its unique traditions. From there the bus heads to see the beautiful Christmas lights outside of the urban core, including the steel stack Christmas market on the south side and a ride above the town to the star of Bethlehem lit above.
Yet one does not have to take the bus to indulge Bethlehem’s traditions as they are on display throughout the city. While walking on any street, look at the windows of the Moravian houses to see the warm glow of burning candles. Positioned in every window they are an important part of the city’s lore. Imported from Saxony, This tradition stretches back to a cold Christmas in 1741. The candle light is meant to guide the infant Jesus, wandering on Christmas, into the homes and hearts of the inhabitants. Another decor essential to Bethlehem is that Moravian star. Unlike the traditional five pointed variant, the Moravian star has 26 points. The stunning decoration was imported from Germany grace the front doors of many of the town’s residential buildings. In some cases they are made of plastic but many citizens have invested in hand crafted crystal specimens.
Christmas Market
The Bethlehem Christmas market is located on the south side of the city, at the base of the steel stacks. There is plenty of parking available or alternatively there is a shuttle that runs from the north side. When you first walk in the steel stacks visitors center you will be greeted by an informative display on Christmas trees from the all nations represented in Bethlehem, and explanations on how they are decorated. This is near where you will usually find the entrance to the steel stack boardwalk but that attraction is closed this time of year. Some of the Christmas trees on display include that of Moravian, Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian decor among many other nations. As you will notice many of the nations represented are mostly of Central or East European decent. Many of Bethlehem’s industrial population originated from these areas and brought their traditions with them. Hence why Bethlehem has a few good Pierogi places!
After completing a tour of the visitors center, make your way to the massive Christmas market next door. Although entry has a fee, it is well worth it. Inside you will find several large tents dedicated to different crafts, sporting a wide variety of merchants ranging from Christmas tree vendors, to crafts and finally to food & beverage stalls. After you are done looking at the spruces you should check out hand made goods including German tree ornaments, wood carved jewelry boxes and tree toppers. Speaking of which, I couldn’t help it so I purchased a beautiful hand crafted glass tree topper!
For those craving a drink, you can shop around with a hot wine in your hand. If you crave something stronger there are many bars sporting Pennsylvania’s best distilleries, wineries and breweries. If you are hungry you can go to the food tent where a band is playing there you can choose from Austrian pastries and Polish, Italian and Hungarian dishes.
South Side – The Working Class Industrial Center
My air bnb was located on the southside of the city and so that’s where my exploration of the city began.
Residential South Side
The residential sections of the south side are built on approaches of south mountain while the industrial area occupies the flat land closest to the Lehigh river. Most of the buildings are constructed of masonry or cinder block and appear to have been built cheaply and packed together as closely as possible.
There are two main streets in the South Side Historic district, were most of the important businesses are located. The first is Broadway Street, which merges into Fourth Street and the second is Third Street, it can be found right after crossing the bridges. These two streets are parallel to the industrial quarter and are located on the flat part at the base of south mountain.
Above this central business district, on the slopes of the mountain, you will find the main campus of Lehigh university. The streets are typical of a 19th and 20th century working class Pennsylvania town with some of the modern buildings belonging to St. Luke’s hospital or the University. Typical construction materials include stone buildings predating this period and a host of masonry structures. It is prettier than my pictures would suggest. A great view of the steel stacks can be found from St Michael’s Cemetery, or any of the streets going up the mountain. For those looking to grab a drink at night, I would recommend The Bookstore Speakeasy on Adams Street. It is built into the basement of an old stone building and often has a jazz band.
Steel Stacks and Industrial Area
The crown jewel of south Bethlehem is the industrial area referred to as the Steel Stacks. You will find the Stacks themselves, a symbol of the city dating from 1915, along the banks of the Lehigh River. From the mills you can see railway tracks leading away from the complex along the river course. At night you will find the area illuminated, since it was Christmas the colours are red and green. The Christmas market is located at the base of the stacks.
The area surrounding stacks is a large industrial brownfield, with decaying masonry warehouses. Some of these warehouses even have trees growing through them. Access to these buildings is prohibited but you can still peer inside. I parked the car near a hockey rink, one of the many amenities that has been added in a new building or uses repurposed buildings.
The stacks are home to an arts & entertainment district that was established after the closure of the plant. The casino area to the east of the stacks is part of this district and every year the Stacks are home to concerts and public events, especially in the summer months. After the closure of Bethlehem steel in 1995, it was decided to preserve the industrial heritage of the flats for all to see. Revenues derived from the development of the land are put into the preservation of the site’s industrial heritage. One of the new buildings on the flats is the ArtsQuest building, a partner in the development of the lands. The inside of this building is home to a theater that shows off independent films, including at the time of my visit “Parasite”. This makes for a great rainy day activity and if you want you can purchase both popcorn and beer here.
The Stacks themselves are what we call blast furnaces. In these massive structures, iron is produced at high temperatures. There are a total of five furnaces, the highest being located at over 230′ (70m) tall. The total length of the structure is of 1,100′ (300m) and this behemoth could produce over 3000 tons of Iron in a day.
A high-line like boardwalk will take you along the length of the structure but unfortunately it is shut over the winter months. The stone building at the base of the structure is the visitors center. You will also find a Mac-Truck counter at the base of he building (an iconic Allentown Company).
For those attending the Christmas market you will find some fire pits to warm your feet and hands at at the base of the stacks. So pick up some adult apple cider, or a hot wine and enjoy the view!
For those further interested in the industrial heritage of the site take the time to walk along the empty streets of the industrial quarter. It was once the life blood of the city. You can follow the rail tracks east towards the casino and check out the warehouses along the way or you can head north to visit the old headquarters of Bethlehem Steel.
The headquarters can be a little spooky. There are few pedestrians and the area has not changed since the closure of Bethlehem steel in 1995. The large masonry building sports the iconic Bethlehem “I-Beam” logo on the front door.
Next door to the Steel Manufacturer’s Headquarters you will find the National Museum of Industrial History, an associate of the Smithsonian in Washington. This cultural center is considered to be the best small museum on the eastern seaboard. It details the history of technology in American history and the history of Bethlehem’s famed steel industry.
The museum is built into the old electrical workshop of Bethlehem steel and will give you an idea what the large masonry warehouses would have looked like in their prime. After paying for admission fee, you will be administered a punch card, much like you would if you were working in a factory. You use this souvenir to punch in and out of the museum, a neat gimmick.
If you look overhead as you come in you will see a giant crane overhead. For such a small museum they make excellent use of the space, fitting a treasure trove of artifacts in the space. They include a lot of information for each of the exhibits, matching traditional museum displays with more interactive ones – that did not feel too gimmicky. You could probably spend at least two hours inside its walls.
The main hall is fit into the factory floor of the building and go though many periods of history. As such you will find a wide variety of exhibits ranging from the printing press, to steam power, electric generation and combustion engines.
The Stacks Part II – The Highline (Seasonal Opening)
In the summer months and late into the fall, you may be able to access Bethlehem’s version of the Highline.
This walkway takes you up to the stacks themselves for an overarching view of the complex. On your way up you will see the machinery rotting away in the surrounding warehouses.
The Highline follows the old rail line into the stacks.
Many remnants of the machinery used on this line remain.
The line is filled with history placards explaining what like in Bethlehem was for the workers and explaining the industrial significance of the site
As is host ti great views of the structure.
Not only will you get great views of the stacks themselves… but the sides have been lined with a variety of plants and looks stunning in the fall and even early winter months when bright shades of red are displayed.
Below you will find a gallery with a few great shots from the Highline.
Wind Creek Casino
To the east of the steel mill is the casino complex. This area includes a large shopping mall, a concert venue, a night club, a casino, a hotel and many restaurants. Outside the complex you will find a giant 14″ gun from the USS Mississippi. It was produced here in Bethlehem. you will find a giant steel arm (crane), at the front of the complex.
This area is modern and would be a fun place to stay if you are attending a concert here as everything in interconnected – you don’t even have to leave the complex.
Asa Packer’s Lehigh University and South Mountain
One of the top 50 schools in the county, Lehigh is a stone gem located on the slopes of South Mountain, the higher you go the older the buildings will be.
Since it was just before Christmas, schools were out of session and the campus was empty. It made for great picture taking. The central quart yard includes a large tree filled green space with a group of stone buildings surrounding it. A few standouts include the semi-circular Linderman Library, the Engineering College (of course!), Alumni Memorial Building, the Packer Memorial Church and the stunning Gothic University Center.
If you continue up South Mountain you will eventually come across an excellent viewpoint of the city and the star of Bethlehem. On you climb up you will encounter many pretty stones sorority/fraternity house, residences and faculty/admin buildings.
North Side – The Old Moravian Quarter
Colonial Industrial Quarter
On the west side of the Moravian Quarter by the creek, is a valley that delineates the Moravian quarter built above it. On the west side you will see the Freb. B Rooney Highway in the direction of South Bethlehem and crossing the stream towards the old town is the massive arched Hill To Hill Bridge. Under the bridge is a parking lot, if you have a car this is a great place to leave it. Parking is free and it is much less busy than in the Moravian old town. A pedestrian bridge links both sides of the creek. Back in the 1950’s this area was a junkyard, until civic interest in heritage allowed for the land to be cleaned up. On the west side of the hill, covered by the highway is the mass grave of 500 revolutionary war soldiers. A small memorial to the unknown soldier can be found on the other side of the highway.
The first building north of the bridge is the old water pumping station, mentioned in the history section and from there you can see the rest of the quarter laid out in front of you. This was the heart of the artisanal, industrial district of the colonial era and over the centuries much of it has been washed away. Some of the buildings such as the pottery, butchery, tannery, dye house and the oil mill are now but ruins. Others are reconstructions or restorations of the original structures such as the smith shop, the tannery, the springhouse as well as the grist mill.
At night this is a great place to observe the iconic Hotel Bethlehem sign. On that fateful Christmas night in 1741, there was a log cabin located where the hotel is now that was used by Zinzendorf and his followers – the one that sang hymns in and that launched the foundation of the city.
If you follow the Monocacy Creek south towards the Lehigh River you will come across a floodplain that was once an important part of the industrial fabric of the city. Here you will find much of the remaining train tracks and the Sand island, separated from the mainland by the Lehigh River navigation canal. Knowing how busy the downtown restaurants and microbreweries were I decided it best to go to a restaurant called the Wooden Match for lunch, to escape the long waits in the old town. The business is located in an old train station, one of two located in Bethlehem, located on the Lehigh Canal. The other station, Bethlehem Union Station, is no longer in operation and is located across the Lehigh River in South Bethlehem, it belonged to the Reading Railway company and offered service to Philadelphia. This train station belonged to the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and ran towards Jersey City/Harrisburg. On Sand island, on the other side of the canal, you will find the Ice Box, a performing arts center located in an old masonry building.
In the summertime, you will find a terrace located on the outdoor passenger platform, by the railway tracks. The railway themed inside serves as a cigar bar. I ordered drinks (some great Lehigh Valley Microwbrews!) and read up about the restaurant by a history blurb on the menus and by the pictures on the wall. My favorite US president, Harry Truman actually visited this station during a campaign stop in 1948. I highly recommend stopping here for supper as you will be away from the downtown crowds and the station possesses a lot of charm. Although tucked away from Bethlehem, the food is excellent, service is quick, there is plenty of parking and it is an easy 10 minute walk from the Old Town.
Old Moravian Bethlehem
The city of Bethlehem, like all Pennsylvania Dutch settlements, is concentrated around the religious life. The embodiment of this life in Bethlehem is the Central Moravian Church, located at the intersection of the two most important streets in the city, Church and Main. For those interested in Christmas displays, you can find a beautiful nativity scene inside. At first the central Moravian church was located on the second floor of the Gemeinhaus (Community House), next door on Church Street. Not long after the community outgrew this space and in 1806 a new space was completed, the distinctive church we see today. For a time it was the largest church in Pennsylvania, seating 1200.
The above mentioned Gemeinhaus was the center of Moravian Bethlehem. Established in 1741, shortly after the designation as a settlement, it was the center of community life and has seen many changes though the city’s history. The first section of the buildings, fittingly the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem is made of stone. The second addition is the Bell house constructed in 1746 and made of stone. Attached to it, is a stone chapel built in 1751 to house the prayer hall after it was moved from the second floor of the Moravian Museum. The chapel is connected to the old brothers house built in 1744 and converted into a home for unmarried sisters. The bell house like the central Moravian church is built in Germanic style, its distinctive turret once housed the first clock in Bethlehem.
A funny story I heard about the building is that since married couples in Moravian communities lived separate, rooms were offered to married couples so that they may consummate – sort of like a religious brothel!
In behind the house, raised above the rest of the town is the Moravian Cemetery. An old lady, taking note of my interest in the site, approached me and mentioned that she was an old stock Moravian. She asked if I had any questions and I immediately asked about the layout of the graves. She answered that the the reason that graves are flat and not upright is that in death Moravians believe that we are all equal and that no grave should overshadow another. A touching sentiment! Did I mention that Pennsylvanians are very nice people?!
Take the time to explore the area around the cemetery. The colonial era streets and alleys are some of the most picturesque in the state.
Back on the main street you should pay a visit to the Historic Hotel Bethlehem. This building was constructed in 1919 and replaced a previous hotel and the buildings that Christmas was celebrated in 1741. It is considered by any standard to be a luxurious establishment it has hosted many of the great men and women from the last century including US Presidents (Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton and JFK), industrialists (Thomas Edison, Henry Ford), foreign statesmen (Winston Churchill) and entertainers/sportment (Steve Carelton, Shirley Temple, Bob Hope)
The highlight of the hotel is the historic taproom. Located on the second floor it makes great use of the tall arched windows. The bar hosts a great jazz nights and one could imagine having a drink with Winni here.
On the main street you will find many great businesses including the Moravian Book Store dating from 1745. It is the oldest continuously operated establishment of its kind in the United States and the second oldest in the world. The street is sublimely decorated for Christmas with wreaths on the light-poles and Christmas lights illuminating the space. You can hear the sounds of carollers filling the streets and charming cafes have set up to welcome guests. For those seeking more of that delicious hot wine, you can usually find some street vendors selling it along with their artisan products. This is also another opportunity to purchase a souvenir for the house. You can find the Moravian stars seen around town in beautiful glass or in plastic (I bought the latter, the glass ones are much more expensive).
Further down the street you will find another staple of Bethlehem, an establishment of high repute by the name of the Sun Inn. This rats nest of revolutionary activity hosted George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin. Built in 1758 it was considered one of the best taverns of its time, so stop by for a drink. An alley will take you to a back courtyard where a patio is usually set up for those not interested in entering inside.
While on the main street look out for the plenitude of historical markers such as the one indicating the home where General Lafayette recovered from his injuries after the battle of Brandywine. Not far from this placard you will find Fegley’s Brew Works. This busy Bethlehem staple is popular with students and tourists alike, and as such has expanded to Allentown nearby. Although known for its beer, I recommend avoiding it and going to the Wooden Match restaurant (mentioned above) around Christmas since the heavy volume of tourists will ensure that the bar has a long wait for drinks and food.
Lastly, there is one more thing for you too look out for while prowling Main street, a collection cheeky fountains. My favourites of these are the Richardson fountain as the “Drink Pilgrim” fountain shown below. The later is located not far from the very useful and informative visitors center and borrow from a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge called Inscription for a Fountain on a Heath.
Drink Pilgrim Here, and if thy Heart be Innocent, Here too Shalt Thou Refresh Thy Spirit.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (modified)
Suburban Bethlehem
The main attraction outside of the main core of Bethlehem is Moravian college. This institution is almost as old as the Pennsylvania Dutch themselves. Started in 1742, with resources provided by the daughter of count Zinzendorf, it is considered the 6th oldest college in the United States. The college moved from the first Moravian settlement in Nazareth to Bethlehem not long after. This beautiful stone and masonry campus is worth a look!
Burnside Plantation
Another interesting thing to see is the Burnside Plantation. Housed in an 18th century farm building on a 6 acre lot, it will give you an insight on Moravian life.
There are two main parts to the complex, the first is a cluster of barns and outbuildings.
The second is the famhouse itself.
In front of this building you will also find a working garden, restored to what it may have looked like back in the day.
Day Trips
Nazareth
It is impossible for me to recommend any other place besides Nazareth for a day trip. For those interested in Moravian history this is the place to see as it is the first Moravian settlement in Pennsylvania. Both Nazareth and Bethlehem share Judean names and both towns have stunning colonial religious architecture. For more information click here.
Easton
This important rail junction is an important industrial center and home to Lafayette University. It’s downtown core is pleasant, and is host to the crayola museum. For more information click here.
Allentown
Bethlehem larger industrial neighbour is so big that it has almost grown into Bethlehem itself. Although it is less interesting then some of its contemporaries on the surface, it can be an equally interesting place to visit.
Conclusion
I must say Bethlehem took me by surprise. I had expected the city to have a few activities to do, but certainly not not more than a day’s worth, I was clearly wrong. I spent a full weekend running around the city and I still could have used more time. Bethlehem, with its relatively small population, has many attractions concentrated in a small area that if done properly will take you a while to get though. Find a nice place to stay in town and enjoy an unpretentious destination with a long history of wooing travellers. Maybe the Moravians were on to something after all!
