BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Musikfest isn’t just for music and food-lovers.
History enthusiasts are in the right place at the right time in Historic Bethlehem — now an internationally acclaimed World Heritage Site — over the next 10 days.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, the nonprofit preserving beloved Moravian landmarks and sharing their centuries of stories with the public, has unveiled a variety of programming for the whole family on display at the nation’s original industrial park: the Colonial Industrial Quarter.
“Discover the history of the company that helped build America ... learn about the Moravians’ role during the American Revolution on the John Adams tour, or explore the United States’ newest World Heritage Site — Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem — on the new World Heritage Tour."Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
And it's happening right in the heart of the festival action on Bethlehem's North Side.
“Discover the history of the company that helped build America on Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel," a release from HBMS reads.
"Learn about the Moravians’ role during the American Revolution on the John Adams tour, or explore the United States’ newest World Heritage Site — Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem — on the new World Heritage Tour.”
Seven walking tours will be offered during the festival.
Schedule of activities
Witness the massive, 18-foot water wheel come to life at the 1762 Waterworks, the nation’s first pumped municipal water system, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and noon-4 p.m. Aug. 7-10.
Open from noon-6 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and 6-10, the 1750/1761 Smithy at Main and Church streets also will feature guest artist Luke Dellmyer to demonstrate bladesmithing during that time.
“A recreation of the original blacksmith shop that was constructed on the site in the 18th century, the Smithy features blacksmiths and tinsmiths at work during Musikfest, with these professionals demonstrating how Moravians forged hooks, hinges, door handles and more,” according to the release.
The hands-on craft schedule at the 1869 Luckenbach Mill, set to run from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and Aug. 8-10, includes tin lanterns, air dry clay and bisque pottery painting, leather keychains and hand-stamped tote bags.
At the adjoining Grist Miller’s House from noon-5 p.m. daily, you can see textile and natural dye demonstrations Aug. 1-3 and 8-10, and leatherworking as well on Aug. 2-3.
Woodworker Scott Lance will bring his demonstrations to the Springhouse, where “guests can witness the vital role carpenters played in early American life, watching period-accurate tools in action and seeing handcrafted items take shape before their eyes,” the release reads.
That’s scheduled for noon-5 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and 7-10.
