Local History

The Archibald Johnston Mansion in Bethlehem Township has stood for more than a century and has been the focus of renovations by the nonprofit Archie Project. The 6,000-square-foot home has 22 rooms and a cellar.

The Banana Factory's yard sale is nearly over. Shoppers found plenty of marked down art supplies, furniture, and other items for the savvy bargain hunter.

The Esther M. Lee African American Heritage Center hosted a Kwanzaa celebration, which included the lighting of the kinara and a discussion of the Seven Principles, at PBS39 in Bethlehem Saturday evening.

Block captain efforts were among the 337 volunteers who so far have helped raise $125,000 for New Bethany Ministries programs in south Bethlehem.

During the hourlong drive through Christmas City, a guide shares facts about the Moravian traditions and the Star of Bethlehem.

Social media rumblings this week included a number of people saying they weren’t able to mail Christmas cards from the Bethlehem Post Office using the special Christmas City postmark. Postal service officials have said there’s no cause for concern.

The Christmas celebration held on Friday featured traditional Puerto Rican Christmas songs, food and visitors from the North Pole.

The old Woolworth building at 555 Main St. is eyed for 27 apartments within a set-back, two-story addition facing the roadway and a three-story section off its rear.

The Peace Candle is 106 feet tall. It was first built and lit in 1951 to honor the families who lost loved ones in World War II.

Built in 1790, the nationally recognized site is one of a few contributing structures at the Heller Homestead, which serves as a township park and museum along Friedensville Road near the Lower Saucon-Hellertown border.

The bipartisan House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee spent three days in the Lehigh Valley this week. Part of the visit included a hearing with local organizers to discuss funding celebrations of America's 250th anniversary.

Easton Area School District officially canceled its Thanksgiving eve bonfire following a meeting with police and fire officials, who voiced concerns for the safety of people and property.