Back to Bethlehem: History & Re-connection

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM

A group of Moravians from Germany founded Bethlehem in 1741.  They established their church, built a school, created a bookstore, Moravian Book Shop, and built separate residences for men (brethren) and women (sisters and widows.) Many of these early 18th century buildings remain today, well preserved and elegant in their simple lines.

Central Moravian Church, the mother church in this country, dominates the corner of Church and Main Streets, an imposing presence with a striking bell tower. 

In 2024, after a long decade of applications, documentation, and persistence by the Historic Bethlehem organization, the Historic Moravian District was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with Moravian settlements in Germany, Northern Ireland, and Denmark. 

Visitors to Bethlehem can also see the Bell House and Old Chapel, tour the Moravian and Kemerer Museums, and as a bonus, discover the Colonial Industrial Quarter with its 1762 Waterworks (a National Historic Landmark), 1761 Tannery, and blacksmith shop from 1750.

 Returning to Bethlehem, I was delighted to see the greater acknowledgement and presence of this city’s unique history and to have a chance encounter with LoriAnn Wukitsch, CEO of Historic Bethlehem.  When I lived here, I served on the Historic Bethlehem board.

LEHIGH DAYS

In 1865, Asa Packer founded Lehigh University across the Lehigh River in what was then called South Bethlehem. It was the industrial side and became home to a large steel plant.  North Bethlehem (Moravian) and South Bethlehem (steel) did not officially become one city until 1917. 

From 1998 until 2006, the Chief Penguin and I lived in Bethlehem in the center of the Lehigh campus.  He was president, and I had dual roles as a full-time librarian/development officer and First Lady and was involved in the community.  We lived in the stately 1868 President’s House.  Its renovation was featured in Architectural Digest in 1999.

This week we returned to Bethlehem and Lehigh to re-connect with the campus and with longtime friends and colleagues.  We were here briefly a few years ago for the installation of the current president, but not for very long. The campus is still beautiful and shows well! 

One day we checked out every floor of the recently renovated Clayton University Center from new spaces for student clubs, the Lehigh Pub bistro, and an added set of eateries for students offering everything from pizza, salads and soups to Mediterranean fare and barbecue. All spaces are light and bright and invite conversation and collaboration. 

For old-times sake, stopping in Linderman Library was also a must.  The reading room is still grand and glorious, the rotunda with its stained-glass dome lovely, and the entire building filled with many places to sit and study or just ponder life.

This historic library (1878 and 1929) was most recently renovated and updated in 2007. (I was involved in that project.) Since its renovation, Linderman is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful libraries anywhere. Kudos to the university for preserving this special place.

The Chief Penguin and I also enjoyed a series of lunches and dinners with many friends and re-connected with others at a Lehigh breakfast.  That afternoon, we had the fun of being at a home football game in Goodman Stadium.  The Marching 97 (now 113 or so strong) gave a great halftime performance ending with spelling out Lehigh.

It was a sunny day, the temperature was perfect, and Lehigh remained undefeated!  

From the breakfast events through dinner at the local country club, from beginning to end, this day was a treat.  It turns out you can go home again—if only for a brief interlude!

Note: All photos but the last one ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)