Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District facts for kids
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Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District
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The Moravian Tannery Building
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Church, Market and Main Streets, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 14.7 acres (5.9 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 12001016 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 6, 2012 |
| Designated NHLD | October 6, 2012 |
The Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District is a very special place in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It protects some of the oldest buildings still standing in the city. This historic area is a smaller part of the larger Central Bethlehem Historic District. It focuses on the first buildings built by the Moravians. They were the people who first settled Bethlehem in the 1700s.
In 2012, this district became a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States. It's special because it has many unique religious buildings and a rich history. In 2016, it was even considered for the World Heritage List. This list includes places important to the whole world!
Contents
Exploring Historic Bethlehem
The Historic Moravian Bethlehem Historic District covers about 14.7 acres. It is located in the center of Bethlehem. The main part of the district includes the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem and nearby buildings. These are found at Main and West Church Streets. This area is east of Monocacy Creek.
Key Buildings to Discover
The museum property has several old stone buildings from the 1700s. These buildings are all connected.
- The 1744-1772 Single Sisters' House was a place where single Moravian women lived.
- The 1746 Bell House also served as a living space for the community.
- The 1751 Old Chapel was used for worship.
The 1741 Gemeinhaus' is also part of this complex. It is also known as the Lewis David de Schweinitz Residence. This building is a National Historic Landmark on its own. A famous botanist and mycologist, Lewis David de Schweinitz, once lived here.
The Colonial Industrial Quarter
The museum also looks after properties near the creek. This area is called the Colonial Industrial Quarter. It's important for its early industrial history. The Moravians developed many industries here very early on.
- The 1761 Tannery building was used to process animal hides.
- The 1762 Waterworks (also called Old Waterworks) is another National Historic Landmark. It was the first pump-driven water supply system in North America!
This quarter is also important for archaeologists. They can learn a lot about early Moravian life here.
Other Important Sites
Beyond the museum properties, there are other significant buildings.
- The 1803-06 Central Moravian Church is a beautiful church.
- God's Acre is the Moravian burial ground. It is one of the oldest colonial cemeteries in America.
- The 1758-60 Moravian Sun Inn is located further up Main Street.
The Historic Sun Inn
The Sun Inn was built for people who were not Moravians. They could stay there while doing business in town. The Sun Inn was used a lot during the American Revolution. Many important historical figures stayed there. These include George Washington, Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and John Adams.
A Look at Moravian History
Bethlehem was settled in 1741. It was the first successful community started by German Moravian Church followers in North America. Because of this, it became a central point for other Moravian settlements. These later settlements spread across what is now the eastern United States.
Many of Bethlehem's first communal buildings were built with strong stone. This is why they have survived for so long. These buildings housed the community's single men and women. They lived separately based on their gender. The Gemeinhaus was one of their first places of worship.
Bethlehem remained strongly influenced by the Moravian religion until the early 1800s. After that, the community started to become more like other towns.
Living in the Single Sisters' House
The Single Sisters' House was a living facility for women. Single Moravian women lived there before they married. Widowed women also lived there. The original Single Sisters' House was built in 1744. It was a two-story stone building. It did not have a basement or kitchens at first.
Later, a Northern Wing was added to the Sisters' House. This new part included a new dormitory and a larger dining area. A chapel was also added later. The last addition to the building was raised above the ground on a basement. This was the first time fancy architectural details were used in a Moravian building. The Single Sisters' House is on West Church Street. It is near the Bethlehem Public Library.
The Single Brethren's House
The Single Brethren's House served a similar purpose. It was a place where single and widowed Moravian men lived. The Single Brethren's House is located on Main Street.
Images for kids
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Bethlehem Waterworks, October 2011
