Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites

08/26/2026

Next week marks the return of our trio of popular autumn tours. Starting September 4, the Death & Dying Cemetery Tour takes guests through the early Moravians' remarkable beliefs about mortality and spirituality, including the compelling purpose behind the Death Tray and how it was used, as well as the community's striking approach to equality even in its final resting place.

Docents in 18th-century attire lead the tour through God’s Acre, Bethlehem's oldest cemetery, Fridays at 3 PM through October, with additional dates in early November.

Two more tours join the lineup the same week. The Mystery & History Walking Tour, which also starts on September 4, leads guests through the Colonial Industrial Quarter as twilight falls, tracing whispers of unsolved murders and eerie premonitions. And starting September 5, the Spirited Tales Pub Tour — the autumn version of our popular pub walking tour — visits the 1758 Sun Inn, Red Stag Pub, Lost Tavern Brewing, and Historic Hotel Bethlehem for paranormal tales and a complimentary Christmas City Spirits tasting and a tasting glass.

Reserve your spot today on our website.

08/24/2026

Our Colonial Baking Workshops sold out this spring so we are excited to announce they are returning this fall with a whole, new slate of classes.

Join veteran open-hearth cook Joanne Ritter in the Summer Kitchen at Burnside Plantation to make an Apple Pandowdy on September 27, Moravian Sugar Cake on October 4 or 25, or Cider Cake on November 8.

Each workshop runs 11 AM–2 PM. We keep the workshop size small for personalized instruction (only six people per class) and you’ll go home with your finished treat and the "receipt" (the 18th-century word for recipe) to make it again in your own kitchen.

Spots are limited, and spring proved they don't last long. Reserve yours via our website and use code BAKEBUNDLE for 10% off when you book two or more dates.

08/20/2026

Autumn's favorite treats are coming to the Bethlehem Vintage & Harvest Market at Historic Burnside, and it’s our largest lineup yet.

Think apple pie, apple cider donuts, apple dumplings, apple fritters, apple strudel, apple crullers, and caramel apple ice cream. There’s also pumpkin pie, pumpkin coffee cake, gluten-free pumpkin mini crumb cakes, cranberry orange scones, molasses cookies, and more.

Can't pick just one? The Autumn Extravaganza bundle brings together pie, coffee cake, and a batch of scones in a single order.
Order ahead and pick up during the Market to Go on Friday, September 18, or swing by the Market itself on Saturday, September 19.

Reserve your desserts before they sell out -- see the link in the comments to order today!

08/19/2026

Big news! Bethlehem's Apple Days is getting a new name and a whole lot more to explore. Say hello to the Bethlehem Vintage & Harvest Market happening Saturday, September 19, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Historic Burnside.

For 2026, HBMS has partnered with Bethlehem Vintage Market to present the area’s largest curated vintage vendor shopping experience, with a DJ spinning vinyl to set the mood while you dig through collectibles, antiques, and one-of-a-kind finds.

Then there's everything you already love about fall at Burnside, including autumn desserts, hands-on family activities, open-hearth cooking demos and tours of the historic farmhouse, award-winning garden and more.

Advance tickets are only $3, and kids 14 and under get in free. See the link in the comments for tickets and details.

P: Bethlehem Vintage Market

08/17/2026

This is what happens when you make preserving a community's story a top priority: Historic Bethlehem just landed on CNN's homepage!
 
CNN Travel has named Bethlehem the No. 4 best town to visit in America for 2026, writing, "Wherever you go in this handsome city, the past is never far away."

The piece covers it all: the Moravians who built colonial America's first municipal water system, Main Street's historic charm, and Bethlehem's spot as the 26th UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country.
 
"I've never seen a Main Street like it," HBMS's Lauren Kachmarsky told CNN.
 
Thank you to everyone who makes this city one of the best in the nation!

08/17/2026

This is what happens when you make preserving a community’s rich history a top priority — Historic Bethlehem has landed on CNN's homepage!

CNN Travel has named Bethlehem the No. 4 best town to visit in America for 2026, noting prominently, "Wherever you go in this handsome city, the past is never far away."

The piece dives into everything that makes the city special, from the early Moravians who built colonial America's first municipal water system, to Main Street's historic charm and Bethlehem's distinction as the site of the United States' 26th UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"I've never seen a Main Street like it," HBMS's Lauren Kachmarsky told CNN. "We're very dedicated to preserving it... to keeping that colonial and Victorian charm."

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this city one of the best communities in the nation. Check out the article and plan your visit to Historic Bethlehem on our website.

Bethlehem showcases its industrial heritage and picturesque Main Street. It’s a twinkly Christmastime destination and home to one of the newest UNESCO sites in the US.

08/14/2026

What did colonial medicine actually look like? On August 23, Judy Gilotti, the Penn State Master Gardener who leads the care of the Historic Bethlehem Apothecary Garden, walks attendees through the herbs and plants that shaped 18th- and 19th-century healing in Bethlehem. The afternoon starts at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, then winds through the recreated garden, the 1752 Apothecary, God's Acre, and the Moravian Care & Cure exhibition on Revolutionary-era medicine. Hear Judy discuss her research into the original apothecary garden and how the plan came together to recreate this historic spot located off Heckewelder Place.

The program starts at 1 p.m. Tickets are only $13 and on sale now. See our website for details.

P: Brian Kutner

08/13/2026

REMINDER: Sip & Shop returns this evening, August 13, from 5-7 p.m.
 
Visit the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts for an after-hours evening of free museum access, refreshments, and an optional hands-on Decorative Details workshop. This week’s Decorative Details is Gilded Kitchen Accents — inspired by the delicious, golden finish of baked goods.
 
You’ll elevate a simple kitchen object using subtle gilding techniques to create a decorative accent. Advanced registration is recommended. For more information and to register, visit our website.
 

08/12/2026

Congratulations to longtime supporter and Global Visionary Partner Historic Hotel Bethlehem, which has just been named the No. 1 Historic Hotel in the nation for the sixth year in a row in the USA Today/10Best readers' poll.

We are honored to celebrate alongside a partner who shares our love for this city and its story. To the entire team at this iconic Main Street landmark, we say, ‘Well done!’

08/12/2026

It’s time to train! Registrations for the Historic Turkey Trot 5K are now open, and the early bird gets the discount.

Sign up by August 30 for the best price and hit the trail to train for this fun 5K and holiday tradition returning to Historic Bethlehem on Saturday, November 28.

Visit our website to sign up today.