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Monday 1pm - 4pm Tuesday 1pm - 4pm Wednesday 1pm - 4pm Thursday 1pm - 4pm Friday 1pm - 4pm Saturday 1pm - 4pm Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Moravian Historical Society

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Nazareth, PA
Moravian Historical Society

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Preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich culture of the Moravians The Museum is located in the 1740-1743 Whitefield House.

Established in 1857, the Moravian Historical Society (MHS) is the third oldest historical society in Pennsylvania. We share Moravian art, history, architecture, innovation, and culture with the community through events, tours, exhibitions, publications, and more. We are proud to be a Preserve America Stewards Presidential Award winner, a Blue Star Museum, and a partner with National Geographic Magazine's Delaware River geotourisim project. Visitors can also view the 1740 Gray Cottage, the oldest Moravian structure in North America. Both buildings are located on the historic, three-acre Ephrata Tract in downtown Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

214 East Center Street
Nazareth, Pa 18064
610.759.5070
[email protected]
610-759-5070

More detailed information about the MHS, such as our current Annual Report, our institutional By-laws, our Constitution, and/or our Standing Rules, our staff, and board lists may be found on our website: www.moravianhistory.org.

10/15/2026

to this photograph taken on October 15, 1894. The Leinbach Store in Hope, New Jersey, was built in 1776. It was a general store with living quarters above. From the 1850s through the early 1900s, it was known as Turner's store then A.S. Howell store.

10/14/2026

Join us on Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. for the talk, "Emmaus and the Revolutionary War: The Often Untold and Forgotten Story." Jeanne Harakal will share the Revolutionary War history of Emmaus and the Moravians living there during those difficult years. You will learn of the kind and generous deeds of the Moravians of this small village during the Revolutionary War and will hear of the bravery and lives of the twelve Emmaus men whose military service was not recognized for 150 years.

Jeanne Harakal grew up in Emmaus and joined the Emmaus Historical Society in 2008. Since 2009, she has served on the Emmaus Historical Society Board of Directors in the positions of Director, Vice President, and President.

Reserve your seat by visiting www.moravianhistory.org/music-and-lectures

10/12/2026

We honor Indigenous People's Day on this . The Delaware artist who made this basket used sweetgrass, a plant considered sacred by many Indigenous tribes in North America. The beaded trefoil is a distinctive Delaware design, and the other design may be a reference to the Moravian star.

The basket was a parting gift to a Moravian missionary at a Kansas reservation. Margaretta and Karen Bunning donated the basket to the Moravian Historical Society in 1990. In 2014, the basket was conserved and stabilized. Today, the basket is on display in our museum.

The Moravian Historical Society stands in Lenapehoking, the ancestral land of the Lenape People. The Lenape were historically removed from their homelands as a result of centuries of settler colonialism, so their tribal governments and a majority of Lenape citizens are now located outside of their ancestral homelands. But they have maintained their tribal sovereignty and ongoing cultural relationships to their homelands. Today’s federally recognized Lenape tribal nations are: Delaware Nation (Anadarko Oklahoma); Delaware Tribe of Indians (Bartlesville Oklahoma); the Stockbridge Munsee Community (Bowler Wisconsin); and the Munsee Delaware Nation and the Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown), both in Ontario Canada.

10/06/2026

🎃 Join us if you dare! The weather looks to be perfect this weekend for a lantern-led Spooky Walking Tour that explore Nazareth’s streets and historic sites by night. The tour departs from the Whitefield House with stops at some of Nazareth's oldest buildings where you’ll encounter the ghostly lore and eerie stories that shaped life in early Nazareth. Join us on Friday or Saturday night at 7:00 or 8:15 p.m. Reserve your spot at www.moravianhistory.org/spooky-walking-tours. 👻

10/05/2026

This autumnal view of Nazareth Hall is dated October 10, 1857. The Manor House can be seen in background, with the trees of the Pleasure Gardens tinged with fall colors. The watercolor was painted by Levin Theodore Reichel, a principal of Nazareth Hall, as was his father, Bishop Reichel.

[Image: Nazareth Hall," Oct. 10, 1857, Levin Theodore Reichel, mhs.2010.013.052]

10/01/2026

Join us on Sunday, November 15 as history comes to life through the extraordinary sound of the Moravian Historical Society’s 1776 Tannenberg Organ! The organ is celebrating its 250th birthday this year alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary. This special concert invites audiences to experience the remarkable voice of one of America’s most historic instruments. The Moravian Historical Society’s Tannenberg organ is one of only nine surviving organs built by David Tannenberg, recognized as one of America’s most important early instrument builders. Originally installed in the Single Brethren's House in Bethlehem, the organ was played for George Washington when he visited. The program will feature organist Thomas Dressler, who has performed on historic instruments, including some of the oldest and most significant organs in the United States.

Tickets are $15, $10 for MHS members, and $5 for students and can be reserved on our website: www.moravianhistory.org

09/30/2026

Thank you to Christopher Malone, curator at Historic Trappe, for providing a fascinating talk about Pennsylvania German Redware pottery on Sunday. We learned so much, and Chris's enthusiasm for the topic was contagious!

09/25/2026

We have two great opportunities to explore history this weekend! On Saturday, visitors can enjoy free admission to the museum as part of the Lehigh Valley Passport to History event. Join us between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. for guided tours and to view the special exhibition, "Moravians and the Revolution: Caught in the Crossfire." And, on Sunday, Christopher Malone will talk about Pennsylvania German redware pottery. We look forward to seeing you in the museum!

09/24/2026

A huge thank you to this wonderful group of volunteers from Moravian University! Today was the University's 10th annual Heritage Day, a celebration of Moravian tradition, community, and service. The team helped us in so many ways, including scraping and painting a porch on the historic Whitefield House, removing vines from the stone wall of the 1740 Gray Cottage, weeding our flower beds, and removing old caulk from the logs on the Gray Cottage. It's amazing how much they got done! We are so appreciative of all of their hard work helping care for our historic site.

09/23/2026

Enjoy free admission on Passport to History Day this Saturday, September 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Visitors will enjoy free guided museum tours and the Special Exhibition, "Moravians and the Revolution: Caught in the Crossfire."

Lehigh Valley Passport to History is a partnership of historic sites and resources in and around Pennsylvania’s Lehigh and Northampton counties. The partnership brings awareness to the sites, stories, and communities that bring Lehigh Valley history to life.

Lehigh Valley Passport to History organizes Passport to History weekends throughout the year when local historic and cultural sites open their doors with free admission, tours, activities, and programs for explorers of all ages. You can visit lvhistory.org to learn about all the participating partners.

Address

214 E Center Street
Nazareth, PA
18064

Opening Hours

Monday	1pm - 4pm
Tuesday	1pm - 4pm
Wednesday	1pm - 4pm
Thursday	1pm - 4pm
Friday	1pm - 4pm
Saturday	1pm - 4pm
Sunday	1pm - 4pm

Website

http://www.moravianhistory.org/, https://linktr.ee/moravianhistory

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