Moravian Historical Society

Moravian Historical Society 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 Mag

azine'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.

🎓Congratulations to all of this year’s Nazareth Area High School graduates! This image shows another special graduation ...
06/03/2026

🎓Congratulations to all of this year’s Nazareth Area High School graduates! This image shows another special graduation in Nazareth. In 1940, Nazareth celebrated its bicentennial year and the High School held their graduation ceremony at the Nazareth Borough Park. This image shows the recession of seniors leaving the Park Amphitheater. This was the forty-fourth commencement of the Nazareth High School.

Best of luck to the 2026 graduates! 🎉

In anticipation of the 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival, we're back with another Vendor Spotlight! Svetlana Designs s...
06/01/2026

In anticipation of the 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival, we're back with another Vendor Spotlight! Svetlana Designs specializes in elegant and timeless jewelry in sterling silver inspired by nature and the orient.

Using ancient and modern techniques creates highly textured, sculptural pieces that will become a great addition to your accessory collection.

Come by on June 6 to see all of our vendors of handmade items, including jewelry, wood, paintings, soaps and candles, fabric and fiber arts, and metalwork. The Festival will also host live music and entertainment, food and beverage trucks, and kids' activities.

We can't wait to see you there!

Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 10AM to 4PM for the 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival. Shop with our fabulous arts an...
05/29/2026

Join us on Saturday, June 6, from 10AM to 4PM for the 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival. Shop with our fabulous arts and crafts vendors, enjoy tasty food and beverages while listening to live music, and entertain the kiddos with free children’s activities. Entrance to the Festival is FREE!

Check out our vendor spotlights and be sure to shop with all of our artists for one-of-a-kind creations!

The Festival takes place on Saturday, June 6, on the beautiful, tree-filled grounds of the Moravian Historical Society: 214 E. Center Street, Nazareth, PA. Free street parking is available.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors: ESSA Bank, A.A. Lapp, Fidelity Bank, the County of Northampton Department of Community & Economic Development, and the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.


We were honored to host members of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Over the last two days, we shared some of the more...
05/27/2026

We were honored to host members of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Over the last two days, we shared some of the more than 400 objects in our collection from Alaska. We were grateful for their expertise in helping us better understand the history of these objects that were collected by Moravian missionaries.

On this Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day originated in...
05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War. This Civil War kepi was worn by Private Jacob Itterly. Enlisted as a volunteer with the 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Itterly was part of the Union’s 11th Corps, 1st Division--a division symbolized by the red crescent sewn onto Private Jacob Itterly’s hat. The number 217 on the hat refers to Lafayette Post No. 217--an Easton outfit.

The 11th Corps participated in two major battles: the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg. At Chancellorsville, the Corps’ headquarters dismissed intel about General Jackson’s approach as baseless rumors. This mistake led to 217 deaths, 1,218 wounded, and 972 captured or missing. The 11th Corps’ fortune at the Battle of Gettysburg was similarly devastating. Under the guidance of General Barlow, the 1st Division blundered on the battle’s first day as it attempted to reach high ground atop what is now called Barlow Hill. Barlow was wounded and captured as the flank collapsed. Retreat of the Union army to Cemetery Hill followed and the Union’s prospects seemed grim until it held ground the following evening. Pickett's Charge on the third day resulted in significant loss of Confederate troops, the “high watermark of the Confederacy,” and changed prospects for the overall war’s outcome.

Although the Union won the battle and eventually the war, many of the 11th Corps soldiers did not survive the three day battle. 368 were killed, 1,922 wounded, and 1,511 captured or missing. Jacob Itterly survived the war, dying in 1909.

The Moravian Historical Society will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, May 25 and 26.

Did you know that we are a Blue Star Museum? Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the A...
05/20/2026

Did you know that we are a Blue Star Museum? Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of War, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families each summer. The program begins on Armed Forces Day in mid-May and ends on Labor Day at the beginning of September.

This Memorial Day weekend, on Saturday, May 23, children ages 6 to 12 are invited to learn about the Civil War with Moravian University archivist, Cory Dieterly.

And, all summer long, you can explore our special exhibition, "Moravians & the Revolution: Caught in the Crossfire."

We hope to see you at the museum this summer!

Thank you to everyone who attended the 1776 Tannenberg Organ Concert on Sunday, May 17. Thanks to Andy McLeod, curator ...
05/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the 1776 Tannenberg Organ Concert on Sunday, May 17. Thanks to Andy McLeod, curator of collections, for providing a bit of history about David Tannenberg's experience during the Revolutionary War. And, special thanks to Philip Cooper, organist, for bringing our organ to life!

Thank you Lower Macungie Township Historical Society for visiting and for sharing your wonderful photos!
05/18/2026

Thank you Lower Macungie Township Historical Society for visiting and for sharing your wonderful photos!

On Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m., children ages 6 through 12 are invited to learn about the Civil War with Cory Dieter...
05/18/2026

On Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m., children ages 6 through 12 are invited to learn about the Civil War with Cory Dieterly, Moravian University Archivist. Listen to the story "You Wouldn't Want to be a Civil War Soldier" by Thomas Ratliff, see an authentic Civil War uniform, and make a craft related to the soldier experience. Learn about the history of Memorial Day and explore objects related to the Civil War. The program is free to attend. Register in advance at www.moravianhistory.org. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

🎶Are you curious about the musical heritage of this area? Join our education specialist on Saturday, May 16 for an speci...
05/14/2026

🎶Are you curious about the musical heritage of this area? Join our education specialist on Saturday, May 16 for an special guided museum tour of the musical history of Nazareth. You will see some of the first musical instruments of their kind made in America and learn how the Moravian's love of music created a lasting legacy that continues today.

The tour starts at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. More details are available at www.moravianhistory.org/special-tours.

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

https://linktr.ee/moravianhistory

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