Education & History
Fig Giving Back: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Tucked along the Monocacy Creek, Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) is considered one of America’s earliest industrial parks.
The collection of 18th-century mills and workshops was built by early Moravian settlers. For 60 years, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) has cared for these landmarks, ensuring their stories continue to educate and inspire.
HBMS oversees an extensive collection of historic buildings, artifacts, tours, and community programs that bring Bethlehem’s unique history to life. Founded by the Moravians in the 1740s, the city’s preservation has long been a local effort sustained by generations of volunteers and advocates.
“If it weren’t for the vision of those early volunteers who wanted to preserve the Colonial Industrial Quarter, everything could have gone in a different direction,” said LoriAnn Wukitsch, HBMS President & CEO. “Now this beautiful space is one of the most photographed locations in Bethlehem.”
That vision was championed by preservation leader Ralph Grayson Schwarz, who would have turned 100 this year. His dedication laid the foundation for the ongoing work HBMS continues today. Nearly every artifact across its 20 historic sites has been donated by community members, reflecting Bethlehem’s shared commitment to keeping its story alive.
This year, HBMS proudly celebrates 60 years of preservation and the recognition of Historic Bethlehem as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Sixty years is an exciting milestone,” said Lindsey Jancay, Vice President and Managing Director of HBMS. “It’s given us a moment to reflect on the needs of our community and historic sites, and to look forward to the future.”
Looking ahead, HBMS has embarked on the Overlook on History Project, an ambitious $1.5 million initiative that will link the restored Grist Miller’s House to the Luckenbach Mill with a striking glass-and-steel classroom and exhibition space. Expected to open in early fall 2026, the project will expand educational programming, welcome more students, and create new opportunities for engagement.
Through the dedication of its volunteers, staff, and supporters, HBMS continues to protect the tangible reminders of Bethlehem’s beginnings while creating space for new stories to unfold.
Experience Bethlehem’s living history and learn more about the Overlook on History project at historicbethlehem.org.
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