moravian museum of bethlehem

Excellent history of the Moravians and the beginnings of Bethlehem. Gained insight into how the area was founded and how the early settlers lived. A must for anyone to understand the History of Bethlehem.

If you are visiting Bethlehem, the Moravian Museum should be on your must-see list. Given the fact that the city was founded by Moravians and is richly steeped in their heritage, it seems only appropriate to learn about them while you are there. The museum is located in the historic district on the corner of Main and W. Church Streets, across and just down the street from the Hotel Bethlehem.The tour winds its way through the Gemeinhaus, which was the community house where 80 or so Moravians lived and worshipped. You get to see 8-10 rooms containing various artifacts. Specific rooms include the community room, the doctor’s “office” (containing original apothecary jars), the musical instruments room (including the very rare and unusual serpentine horn), the “school” room, and the fire engine room. You will see furniture, clothing, beds, cookware, dishware, and tools.The tour involves going up one fairly steep flight of stairs at the very beginning and then down again at the end. It is definitely not handicapped accessible. The tour lasts 50-55 minutes. The only places you can sit down during the tour are the first room (which has only two chairs) and the community room (which has enough benches for dozens of people). Since these are the first two rooms you will see, be prepared to stand for most of the tour. I can’t remember for sure if there is a public bathroom on site. I vaguely recall from past visits there being a one-person bathroom across the hall from the visitor’s desk, but since I had no need for it this time around I cannot confirm its existence. Plan accordingly.Tours start on the hour. The cost is $12 for adults, but bear in mind that this “Pass Into History” ticket also gives you admission to one other Bethlehem museum / historic site. You can also buy tickets for admission to three or four sites. Tickets can be purchased at the museum itself or at the Visitor Center on Main Street.The Single Sisters’ House, which is part of the Moravian Museum complex and which was only fairly recently opened to the public, has a very limited number of things to see. When I visited there on December 13, 2014, there were only three rooms to see, containing just a Christmas tree and several putz displays (miniature villages or Christmas scenes). Perhaps there will be more to see in time, but at this point I found that site unexciting. You won’t miss much if you skip it.I would also recommend that you look around the larger building complex (behind the museum) wherein the Moravian Museum is situated. There are a number of colonial-style buildings accompanied by several lampposts, trees, and shrubs. The area is very picturesque and has been the subject of many paintings and photos. If you are there in the evening you will see these buildings lit up with candles in all the windows.

Loved the museum with it's Moravian beautiful Putz's , wonderful history and time of an era gone by for everyone to see.

Outstanding tours. We visited the Apothecary, Sisters House, and Gemein House. Guide Loretta was extremely knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. The entire complex of museum buildings is very beautiful and makes for a peaceful stroll.

It was an amazing experience to learn the history of the moravians in Bethlehem, how they reahed there nd how they perform

This museum has wonderful insights into the Moravian church, the Moravians themselves and the history of the town of Bethlehem. The tour guides are well informed and the materials on display are well-presented and preserved (the collection of needlework is extensive and interesting). Partner this visit with a walking tour of the town (for example God's Acre, the Sun Inn and the Moravian Bookshop are all excellent stops) and you can easily spend the entire day without running out of sites. There are also excellent restaurants nearby.

My wife and I visited the Moravian Museum in part to compare it with the Moravian museum in Salem, North Carolina, where settlers from Bethlehem arrived 13 years after settling in Pennsylvania in 1740. It was fascinating to see how the architecture supported the Brotherhood's communal lifestyle. The museum has many artifacts and costumes from the 1700s including a delightful collection of period musical instruments. We enjoyed our visit and our guide was friendly and well-informed.

Just added to the National Register, the Moravian Museum is right in the heart of this modern town as it resurrects and reinvents itself. The buildings and artifacts are beautiful and the guides are friendly, informative and welcoming.Come prepared to walk, do stairs and hills. Comfy shoes are a must but, again, well worth the exertions.

This museum Gemeinhaus in downtown Bethlehem PA has lots of info on the beliefs of the Moravians and their 1700's settlement. Tours give lots of insights on how they lived and worked. Produced from many industries, woodworking, clock making, farming, basket making, music, pottery and were a self sufficient community. Provided for all their members who lived and worked together in the same community house. Emphasis on hard work, religion and education. Buildings are wonderful just for the architecture. large church and other buildings on the grounds along with a graveyard. Fee is $12 to tour but well worth it. Small gift shop on grounds. Easy parking with access to main street in Bethlehem. Open Friday, Sat and Sunday. Hours are 11-4:00pm

Outstanding introduction to the Moravian scene in Bethlehem. Quality very high. Authentic atmosphere, very interesting and better if viewed with benefit of a guide. Excellent for families.

First I must note that the city of Bethlehem, PA is listed in the 1000 Places to See before you Die US edition and the Moravian Museum is one of the specific places to visit. And I am quite happy I did visit as I knew nothing about the Moravian before this (or at least don't remember any of it). It was a delightful tour with an array of artifacts to see, but the best thing was the story of the people themselves and how they came to be in Pennsylvania. So go if you are in the area it is well worth the time and money.

If you visit Bethlehem do not miss this! My 3rd visit and finally was able to do this wonderul tour. You will learn all about the Moravians, how they got the name Moravians, where they came from and how they came to be in Bethlehem, their beliefs and influence here. I had wanted to see the inside of the Gemeinhaus from the first time I saw it. I was not disappointed at all. $12 is the fee and you get admission to more than just this house.

Missed this the first time we visited Bethlehem. Will go back again. Don't miss the delightful stroll among the preserved and restored buildings of Historic Bethlehem. The Moravians have done a great job providing a great lesson in history.

We took the "Death and Dying in Early Bethlehem Cemetery Tour" sponsored by the Historic Bethlehem Society and enjoyed it. This is not some silly spooky Halloween thing. We learned actual history of how the Moravian's viewed death and the traditional rituals that were common at the time they settled in Pennsylvania. Kathy dressed in traditional clothing of the era, gave us a short background about their migration, then explained such things as the Death Tray and Corpse House. She walked us to the nearby cemetery and taught us how is was laid out and why, and provided actual history of some of the people buried there. We found it to be both educational and enjoyable.

Paid $12 per person as a package deal with the Kemmerer. The docent gave a terrific tour and overview of the Moravians, their beliefs and influence here.Some of the elderly had difficulting walking up the hill and then the staircase I noticed, but it is just one flight.You can spend about an hour on the tour (happen on the hour) which I highly recommend