Hundreds of visitors enjoyed a trip back in time Saturday at the Moravian Archives of Bethlehem … 275 years back in time to be precise.

For one day only, the original 1741 title deed for Bethlehem was on display for the public. Depending on when one arrived, entertainment was provided by the Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir or the members of Moravian College’s Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia performing Moravian instrumental and choral music. The instrumental and choral music, written by the extraordinary American born John Antes (1740-1811), pleased the crowd, as well.

The long stream of spectators caught a first glance of the new “Building Bethlehem exhibit. On display were some of the earliest building plans, drawings, and maps illustrating the development of Bethlehem during the colonial period. The drawings were combined with artifacts, paintings, and nineteenth-century photographs of the buildings.

In the middle of this exhibit sat the 1741 deed, secure in a glass case. Guarding the case and answering difficult questions was volunteer Scott Gordon, a professor at Lehigh University.

“Some interesting questions asked have been about ‘how was the parchment made?’ and ‘how much would the deed cost today?’” Gordon said.

He explained that parchment was made from animal hides that were scraped or dried under tension. He determined that the purchase of the 500 acres of land for 400 pounds in 1741 would be the equivalent of $80,000 today.

Thomas McCullough, archivist at the Moravian Archives, was pleased to see many Bethlehem residents visiting for the first time. The world-renowned archives have remained a mystery to local residents. About 85 percent of the people seeing the exhibit last Saturday had not been inside the Archives before.

McCullough said the Archives receives requests for information from researchers, academics and genealogists from around the world. Historians often express surprise at the pristine condition and extensive types of documents that the Archives contain.

“Immediately upon settling in Bethlehem, the Moravians prioritized the importance of documenting the smallest details of everyday life,” McCullough said. “Not only records of marriages and deaths, but also recipes for medicines, discussions of plans amongst the congregation members and types and quantities of supplies.

“The Moravians recorded their interactions with the larger community. That is why descendants of non-Moravians look to the Archives for documentation of their ancestors,” he added.

Plenty of knowledgeable volunteers, such as Ann Howlett, were on hand to assist in answering questions of the attendees. The volunteers feel that once you become acquainted with the importance of the contents in the Archives, you want to help in any way you can.

The Moravian Archives, located at 41 West Locust St., will have reproductions of the deed for sale, as well as full transcriptions. Deed Day was the first event of the 275th anniversary celebrations of Bethlehem.