The Burnside Plantation was filled with families, little ones, couples and others on Sept. 30 for farm tours. The Burnside plantation was established in 1748, by Bethlehem Moravians James and Mary Burnside. The plantation is now owned and operated by Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites. Burnside Plantation opened its doors to the public to show off beautiful gardens, the preserved farm household cooking presentations, and engage young community members in crafts and various games.

Keith Sten, the Education Tour Coordinator & Site Manager of the Moravian Museum, was assisting visitors throughout the event. According to Keith, this community day was about educating the public, and planning a creative way for people to experience historic Bethlehem. “Today as part of the Open Gates farm tour we have tours of the house and barn...visitors can come to learn a lot more about Burnside Plantation, see the gardens, and hopefully have a lot of fun.”

Keith’s vision was a succsess. Children played in the gardens and enjoyed experiencing colonial cooking. Mother and guest Linda Clewell described the event as “very interesting and informative.” In addition to tours of the house and cooking demonstations, students from Penn State showed communitty members around the Louise W. Dimmick Memorial Garden, filled with beautiful flowers, garden herbs, and fruits that they work diligently every day to preserve.