In the mid-1960s, a small nonprofit made a decision that would forever shape the future of Bethlehem. On July 1, 1966, Historic Bethlehem Inc. (HBI) – a predecessor of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) – signed a 99-year lease with the City of Bethlehem to preserve a collection of deteriorating 18th- and 19th-century buildings and ruins along the Monocacy Creek.

That pivotal agreement laid the foundation for one of the most significant preservation movements in Pennsylvania, one that observed its 60th year in July. Today, the 10-acre Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) stands as a beautifully preserved testament to the ingenuity of Bethlehem’s early Moravian settlers and the impact they had on the nation, two of the key attributes that helped land Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem on the World Heritage List in 2024.

Among the properties preserved and restored in the CIQ — considered the United States’ earliest industrial center — over the years are the 1762 Waterworks, a National Historic Landmark and the first pumped municipal water system in the American Colonies; the 1761 Tannery, the only extant 18th-century Moravian industrial building in the world; the Luckenbach Mill, built in 1869 on site of the CIQ’s original 1755 grist mill; and the 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House, which was recently restored and opened to the public after being shuttered for two decades.

To commemorate the milestone, construction workers recently began restoration and stabilization work on the stone wall between the Grist Miller’s House and Luckenbach Mill in preparation for the construction of the $1.5-million Overlook on History, a glass-and-steel classroom and exhibition space that will reconnect the Grist Miller’s House to the Luckenbach Mill – much like the two properties were linked in the 19th century.

“For 60 years, the restoration work in Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter has been a shining example of how historic preservation can strengthen a community’s identity and economy,” says Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure. “It shows what is possible when a community comes together to protect its history. Northampton County is honored to be a partner in these efforts, which not only highlight our past but also help fuel a thriving downtown and the county’s cultural and economic vitality, keeping Bethlehem the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site it is today.”

A movement

begins

In the mid-1750s, the Colonial Industrial Quarter was bustling with approximately 35 different crafts, trades and industries as the Moravians made everything they needed to live and thrive in Bethlehem. Fast forward 200 years to the 1950s, and the site housed a salvage yard with rows of discarded cars and trucks. Thanks to a concerned group of citizens, led by Ralph Grayson Schwarz, efforts were soon undertaken to preserve the historic buildings before they were lost forever.

A Bethlehem resident and Bethlehem Steel employee, Schwarz (1925-2018) was a driving force in preserving Bethlehem’s Moravian heritage and rich industrial history. During his time in the city, he served in leadership roles at HBI, Bethlehem Visitors Collegium, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, Burnside Plantation and Historic Bethlehem Partnership (HBP). Schwarz’s efforts played a key role in the city being designated Pennsylvania’s first National Register Historic District in 1961.

“Ralph was a true visionary who combined engineering, architecture, preservation and leadership skills with a love of history that transformed Bethlehem,” says Jim Miller, who served on nonprofit boards with Schwarz in the 1990s and also collaborated with him on restoration projects when Miller served on the board of Historic Bethlehem Partnership. “His ability to bring people at all levels together in a quiet manner to achieve the unthinkable was extraordinary.”

Originally formed in 1957, HBI eventually became part of Historic Bethlehem Partnership, an umbrella group formed in 1993 to consolidate the operations of several Bethlehem-based museums and historic sites. Also included were Burnside Plantation Inc., Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts Inc. and Moravian Museum of Bethlehem Inc. In 2022, the organizations then officially merged to become Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.

As part of their mission, HBMS and its predecessors have invested millions of dollars into the restoration, preservation and interpretation of Bethlehem’s historic district. Today, HBMS is responsible for managing 20 historic properties and sites throughout the city, including the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, housed in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem and a National Historic Landmark; and the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, one of only 15 decorative arts museums in the nation.

Following decades of restoration work in the CIQ, the 10-acre parcel is uniquely positioned as an open green space that offers a beautiful, tranquil reminder of Bethlehem’s history and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. It also stands as the backdrop for world-class events like Musikfest and Celtic Classic, making it an indelible part of Bethlehem’s fabric.

With the restoration of the Grist Miller’s House now complete, the next major project in the CIQ is the development of the Overlook on History. This modern addition to the site is being designed by nationally renowned architect David Scott Parker, whose credits include numerous National Historic Landmarks ranging from the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C. to the Mark Twain House and Greenwich Historical Society in Connecticut. In addition to serving as an educational and community space, the Overlook will offer a panoramic view of the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

“Quite innovative when he introduced the concept, Ralph Schwarz viewed history as an iterative continuum with preservation as a key component in community revitalization,” said Parker, who collaborated with Schwarz on the Tourism Master Plan that eventually led to the formation of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and worked with Schwarz on projects related to the Smithy, Luckenbach Mill, Waterworks and Tannery. “Ralph taught us how to look backward and forward simultaneously – always with a respectful, altruistic sense of purpose, pride and posterity. The Overlook will be both a beacon and a lens that continues this shared vision for Bethlehem’s future.”

While the journey to save Bethlehem’s historic treasures may appear to have been relatively seamless, these efforts are the result of decades of hard work by a community of volunteers, preservation professionals, donors and community-focused organizations.

“HBMS greatly appreciates the efforts of the city and everyone who has invested in Bethlehem and its future through historic preservation efforts over the decades,” says HBMS President and CEO LoriAnn Wukitsch. “We look forward to working with our partners and the community to write the next chapters in Bethlehem’s history over the years to come.”

Contributed article