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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
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NMIH celebrates our 250th

Published June 16. 2026 02:53PM
by Dana Grubb Special to the Bethlehem Press

The National Museum of Industrial History celebrated kicking off its semiquincentennial celebration May 16 introducing a new exhibit, Cheers to 250, Brewing in America. Cheers to 250 runs through March 2027.

Attendees were able to enjoy a lecture, museum tour, machinery demos, music, a Colonial brewing experience, local brewery tastings and a variety of beer related displays inside the museum were featured, along with a food truck.

NMIH executive director Andria Zaia says it took three years of planning with many hours of planning “to bring this history and exhibit to life.” Zaia then introduced the premiere historian of the brewery industry, Richard Wagner whose lecture centered on the changing landscape of America’s brewing industry and how it continues to grow.

On the plaza Craig Larimer and Johan Sandlot demonstrated the colonial brewing process and nearby Keystone Homebrew Supply, Lost Tavern Brewing and Lehigh Valley Homebrewers Tasting Table offered tastings and home brewing experiences. Music was provided by Robbie Lawrence and the Steelworkers Polka Band. Panchita’s Kitchen food truck was available during lunchtime.

Exhibits inside were provided by D.G. Yuengling & Sons, the Forks of the Delaware Bottle Club, Mike Burns of the Can Museum, and more.

NMIH’s 70-person volunteer force helped to coordinate and set up the overall exhibit according to director of development Megan Pildis.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the NMIH online events calendar at nmih.org/events for additional Cheers to 250 special programming.

Press photos by Dana GrubbVolunteers Johan Sundlof and Craig Larimer demonstrate brewing in the style of Moravian settlers in the 1740s.
NMIH Executive Director Andria Zaia greets NMIH board member Carrie Driscole and her father Terry Tersigni, who was visiting from Beverly Hills, Florida.
Visitors to the NMIH Cheers to 250 Brewing in America exhibit will be able to view substantial collections of beer brewing related memorabilia.
Guest lecturer and beer historian Richard Wagner explains that “people are coming back to brewing on a small scale.”
America’s oldest operating brewery, Yuengling’s, has an extensive collection of memorabilia available to view.
Attendees view a ‘Brewing in Colonial America’ display.
Collector Mike Burns holds a 1945 flat top Kreuger Cream Ale can, one of the 30,000 beer cans in his collection.
Collectible beer cans from America’s Bicentennial celebration owned by collector Mike Burns were on display.
Robbie Lawrence and the Steelworkers Polka Band provided outdoor music.