Passport to History Month Returns –

5 Weekends in July

Carey Birgel

media@lvhistory.org

610-462-4002

www.lvhistory.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PASSPORT TO HISTORY MONTH RETURNS IN JULY 2023

LEHIGH VALLEY (June 22, 2023) – Passport to History Month returns this July, featuring five weekends of old-fashioned summer fun.

More than 35 historic sites in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties invite you to step back in time with free admission, tours, activities, and programs for visitors of all ages.

What might you discover?

• Museums, libraries, & special exhibitions
• Historic sites including homesteads, colonial taverns, springhouses, mills, tileworks, schools, gardens, 18th-century mansions, and cemeteries.
• Learn about the people, cultures, events, and innovations that shaped our community, from the original Native American inhabitants to modern day.
• Living history re-enactments and heritage craft & skill demonstrations.
• Live music, colonial field days, classic car shows, and mule-drawn canal boat rides
• Antique book sales, flea markets, and gift shops.
• For children and families: old-fashioned games, crafts, stories, scavenger hunts, farm chores, interactive exhibitions, and activities.

Join us for this celebration of the places, stories, and community that bring local history to life!

As Stephanie Tashner, President of the Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, notes, “Passport to History Month is your portal to discover, explore, and share the narrative of the Lehigh Valley, and beyond. Take the trip! This is a ‘staycation’ you are sure to enjoy.”

“The greater Lehigh Valley area has an incredibly rich and diverse history,” said Susan Ellis, the Marketing Chair for Lehigh Valley Passport to History and Executive Director of Moravian Historical Society.

“Lehigh Valley Passport to History is proud that our partners are making historic sites and museums accessible to everyone by providing free admission during their featured weekend. This is a terrific opportunity to learn about the cultural resources in this area, and we hope people will spend a weekend or two—or five! exploring the history of our region.”

Kara Mohsinger, President & CEO of the National Museum of Industrial History, adds, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the many other cultural assets in our community to engage and inspire visitors of all ages. Lehigh Valley Passport to History has been a wonderful partnership.”

Participating Partner Sites

Sites are open all weekend unless otherwise noted

• Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
• Horner’s Cemetery – Sunday only. By appointment
• Leesport Lock House – Saturday only
• National Museum of Industrial History
• Washington Crossing Historic Park

Weekend 2: July 7, 8 & 9

Sites are open all weekend unless otherwise noted

• 1753 Bachmann Publick House – Saturday only
• Asbury Grist Mill – Saturday only
• Historic Easton Cemetery – Sunday only
• Horner’s Cemetery – Sunday only. By appointment
• Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania – Saturday & Sunday
• National Canal Museum – Friday only
• Parsons-Taylor House – Sunday only
• PAZA, Tree of Life at Easton Cemetery – Sunday only
• Sigal Museum – Friday & Saturday
• Whitehall Historical Preservation Society Helfrich Springs Grist Mill – Saturday only

Weekend 3: July 15 & 16

Sites are open all weekend unless otherwise noted

• Durham Historical Society Gristmill – Saturday only
• Forks Township Historical Society Revolutionary War Era Springhouse
• George Taylor House – Saturday only
• Governor Wolf Historical Society – Saturday only
• Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association
• Horner’s Cemetery – Sunday only. By appointment
• Jacobsburg Historical Society – Saturday only
• Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm – Saturday only
• Slate Belt Heritage Center
• Upper Milford Historical Society – Sunday only
• Whitehall Historical Preservation Society Helfrich Springs Grist Mill – Saturday only
• Williams Township Historical Society – Saturday only

Weekend 4: July 21, 22 & 23

Sites are open all weekend unless otherwise noted

• 1803 House – Saturday & Sunday
• Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum – Saturday & Sunday
• Coopersburg Historical Society – Saturday only
• Emmaus Historical Society – Friday-Sunday
• Horner’s Cemetery – Sunday only. By appointment
• Knauss Homestead – Saturday & Sunday
• Lower Macungie Township Historical Society – Saturday & Sunday
• Moravian Historical Society – Satuday & Sunday
• Northampton Area Historical Society – Saturday & Sunday
• Weatherly Area Museum – Saturday only
• Whitehall Historical Preservation Society Helfrich Springs Grist Mill – Saturday only

Weekend 5: July 29 & 30

Sites are open all weekend unless otherwise noted

• Horner’s Cemetery – Sunday only. By appointment
• Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum – Saturday only
• Lower Saucon Township Historical Society at Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse – Saturday only
• Quakertown Historical Society – Saturday only
• Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
• The TileWorks of Bucks County – Saturday only
• Whitehall Historical Preservation Society with The 153rd Civil War Re-enactors – Saturday only. Also open for tours on Sunday

Click the itinerary link for a full list of activities and open times for each partner site.

Passport to History Month is supported in part with funding received through the County of Northampton Hotel Tax Program and the County of Lehigh Tourism Development Program.

About Passport to History:

Lehigh Valley Passport to History is a partnership of 66 historic sites and resources in and around the Lehigh Valley region, including sites in Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Monroe, Montgomery, and Warren counties. The group helps to promote local tourism and shares historical activities, events, tours, and exhibitions throughout the Valley, and beyond. Explore more at lvhistory.org.

Passport to History is supported in part with funding received through the County of Northampton Hotel Tax Program and the County of Lehigh Tourism Development Program.