Upcoming Events

Explore the Past with Passport to History Partner Sites

DECEMBER 2023

As we enter this most festive time of year, our historic sites are at their most magical, and partners are bringing you a month of joyful events that evoke a spirit of community and our shared past.

 

We invite you to visit for holiday open houses and markets, special exhibitions, craft workshops, and family traditions that offer moments of respite amidst the bustle of the season. Browse museum shops or consider giving a gift of membership to your favorite local history group. Each membership or donation is deeply appreciated and will support education and preservation initiatives.

 

We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday. Thank you for sharing history with us!

ALL MONTH LONG – INCLUDES HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

1758 Sun Inn – Winter Garden

Now through December 24

Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main Street, Bethlehem

More Info

 

Atlas Cement Museum – School and Group Tours

The museum is open for school and group tours for 10 or more people, by appointment only. Public openings resume in 2024.

Call 610-262-4562 for an appointment.

More Info

 

Emmaus Historical Society

Open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., December 2, 9 & 16

Closed on December 23 & 30

*During December, EHS is also collecting new scarfs, hats, gloves or socks for their “Help Those in Need” holiday project!

218 Main Street, Emmaus

More Info

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach Tour

Now through December 31- Select dates

5 p.m., 6 p.m., or 7 p.m.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main Street, Bethlehem

$25 Adult | $20 Child

More Info

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Christmas Carriage Rides

Now through February 14, 2024 – Select dates

Multiple times, 4-9 p.m.

Depart from the Kemerer Museum, 427 N. New Street, Bethlehem

$90 (Add an audio tour for $10)

More Info

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Christmas City Stroll

Multiple times, Daily through January 7, 2024 (no tours on 12/25 & 1/1)

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$17 Adult | $12 Adult Member | $11 Child |$8 Child Member

More Info & Tickets

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Historic Bethlehem Live Advent Calendar

5:30 p.m., every night December 1-December 23

1810 Goundie House, 501 Main Street, Bethlehem

Free

More Info

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tours (Adults only)

4 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 30

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$25 Adult | $20 Member

More Info & Tickets

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Sweets & Treats

Purchase traditional treats online for the holiday table or gifting.

More Info & Shop

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Trees of Historic Bethlehem

Now through January 7, 2024 – Select dates

11-5 p.m., various times

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$14 – $25

More Info

 

Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association – The Biery House Holiday Shoppe

Weekends though December 17

Fridays 4-8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays 12-4 p.m.

Unique handmade gifts from 40+ crafters and artists, plus wreaths and decorations. Take photos in the Victorian carriage!

8 Race Street, Catasauqua (parking in rear, enter from Union Street)

More Info

 

Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society – Tours in Celebration of 295 Years of Craig’s Settlement, the oldest permanent settlement in the Lehigh Valley

Tours by appointment

4965 Nor Bath Boulevard, Northampton

Free admission – donations welcome

Call Peggy at 610-984-4532 to schedule.

 

Kutztown Area Historical Society – Museum Open & Model Trains Running

1-3 p.m.

Sundays, December 3, 10, 17, January 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2024

212 S. Whiteoak Street, Kutztown

More Info

 

Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum – Pip the Mouse Holiday Puppet Show

Saturday, December 16 & 23

Tuesday, December 26 – Saturday, December 30

Shows: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.

$10 Adults | $3 Children (2-11) | Free Members and Children under 2

432 West Walnut Street, Allentown

More Info

 

Lower Macungie Township Historical Society

Open Sundays from 1-4 p.m. (except holidays)

Camp Olympic barn, lower level, 3120 South Cedar Crest Boulevard, Emmaus

More Info

Learn more about the Fries Rebellion Film Project

 

Moravian Historical Society – Annual Jennie Trein Putz Exhibit

Now through January 7, 2024

1-4 p.m. Daily Tours available at 1:45, 2:45, and 3:45 p.m.

Admission is free but advance registration is encouraged.

Gray Cottage, 214 E. Center Street, Nazareth

More Info & Tickets

 

Moravian Historical Society – Guided Museum Tour

Daily, 1-4 p.m.

214 E. Center Street, Nazareth

Enjoy a guided tour of the 1740-1743 Whitefield House Museum and learn about the significant contributions Moravians made to music, art, education, and culture in early America. Our museum features an outstanding collection of objects related to early Pennsylvania history.

$8 Adults | $6 Students and Seniors | Free MHS Members and Children (Under 5)

More Info

 

Moravian Historical Society – Sit-n-Stitch Demonstrations with Lehigh Valley Embroiderers’ Guild of America Members

in honor of the Stitch by Stitch: Celebrating 45 Years of Lehigh Valley Embroiderers’ Guild of America exhibition

Sundays from 1-4 p.m. (December 3, 10, 17)

214 E. Center Street, Nazareth

Free program

More Info

 

Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society – The Giving Tree: In Partnership with the Children’s Home of Easton

Now through December 17

Sigal Museum – 342 Northampton Street, Easton

More Info

 

Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society – Sigal Museum at Easton Winter Village

November 18 – December 17

Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m.

Downtown Easton & 342 Northampton Street

Sigal Museum will be open with holiday shopping in the Museum Store and family activities. Museum admission is free to the community on Sundays. Admission includes the new exhibition, Forged by Fire: The Heroism, Honor, and History of Firefighting in Northampton County.

More Info

 

Pearl S. Buck House – Festival of Trees

Now through January 7, 2024

520 Dublin Road, Perkasie

$10 Holiday Decor Tour | Combination Tickets for Decor + Pearl S. Buck Life & Legacy Tours: $18 Adults | $15 Seniors (62+) |$10 Students | $14 per person Group Rate. Registration required

More Info & Tickets

 

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum – Nostalgic Christmas Trains Model Train Display

Weekends – Now until January 14, 2024 (except holidays)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays

12-4 p.m. Sundays

500 S. Third Street, Hamburg

$9 Adults | $8 Seniors | $3 Children (5-12) | Free Children ages 4 and under

More Info

 

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center – Christmas Putz Display

All Open Hours, Tuesday-Sunday

Now until February 2024

Enjoy two traditional Pennsylvania German Christmas displays created by our volunteers using historical Putz figures and vintage farm building toys.

105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg

Free

More Info

 

Washington Crossing Historic Park Tours

Crossing the Delaware, Thompson-Neely Grist Mill, and Bowman’s Hill Tower and Wildflower Preserve Tours

1112 River Road, Washington Crossing

Prices and times vary

Reservations and More Info

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Berks History Center – Exhibit: A Snapshot in TIme: Phase II

Now through fall 2023

940 Centre Avenue, Reading

Free admission

More Info

 

Coopersburg Historical Society – Exhibition: Leaders and Legends of Coopersburg

Now through 2024

Town Hall, 5 North Main Street, Coopersburg

Free admission, donations welcome. By appointment

Email Coopersburghistory@gmail.com to schedule.

More Info

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Exhibition: Unspun: Stories of Silk

Now through January 28, 2024

Presented at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 W. Church Street), the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N. New Street, Bethlehem), and the National Museum of Industrial History (602 E 2nd Street, Bethlehem)

Combination ticket to access all three sites:

$30 for Adults | $22 for Children (7-18) | Children (6 and under) are free HBMS members and NMIH members get into all sites free for the duration of the exhibition.

More Info & Tickets

 

Moravian Historical Society – Stitch by Stitch: Celebrating 45 Years of Lehigh Valley Embroiderers’ Guild of America

*Includes “Sit-n-Stitch” demonstrations, Sundays from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Now through February 25, 2024

214 E. Center Street, Nazareth

$8 Adults | $6 Seniors (65+) & Students (under 18) | Free Children (under 5) & Members

More Info

 

National Canal Museum – Exhibition: Coal Country Portraits

Weekends through December 17

2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton

$8 Adults | $7 Seniors (65+) | $6 Children (3-15) | Free Children (under 3), D&L Members

More Info

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National Museum of Industrial History – Exhibition: New and Improved! The Age of Convenience in the Home

Now through September 29, 2024

602 E. 2nd Street, Bethlehem

Included in regular museum admission. Free Children 6 and younger |

$10 Youth 7-17 | $10 Students | $12 Veterans/Educators/Seniors (65 and older) | $15 Adults 18-64

More Info

 

Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society – Exhibition: Forged by Fire: The Heroism, Honor, and History of Firefighting

Now through July 7, 2024

Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton Street, Easton

$10 Adults | $8 Seniors (55+), Children 6+, Teachers, Students, and Active Military |Free Members, Children 5 and under

More Info

 

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum – Nostalgic Christmas Trains Model Train Display

Weekends – Now until January 14, 2024 (except holidays)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays

12-4 p.m. Sundays

500 S. Third Street, Hamburg

$9 Adults | $8 Seniors | $3 Children (5-12) | Free Children ages 4 and under

More Info

 

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center – Exhibit: Christmas Putz

All Open Hours, Tuesday-Sunday

Now until February 2024

Enjoy two traditional Pennsylvania German Christmas displays created by our volunteers using historical Putz figures and vintage farm building toys.

105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg

Free

More Info

 

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center – Exhibition: A Culinary Journey from Germany to Pennsylvania

Now through May 10, 2024

105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg

Free admission

More Info

 

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center – Exhibit: A Loving Tribute to a Quiltie Lady: The Quilts of Nancy Roan

Now through April 14, 2024

105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg

Free admission

More Info

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HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tours (Adults only)

4 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 30

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$25 Adult | $20 Member

More Info & Tickets

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Christmas City Stroll Walking Tours

Multiple times, Daily through January 7, 2024 (no tours on 12/25 & 1/1)

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$17 Adult | $12 Adult Member | $11 Child |$8 Child Member

More Info & Tickets

 

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites – Themed Group Walking Tours Available by Appointment in December

Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center, 505 Main Street, Bethlehem

$10/$6 Adult & Child Members | $15/$9 Adult & Child Non-Members

More Info

 

Moravian Historical Society – Historic Nazareth Walking Tours

2 p.m., every second Saturday of the month

*December Tours during 12/9 Christmas in Nazareth event

214 E. Center Street, Nazareth

Free for Members and Children under 5 | $10 Non-Members

Tickets & Info

 

Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society –

Easton Historic District Walking Tours (through 12/16)

2 p.m., Saturdays

Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton Street, Easton

Pre-registration is required.

?Free for NCHGS Members | $10 Non-Members

More Info & Register

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Event Calendar

Friday, December 1

Boyertown Area Historical Society – Historic Holiday Tour

4-9 p.m.

House Tour starts at the Society, 43 S. Chestnut Street, Boyertown

$20. Tickets can be purchased online or at local businesses

More Info & Tickets

 

Governor Wolf Historical Society – Candlelight House Tour

5:30 p.m.

6600 Jacksonville Road, Bath

$45 Members | $55 Non-Members. Registration required

Send your name, phone number, email address, number of patron tickets, and a check made payable to “Gov. Wolf Historical Society” to Carol Bear, Candlelit Tour, 207 W. Northampton Street, Bath, PA 18014. Or call 610-837-9015.