Historic Hotels of America selects 90-year-old murals featuring scenes from Bethlehem’s history
Bethlehem, PA (June 25, 2025) – Historic Hotels of America® recognized Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s George Gray Mural collection as one of the most magnificent hotel art collections in the United States. The Historic Hotels of America® Most Magnificent Art Collections List features 25 museum-quality art collections.“The murals depict some of the most important moments in Bethlehem’s history. This recognition will help share our beloved art with the world,” said Bruce Haines, Managing Partner of Historic Hotel Bethlehem. “It’s a real honor to be selected as a standout artistic destination among HHA’s more than 300 member hotels.”
Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide said, “The authenticity and originality of historic hotels is illustrated in the one-of-a-kind art collections many of them display for guests. Support for artists and endowments to acquire and sustain art collections has been a tradition of many of the founders and builders of historic hotels; fortunately, this tradition continues through the dedication of current ownership and their passion for making it easy for guests of these iconic and legendary hotels to experience some of the finest art collections across the United States of America—while staying at a historic hotel.”
About the George Gray Murals
Seven murals by artist George Gray crown Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s Mural Ballroom. Another hangs directly outside the ballroom. In 1936, the American Hotels Corporation took over the management of Hotel Bethlehem and commissioned George Gray to paint the history of Bethlehem for this hotel. It was part of a vast new mural program for the corporation’s upscale hotels. Measuring up to 30 feet wide, the artworks became minor landmarks in their cities.
The murals painted for Historic Hotel Bethlehem depict stories related to the historic city’s past: The Walking Purchase (1737), The Founding of Bethlehem (1741), General Benjamin Franklin’s Visit (1755), The Liberty Bell in Bethlehem (1777),General Casimir Pulaski (Father of the American Cavalry) visit (1778), Asa Packer & the founding of Lehigh University (1865), Iron & Steel Industry, and a map of The Walking Purchase.
Gray painted more than 200 murals in his lifetime, most of which were commissioned by the American Hotels Corporation. Today, only 26 of his hotel murals survive. The murals at Historic Hotel Bethlehem are the only set in their original location and one of only two complete surviving sets painted by Gray. Historic Hotel Bethlehem is located within a National Historic Landmark District and is adjacent to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2002.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s collection is among well-respected art collections. Other honorees include The Omni Homestead Resort, the Palmer House, and The Pfister Hotel. You can see the full list of Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Art Collections at historichotels.org/us/2025-
This isn’t the first time art experts have recognized Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s murals. In 2023, USA Today named them in a story about hotels with museum-worthy collections.
About Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Historic Hotel Bethlehem, located adjacent to the newest US UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Historic Moravian Bethlehem, is celebrating over 100 years as a community hotel. Guests enjoy the luxury historic destination hotel’s original 1922 elegance in its 125 guest rooms, along with the grandeur of the lobby, two distinct restaurants, two elegant ballrooms and seven meeting rooms. The hotel also offers Nine new Extended Stay Suites, an Executive Conference Center, Ladies Boutique Shoppe, Steel Magnolia Spa & Salon, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, and the Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor serving Penn State Creamery ice Cream. The hotel is affiliated with Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. USA Today named Historic Hotel Bethlehem the ”#1 Best Historic Hotel in the Nation” for four straight years 2021-2024. For more information visithotelbethlehem.com.
About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels from across the United States of America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visitHistoricHotels.org.
