Featured image: A blacksmith working in the 1750/1761 Smithy – photo credit Howard Levin
Explore the Historic Happenings at Musikfest
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Announces Full Slate of Programming During Festival
BETHLEHEM, PA-Fun-filled family crafts at Luckenbach Mill, open houses at the Grist Miller’s House, 1762 Waterworks and 1750 Smithy; and demonstrating artisans highlighting 18th– and 19th-century trades and crafts are among the wide variety of programming being offered by the nonprofit Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) during Musikfest. Guests can start their historic week by stopping at the Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe on Main Street to pick up water, snacks and, of course, the ever-popular Musikfest Mug.
Enjoy Hands-on Crafts at Luckenbach Mill
Families visiting Festplatz, Familienplatz and other North Side Musikfest venues are invited to swing by the 1869 Luckenbach Mill to explore an array of crafts inspired by the trades and industries practiced in the Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) during the 18th- and 19th– centuries. Pre-registration is not required. Cost per craft is $5 for children and $10 for adults; HBMS members are free.
Craft Schedule (1-5 p.m. each day):
Saturday, August 2 – Air Dry Clay and Bisque Pottery Painting
Sunday, August 3 – Hand Stamped Tote Bags
Thursday, August 7 – Tin Lanterns
Friday, August 8 – Leather Keychains
Saturday, August 9 – Air Dry Clay and Bisque Pottery Painting
Sunday, August 10 – Hand Stamped Tote Bags
Take a Tour
Looking for an awesome way to start your Musikfest day? Discover the history of the company that helped build America on Rise & Fall of Bethlehem Steel, learn about the Moravians’ role during the American Revolution on the John Adams tour, or explore the United States’ newest World Heritage Site — Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem — on the new World Heritage Tour. Seven different HBMS walking tours are being offered during the festival. For the complete schedule, visit historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/musikfest/.
Visit the New Grist Miller’s House
Adjacent to Handwerkplatz and Familienplatz
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the newly restored Grist Miller’s House adjacent to the Luckenbach Mill serves as the entry point and interpretive stop for visitors exploring Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ). In the 1750s, the CIQ was home to approximately 35 crafts, trades and industries, making it the first industrial center in the nation. During Musikfest, the public will be able to visit the Grist Miller’s House, explore the exhibitions on display and watch demonstrating artisans at work. The artisan schedule is as follows (noon-5 p.m. each day):
Friday, August 1
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Saturday, August 2
- Leatherworking with Gary Elsing
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Sunday, August 3
- Leatherworking with Gary Elsing
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Friday, August 8
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Saturday, August 9
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Sunday, August 10
- Textile Demonstrations with Florence Wagner
- Natural Dyes with Tonni Kozie
Tour the 1762 Waterworks
A National Historic Landmark and part of the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem World Heritage Site, the 1762 Waterworks was the first pumped municipal water system in America. On Aug. 1-3 from 1-4 p.m. and Aug. 7-10 from noon-4 p.m., the public can visit this engineering marvel for free, learn about its history and see the 18-foot waterwheel in motion.
Meet Woodworker Scott Lance
Scott Lance brings 18th-century woodworking to life through his business, At the Sign of the Adze, Axe and Chisel. During his immersive demonstrations, guests can witness the vital role carpenters played in early American life, watching period-accurate tools in action and seeing handcrafted items take shape before their eyes. At Musikfest, Lance will be working noon-5 p.m. Aug. 1-3 and Aug. 7-10 at the Springhouse across from the 1761 Tannery in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.
See Blacksmiths at Work
Nestled at the corner of Main and Church Streets, the 1750/1761 Smithy is a popular destination for Musikfest attendees. A recreation of the original blacksmith shop that was constructed on the site in the 18th century, the Smithy features blacksmiths and tinsmiths at work during Musikfest, with these professionals demonstrating how Moravians forged hooks, hinges, door handles and more. The Smithy will be open Aug. 1-3 and 6-10 from noon-6 p.m. On Aug. 1-3 and 8-10, HBMS is also pleased to welcome visiting artist Luke Dellmyer, who is renowned for his blade-smithing skills.
For complete information on Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ programming during Musikfest, visit www.historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/musikfest/.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko
