Featured Image: 1750 Smithy (Photo Credit Paul S. Bartholomew)
1750/1761 Smithy Hosts Free Wassail Party for First Time on Nov. 28
BETHLEHEM, PA—Historic Bethlehem’s blacksmith shop will come to life this holiday season with expanded dates, hours and programming. The enhancements are designed to support Main Street merchants and add to the charm of the Christmas City during the important holiday season. The festivities will kick off with the free Wassail Party community open house — coming to the Smithy for the first time — on Friday, Nov. 28, immediately following the City of Bethlehem’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Payrow Plaza.
For 2025, the 1750/1761 Smithy is undergoing a festive “glow-up,” with the addition of flame-flicker-style interior lighting, holiday greens, illuminated trees and a charming vintage carriage photo backdrop that’s perfect for family photos and selfies. Adding to the ambiance will be exterior gas fire pits and solar lighting, while families will enjoy hands-on children’s activities such as weaving and tin punching on the weekends.
A large, enclosed canvas tent adjacent to the Smithy will host demonstrating artisans and showcase one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, perfect for holiday shopping. Highlighting the entire experience will be Historic Bethlehem’s working smiths — led by new Smith of Practice Luke Dellmyer — demonstrating blacksmithing techniques and metal trades such as tinsmithing and pewtersmithing that were essential to life in 18th– and 19th-century Bethlehem.
“We are excited to bring this new holiday celebration to the Smithy this year,” said Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Vice President & Managing Director Lindsey Jancay. “This expansion is all about creating a memorable experience for families and encouraging guests to spend more time at the Smithy and on Main Street. We’re proud to support our fellow merchants while offering this beautiful and unique look at history to our visitors.”
The holiday season at the Smithy officially kicks off with Historic Bethlehem’s Wassail Party Friday, Nov. 28, following the city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Guests are invited to the free open house to enjoy kids’ activities, shop at the new artisans’ tent and watch blacksmiths and artisans at work showcasing colonial trades. Admission is free, but advance signup at HistoricBethlehem.org is requested.
The 2025 Smithy holiday season programming is made possible thanks to the support of Historic Hotel Bethlehem and funding from the Hotel Tax Grant Program through the County of Northampton Department of Community & Economic Development. Smithy days and hours at the beginning of the holiday season are Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-7 from 11 a.m.–6:15 p.m. Starting Dec. 11, the blacksmith shop will be open daily from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Dec. 24-25).
“This year marks the 60th year of the historic preservation efforts in Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter, and the Smithy adjacent to the hotel is an important starting point — especially during the holiday season — for the many people who are interested in learning more about the city’s rich and unique history,” said Historic Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines. “Hotel Bethlehem is pleased to help make this initiative extra-special by partnering once again with our neighbors at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites as we have done on a regular basis throughout the decades in our joint mission to immerse visitors in authentic historic experiences.”
A major draw during the holiday season, Historic Bethlehem’s reconstructed 1750/1761 Smithy is located on Main Street adjacent to Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The original 18th-century Smithy stood until the early 20th century, and in 2004 the shop was reconstructed on its original foundation beside the hotel, strengthening the link between Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) and Historic Main Street. For more information, visit historicbethlehem.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko
