Featured Image: 1750 Smithy (Photo Credit Paul S. Bartholomew)<\/p>\n
1750\/1761 Smithy Hosts Free Wassail Party for First Time on Nov. 28<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n BETHLEHEM, PA\u2014Historic Bethlehem\u2019s 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 \u2014 coming to the Smithy for the first time \u2014 on Friday, Nov. 28, immediately following the City of Bethlehem\u2019s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Payrow Plaza.<\/p>\n For 2025, the 1750\/1761 Smithy is undergoing a festive \u201cglow-up,\u201d with the addition of flame-flicker-style interior lighting, holiday greens, illuminated trees and a charming vintage carriage photo backdrop that\u2019s 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\u2019s activities such as weaving and tin punching on the weekends.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s working smiths \u2014 led by new Smith of Practice Luke Dellmyer \u2014 demonstrating blacksmithing techniques and metal trades such as tinsmithing and pewtersmithing that were essential to life in 18th<\/sup>– and 19th<\/sup>-century Bethlehem.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited to bring this new holiday celebration to the Smithy this year,\u201d said Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Vice President & Managing Director Lindsey Jancay. \u201cThis 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\u2019re proud to support our fellow merchants while offering this beautiful and unique look at history to our visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n The holiday season at the Smithy officially kicks off with Historic Bethlehem\u2019s\u00a0Wassail Party Friday, Nov. 28,\u00a0<\/strong>following the city\u2019s Tree Lighting Ceremony. Guests are invited to the free open house to enjoy kids’ activities, shop at the new artisans\u2019 tent and watch blacksmiths and artisans at work showcasing colonial trades. Admission is free, but advance signup at\u00a0HistoricBethlehem.org<\/a>\u00a0is requested.<\/p>\n 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.\u20136:15 p.m. Starting Dec. 11, the blacksmith shop will be open daily from 11 a.m.\u20135 p.m. (closed Dec. 24-25).<\/p>\n \u201cThis year marks the 60th<\/sup>\u00a0year of the historic preservation efforts in Bethlehem\u2019s Colonial Industrial Quarter, and the Smithy adjacent to the hotel is an important starting point \u2014 especially during the holiday season\u00a0 \u2014 for the many people who are interested in learning more about the city\u2019s rich and unique history,\u201d said Historic Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines. \u201cHotel 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.\u201d<\/p>\n A major draw during the holiday season, Historic Bethlehem\u2019s reconstructed 1750\/1761 Smithy is located on Main Street adjacent to Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The original 18th<\/sup>-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\u2019s Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) and Historic Main Street. For more information, visit\u00a0historicbethlehem.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: Featured Image: 1750 Smithy (Photo Credit Paul S. Bartholomew) 1750\/1761 Smithy Hosts Free Wassail Party for First Time on Nov. 28\u00a0 BETHLEHEM, PA\u2014Historic Bethlehem\u2019s blacksmith shop will come to life … Continue reading Historic Bethlehem\u2019s Blacksmith Shop Announces Expanded Programming and Activities for 2025 Holiday Season<\/span>
\nMark Demko<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"