The Californer - Be the First to Experience the Latest World Heritage Site in the United States with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites

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Moravian Museum 1741 Gemeinhaus© Paul Bartholomew

The Moravian Church Settlements were inscribed today as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Californer -- Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) is thrilled to be among the organizations that worked to add the Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.

The historic Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem, USA, Gracehill, Northern Ireland and Herrnhut, Germany, were inscribed on the prestigious list at the World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India, on July 26, and now join Christiansfeld, Denmark, (inscribed in 2015) as a single World Heritage Site. The designation represents these historic settlements' outstanding universal value and the Moravian Church's global influence.

"Today's historic designation is a testament to everyone who has walked the grounds and made the Moravian settlement a part of Bethlehem's foundation," said LoriAnn Wukitsch, HBMS's president & CEO. "Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the supporters and volunteers dedicated to this decades-long process. The recognition underscores the importance of preserving these historic sites for future generations, and we are honored to join our international partners in showcasing the impact of the Moravian settlements on our world's cultural and historical landscape."

HBMS, spent over two decades working to add Historic Moravian Bethlehem to the World Heritage List, joined by the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, and Moravian University. The inscription site spans 10 acres and includes nine structures, four ruins and God's Acre cemetery, all within the already designated Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District. Among these sites are:

The 1741 Gemeinhaus, the oldest building in Bethlehem, which houses the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.
The 1762 Waterworks, an ASCE Historic Civil Engineering and American Water landmark, was America's first pumped municipal water system in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

"We are honored to welcome guests to tour Bethlehem's most significant Moravian buildings and sites. Summer is the perfect time to experience the Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem," stated Lindsey Jancay, HBMS Vice President & Managing Director. "Our Historic Bethlehem Walking Tours with a costumed, certified docent are a real step back in time. Or, visitors can tour at their own pace with the self-guided Heritage Trail (https://www.historicbethlehem.org/experiences/s...) – a great way to experience over 275 years of history in our community."

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HBMS's mission is to deepen the public's understanding and appreciation for Bethlehem's dynamic history by providing unique and engaging experiences that explore and commemorate the contributions of the Moravian community. Through the preservation of original buildings and sites, comprehensive exhibits, research collections, and educational programs, the organization reveals the unique role that Bethlehem and its people played in the formation of the United States. The nonprofit preserves and maintains 20 historic buildings, seven gardens, five ruins, an orchard, and over 60,000 artifacts across 20 acres of land in Bethlehem.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites offers unique programs to help guide visitors through the experience, and staff are available to assist with itineraries, ticket purchases, tour bookings, and to answer general questions about the region.

Learn more about HBMS's offerings by visiting www.historicbethlehem.org.

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ABOUT HISTORIC BETHLEHEM MUSEUMS & SITES

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) is a nonprofit institution that brings to life three centuries of American history. HBMS tells the story of a small town of great influence, home to some of our nation's earliest settlers, America's first municipal water pumping system, and one of the world's greatest industrial companies. HBMS is located in eastern Pennsylvania, only a 1-hour drive from Philadelphia to the North and 2 hours west of New York City. HBMS is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and part of Historic Moravian Bethlehem, which is a National Historic Landmark District. Historic Moravian Bethlehem, Gracehill in Northern Ireland, and Herrnhut in Germany comprise the Moravian Church Settlements World Heritage Site, which was inscribed by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in July 2024. For more information, visit historicbethlehem.org (https://www.historicbethlehem.org/).

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