July 1 & 2, 2023
Passport to History Month is a celebration of the places, stories, and community that bring local history to life.
Each weekend in July, participating historic and cultural sites in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties will open their doors to the public with free tours, activities, and programs for visitors of all ages. See the schedule for Weekend 1 below:
Participating Historic Sites
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Burnside Plantation
Saturday, July 1 — 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Join us for Saturdays at Burnside and our popular “You Point, We Pick” program. Explore the history of our “farm in the city,” which has been a part of the Moravian community since 1748. Take a peek at the Burnside House, barn, and summer kitchen where you can learn about Colonial cooking. Follow it up with a donation and take home some delicious homegrown veggies, herbs, and/or flowers at Burnside Garden’s “Point and Pick” program, plus tours, and special kids’ activities.
Moravian Museum: 66 W Church St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts: 427 N New St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Luckenbach Mill: 459 Old York Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Saturday, July 1, & Sunday, July 2 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy free admission to our new exhibition, Unspun: Stories of Silk, and children’s activities throughout the museums. We suggest you start at Moravian Museum of Bethlehem then visit Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, and the National Museum of Industrial History (602 E 2nd St, Bethlehem, PA 18015) for this multi-part exhibition. Walk-in guests are welcome but registration is encouraged to help visitors have the most enjoyable experience. A special free ticket link will be posted on our website (click link for site).
Visitors can also view the summer juried exhibition for the Lehigh Art Alliance at Luckenbach Mill throughout the weekend. Artists will be on hand for “Meet and Greets” and demonstrations.
Horner’s Cemetery
Sunday, July 2 — 1 to 4 p.m. (By appointment only)
4965 Nor Bath Blvd, Northampton, PA 18067
Horner’s Cemetery Historical Society is celebrating the 295th anniversary of the founding of Craig’s Scotch-Irish Settlement – the oldest, longest, permanent settlement in the Lehigh Valley – with tours available Sundays between 1- 4 p.m. (*By appointment only). Meet General Brown, friend of President George Washington. Hear about the gift Washington gave to Brown. Visit with the ancestor of President Roosevelt. Learn about Ben Franklin’s tie to Weaversville. Meet a Gregg family, ancestor of President Truman. Please call Peggy Moser at 610-984-4532 to schedule your tour.
Leesport Lock House
Saturday, July 1 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
27 E Wall St, Leesport, PA 19533
The Lock House will be open Saturday, July 1 for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in for a self-guided tour of our 19th-century locktender’s house. Volunteers will be on-site to help with any questions you may have! This is a free event, but donations are always welcome. We will give guided tours of the house and museum room, with old-fashioned games and toys for all ages.
National Museum of Industrial History
Saturday, July 1 & Sunday, July 2 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Enjoy free admission and explore the story of the people, creativity, innovation, and inventions that shaped America into an industrial powerhouse supplying products to the world. Special exhibits include Robert Fulton: Industrious Revolutionary and a spotlight on silk and textiles as part of Unspun: Stories of Silk, a multi-part exhibition displayed across multiple locations in partnership with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Colonial Field Day
Pre-registration required
Saturday, July 1 — 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Round up your family or friends for a spirited colonial competition at Colonial Field Day on Saturday July 1, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Try your hand at playing some popular games from the 18th century, including cup and ball, Jacob’s Ladder, hoop and stick, and more! The winning family will receive a family membership to the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Participants will also receive a hands-on craft kit, including the opportunity to make your own toy or game. Pre-registration is required as space is very limited for this free event. Call (215) 493-4076. 1.5-hour sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. To register, please email Katherine Heugatter at kheugatter@FriendsWCP.org
Rebels & Redcoats Classic Car Show
Sunday, July 2 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As part of its annual Independence Day celebration, Washington Crossing Historic Park hosts a classic car competition in the fifth annual Rebels & Redcoats Classic Car Show on Sunday, July 2. This unique show features American, French, British and German cars, representing the four countries involved in the Revolutionary War.
There will also be an open class for cars of any make, model, and year. Prizes are determined by peer judging. All proceeds from the classic car entry registrations will benefit the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park’s historical and educational programming. The car show is free to public.
Location: The show will be held in the large grassy field across from the Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA) Visitor Center. The address for your GPS is 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA. Be aware that some GPS/maps applications may direct you to New Jersey – that’s not correct! This is happening in Pennsylvania.
Thank you to our sponsors!
First Class Sponsor
Bon Voyage Sponsor
Backpacker Sponsor
*Lehigh Valley Passport to History is funded in part with funding received through the County of Northampton’s Hotel Tax Program, and the County of Lehigh Tourism Development Program.