July 15 & 16
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 3 below:
Participating Historic Sites
Durham Historical Society
Saturday, July 15 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
955 Durham Rd. Durham, PA 18039
Tour Durham Township’s 1820s gristmill, which remains largely unchanged and with much of its original machinery.
Forks Township Historical Society – Revolutionary War Era Springhouse
Saturday, July 15 & Sunday, July 16 — 12 to 4 p.m.
3300 Bushkill Drive, Easton PA 18040
The Revolutionary War era springhouse along the historic Bushkill Creek will be open for tours as well as displays of historical pictures and memorabilia of Forks Township.
George Taylor House
Saturday, July 15 — 12 to 4 p.m.
35 S. Front St., Catasauqua, PA 18032
Tour the home of Founding Father George Taylor, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Governor Wolf Historical Society
Saturday, July 16 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
6600 Jacksonville Rd., Bath, PA 18014
Visit the Wolf Academy Historic Site which includes two 18th-century buildings, a 19th-century schoolhouse, and a colonial period garden all set on two+ acres in East Allen Township. The 7th Governor of Pennsylvania, George Wolf, known as the “Father of Public Education in PA” for the law he signed in 1834, was educated on this site.
There will be “Make-it-’n’-Take-it” crafts for everyone, hearth cooking, demonstrations and a newly-designed museum.
Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association
Saturday, July 15 & Sunday, July 16 — 12 to 4 p.m.
8 Race St., Catasauqua, PA 18032
Learn about the rich history of The Iron Borough, visit our museum, gallery, Summer Kitchen, and the D&L Trail and canal. Enjoy refreshments in the garden, and research the early Scots-Irish, German, and Welsh residents and industrialists of Catasauqua.
Horner’s Cemetery
Sunday, July 16 — 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.
Jacobsburg Historical Society
Saturday, July 15 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
402 Henry Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064
Tour the 1832 J. Joseph Henry House, the Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum, Nicholas Hawk Gun Shop, and our beautiful grounds.
Bring your chairs and blankets, and enjoy a full day of music in the gardens of the Henry Homestead.
Featuring: Dave Fry – an award-winning Folk Music performer, entertainer, unique in his ability to entertain all ages. Dave is the founder of Godfrey Daniels, the nationally recognized Bethlehem, PA folk club. Dave brings along a grab bag of instruments, puppets and, a selection of interactive songs and dances for events just like this, so be prepared to have some fun! Performances: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
The Nightbirds Callin’ Band with Dennis Schuller will also be on hand to perform Bluegrass and country with a mix of classic pop music. Performances at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
Saturday, July 15 — 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Enjoy free admission to our 60th Anniversary Celebration, Music in the Valley event!
Music in the Valley features various groups performing traditional music at different locations on the farm. This is a wonderful opportunity to speak to the musicians and learn about folk instruments and the traditional music of the 19th century. Enjoy this special day of wonderful, old-fashioned entertainment.
The event will be held under tents, rain or shine. The day ends with a jam session around 3:30 p.m.
Slate Belt Heritage Center
Saturday, July 15 & Sunday, July 16 — 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
30 N 1st St, Bangor, PA 18013
Visitors can enjoy refreshed exhibits that feature local communities from the early Lenape to 21st century people that worked in the slate, textile and garment industries. All of this is on display inside a 1907 town hall and fire house complete with full-size firefighting apparatus.
The current special exhibit is Centuries of Service: A Salute to Slate Belt Service Clubs. Onsite demonstrations include “Dutch Oven Cooking with Perry Morris.” New outdoor exhibit signs and a self-guided walking tour, sponsored in part by the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development, will lead visitors through Bangor’s historic district with its unique buildings, shops, murals, and the Flory Quarry Hoist.
Upper Milford Historical Society Open House
Sunday, July 16 — 1 to 4 p.m.
Township Municipal Building, 5671 Chestnut St., Old Zionsville, PA 18068
Explore our archives and artifacts, view our new Honor Wall celebrating local war veterans, and have the opportunity to talk to our historian and other members. New items are being added often, so there is always something to discover! Open Houses are held every third Sunday of the month.
Whitehall Historical Preservation Society – Helfrich Springs Grist Mill
Saturday, July 15 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
501 Mickley Rd., Whitehall, PA 18052
Join us for Open Mill/Museum tours of Helfrich Springs Grist Mill and Peter Grim House and discover the history and stories of Whitehall Township.
Williams Township Historical Society – Historic Cemeteries Driving Tour
Saturday, July 15 — 12 to 4 p.m.
Come to Raubsville Cemetery, 205 Royal Manor Rd., in the village of Raubsville to begin.
Visitors will learn a new segment of Williams Township’s history in a carefully laid out historical driving tour that will take them to the township’s cemeteries, both past and present. Volunteers provide maps, historical data on each site, and the early settlers who made that history. Download the driving tour summary
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.