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50th Anniversary Program Series: Upper Places—Early Moravian Settlements in Nazareth
October 21, 2024
WHO: Northampton County Parks & Recreation and the Moravian Historical Society
WHAT: 50th Anniversary Program Series: Upper Places—Early Moravian Settlements in Nazareth
WHERE: Whitefield House, 214 E. Center Street, Nazareth, PA 18064
WHEN: November 6, 2024 at 7:00PM
Northampton County Parks & Recreation will conclude its 50th Anniversary program series with a special presentation in partnership with the Moravian Historical Society at the Whitefield House at 214 E. Center Street, Nazareth, PA on November 6 at 7:00 PM. Tom McCullough, assistant archivist of the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, will present an illustrated talk and chronicle the “Upper Places” situated on the historic Nazareth Tract. Drawing on archival materials and collection highlights, the presentation will shed light on early Moravian settlements, including Gracedale.
The Northampton County-owned Gracedale Complex in Upper Nazareth Township was originally established in 1745 as a Moravian settlement called Gnadenthal. Together with Nazareth, Christian’s Spring (Christiansbrunn) and Friedensthal, Gracedale was part of the Moravian “Upper Places,” which encompassed thousands of acres in the heart of today’s Northampton County.
Today, the 350-acre Gracedale Campus is home to the Parks & Recreation maintenance facility, open space lands, a long-term care facility, Emergency Management Services, the Forensics Center, Conservation District, Agricultural Extension and Farmland Preservation offices.
The public is invited to come to this free program on November 6th and learn what Gracedale and the other “Upper Places” were like 280 years ago. This program is sponsored in partnership with Northampton County Parks and the Moravian Historical Society. Seating is limited and reservations are required. To join the guest list register at https://www.moravianhistory.org/music-and-lectures
Visitors can also view the special exhibition, Grounds for Meditation: Moravian Pleasure Gardens. The exhibition explores early American parks through images and recollections of historic Moravian gardens.
Founded in 1872, the Moravian Historical Society (MHS) preserves, interprets and celebrates the rich culture of the Moravians. Located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, MHS maintains the 1740-1743 Whitefield House and the 1740 Gray Cottage, the oldest surviving Moravian structure in North America. Recognized widely for its significant collections, the museum offers permanent and changing exhibitions, educational programs, guided tours and public activities. The Moravian Historical Society’s Museum is open daily from 1:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For more information, visit www.moravianhistory.org, or call 610-759-5070, or send an email to events@moravianhistory.org
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