Thousands of people visit Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) annually to enjoy outdoor activities and learn about the beautiful 18th-century structures that are now part of the Moravian Church Settlements—Bethlehem World Heritage Site. Sixty years ago, however, the site was a collection of deteriorating buildings and a salvage yard filled with old cars and trucks.
Thanks largely to the vision of community volunteers led by Ralph Grayson Schwarz, that all changed. A Bethlehem Steel employee, Schwarz envisioned restoring the historic buildings and united the community around the goal of preserving the city’s rich Moravian history.
“Ralph was a true visionary who combined engineering, architecture, preservation and leadership skills with a love of history that transformed Bethlehem,” said Jim Miller, who served on nonprofit boards with Schwarz in the 1990s and also collaborated with him on restoration projects when Miller served on the board of Historic Bethlehem Partnership, a nonprofit formed in 1993 to consolidate the operations of several museums and historic sites in the city. “His ability to unite people at all levels in a quiet manner to achieve the unthinkable was extraordinary.”
A longtime Bethlehem resident, Schwarz was a driving force in preserving Bethlehem’s Moravian heritage and rich industrial history. During his time in the city, he served in leadership roles with historic preservation organizations such as Historic Bethlehem Inc., Bethlehem Visitors Collegium, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, Burnside Plantation, and Historic Bethlehem Partnership. His efforts also played a key role in the city being designated Pennsylvania’s first National Register Historic District in 1961.
Now, the nonprofit Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) is honoring Schwarz’s vision with the development of the Overlook on History, a dynamic glass-and-steel classroom, exhibition, and event space that will reconnect two buildings in the CIQ — the recently restored 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House and 1869 Luckenbach Mill — much like they were in the 19th century. The Grist Miller’s House will also be home to the Ralph G. Schwarz Center for Colonial Industries, where students and the community can visit to learn about the site’s significance as the nation’s first industrial center.
“Historic preservation has been a cornerstone of Bethlehem’s revitalization over the past half-century,” said HBMS President and CEO LoriAnn Wukitsch. “From the vision of early leaders like Ralph Schwarz and Historic Bethlehem Inc., to the many groups that have joined together to protect the city’s historic buildings and structures, the work that has been done has laid the foundation for helping to make Bethlehem one of the leading small cities in the nation.”
The Overlook on History is being designed by nationally renowned architect David Scott Parker, a protégé of Schwarz whose credits include National Historic Landmarks ranging from the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C. to the Mark Twain House and Greenwich Historical Society in Connecticut. In addition to serving as an educational space, the Overlook will offer panoramic views of the CIQ, making it the perfect spot for community celebrations and events such as weddings and receptions.
“Quite innovative when he introduced the concept, Ralph Schwarz viewed history as an iterative continuum with preservation as a key component in community revitalization,” said Parker, who collaborated with Schwarz on the Tourism Master Plan that eventually led to the formation of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and worked with Schwarz on projects related to the 1750 Smithy, Luckenbach Mill, 1762 Waterworks and 1761 Tannery in the CIQ. “Ralph taught us how to look backward and forward simultaneously — always with a respectful, altruistic sense of purpose, pride, and posterity. The Overlook will be both a beacon and a lens that continues this shared vision for Bethlehem’s future.”
In July, crews began the initial construction phases on the Overlook on History, focusing on stabilizing and restoring the historic walls that will serve as the foundation for Overlook. HBMS is in the process of raising funds to complete the $1.5 million construction project, with a goal of having it done by July 2026, which would mark the 60th anniversary of a lease being signed between the City and Historic Bethlehem Inc. to begin restoration work in the CIQ.
“HBMS greatly appreciates the efforts of the City and everyone who has invested in Bethlehem and its future through historic preservation efforts over the decades,” Wukitsch said. “We look forward to working with our partners and the community to write the next chapters in Bethlehem’s history over the years to come — starting with the opening of the Overlook on History.”
Learn more about the Overlook on History and how to get involved — visit HistoricBethlehem.org.
Photo Captions
Ralph Grayson Schwarz
Overlook on History
The Overlook on History in Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter will bring the site’s rich history to life through exhibitions, community events, educational programs, and a panoramic view of the nation’s first industrial center.
