The 1741 Gemeinhaus is the oldest remaining structure in Bethlehem. It was designated a National Historic Landmark as the birthplace and residence of Lewis David von Schweinitz, the Father of American Mycology. The building is part of the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District, one of only eight such districts in Pennsylvania and about 200 in the United States. Thousands of people tour the Historic District each year to experience the wonderful sense of place in Bethlehem.
In the 18th century, Moravian settlers from Europe established a communal society here as part of an international religious network and social experiment. Bethlehem was the principal base for Moravians in the New World serving as both the religious and administrative center for the Moravian Church in North America. The surviving buildings and structures are outstanding examples of German Colonial architecture and Moravian town planning.
Today, the 1741 Gemeinhaus is the home of the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem. It is believed to be the largest 18th-century log structure in continuous use in the United States. Built of white oak timbers in the German Colonial style, it was constructed in two stages with the center and western portions begun in 1741 and the eastern section begun in 1742 and completed in 1743. In 1777, the Gemeinhaus was parged with stucco and scored to resemble coursed stone. In 1868, the parging was removed and replaced with wooden clapboards. Visitors can see the logs beneath the clapboards in the breezeway of the building.
It’s hard to believe that for a few years the entire community, approximately 80 people, lived together in this log structure. It provided home, church, classrooms, kitchens, workrooms, and healthcare as the community was building their choir (residential) houses along Church Street. The Gemeinhaus remained a residence for single and widowed women until 1966 when it became home to the Moravian Museum. Today, visitors journey to Bethlehem to learn about these early Lehigh Valley residents. Docents provide tours that tell the story of the original settlement and its unique community.
Visitors are often surprised to learn what life was like here in Bethlehem in the 1700s. Many Moravian buildings, still standing today, reflect the ingenuity, creativity, and universality of Moravian thinking and philosophy. The Moravians believed that all people, both men and women, should receive the same education; that all people should receive health care; that women should have equal rights with men in the community; and that all people should work together for the good of the community without prejudice regarding race, gender, or ethnicity. At one time in the mid-18th century, 15 different languages were spoken in Bethlehem. During the first 20 years of the settlement, Europeans, African Americans, and American Indians lived, worked, worshiped, and went to school together.
Historic Moravian Bethlehem has a high degree of both integrity and authenticity and encompasses excellent examples of the architecture and town planning of the 18th century community. Today, a Moravian from the mid-1700s would feel at home walking the streets of Historic Moravian Bethlehem. Bring your friends and family and experience it yourself this year.
