We’ve been working building a rich local history timeline on the library’s website, adding all sorts of interesting information about Bethlehem going back to its founding. There is interesting information about the surrounding areas as well. It can be found at bapl.org/local-history/local-history-timeline. Check it out! There are articles going back to 1741. One of the […]
We are working on our interactive timeline of Bethlehem’s history and just added some info on the time Marquis de La Lafayette came to visit (in 1777). Check this page for more information on Lafayette’s stay in Bethlehem and here for the full timeline (in progress).
The Revolutionary War often seems a distant memory for many Americans. Residents of Bethlehem might share this faraway concept of such distant historical events. Our city, however, played host to many important figures during the Revolutionary War, including the commander of the Continental Army himself, General George Washington. According to a recent article from 69 […]
Symbol of Progress The first thing most visitors to the main branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library notice is the sculpture in the middle of the plaza. It’s not hard to see why–it’s huge! Sixty feet high to be exact. But what is it? What does it mean? Is it a stalk of celery? […]
There is a new exhibit up on the first floor at the Main Library — it’s a collection of photos from our collaboration with PBS39 on the Vietnam War. The exhibit includes personal photos contributed by local residents and features images of people who served in the war, protested the war, lived in Vietnam at […]
The Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Moravian Historical Society are pleased to offer for sale limited-edition holiday cards featuring the illustrations from the beloved 1945 children’s book Snow Over Bethlehem, the charming fictional story of a Moravian Christmas in Bethlehem in 1755. In the early 1950s, the author of the book, Katherine Milhous, donated 11 of the […]
Hilda Doolittle Plaque Dedication, Bethlehem Area Public Library, September 8, 4pm The Bethlehem Area Public Library is being added to a national list of Literary Landmarks. A new plaque honoring the birthplace of the great 20th century poet Hilda Doolittle (1886 –1961) will be unveiled Friday, September 8th at a 4pm ceremony that will include […]