Moravian Historical Society

Moravian Historical Society
Abbreviation MHS
Formation 1857
Founded at Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Type Historical Society
Legal status Non-profit
Purpose Preserving Moravian history
Headquarters 1740/1743 Whitefield House
Location
Region
Northern Province, North America
Affiliations Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, PA
Website http://moravianhistoricalsociety.org/

The Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1857. It aims to preserve and present the art, history, and culture of the Moravians in America, and it is the third oldest historical society in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Society is housed in the 1740/1743 Whitefield House on the Ephrata Tract in downtown Nazareth. The Society is affiliated with the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the repository for records of the Moravian Church in North America, Northern Province.[1]

The Society collects objects relating to Moravian history in North America, provides research assistance, publishes, and offers lectures, programs, events, and activities for all ages and levels of interest.[1][2]

Site

The Society owns three acres of land in Nazareth, PA, called the Ephrata Tract. It was on this site that the First House of Nazareth once stood. It operates out of two buildings on the Tract: the 1740/1743 Whitefield House and the 1740 Gray Cottage.

Ephrata Tract

In 1740, a Moravian group from Savannah, Georgia was hired by landowner and British cleric George Whitefield to build a school for orphaned slaves. Whitefield wanted to build his school on a 5000-acre area he called Nazareth, which he had purchased from William Allen that same year. Tensions arising from theological disputes between Whitefield and the Moravians led the Moravians to purchase and begin to establish Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, leaving Whitefield’s school building unfinished. When Whitefield later went bankrupt, the Moravians purchased the 5000 acres, which included the Gray Cottage, First House, and the bottom portion of the Whitefield House. This area became known as the Ephrata Tract. The town of Nazareth was laid out in 1771 several blocks to the west. The First House was demolished in 1864, but the Whitefield House and Gray Cottage still stand. The buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 1980.[3][4]

The marker for the Moravian Historical Society

Whitefield House

Construction on the Whitefield House started in 1740 and completed in 1743. It was originally used to house 32 married couples arriving from England. Through the years, the Whitefield House operated as a place of worship, girls’ boarding school, nursery, the Moravian Theological Seminary, and apartments for furloughed missionaries. Today, the Whitefield House houses the Society’s museum, administrative offices, and gift shop. The museum runs a series of permanent and changing exhibitions showcasing the culture of the Moravians and their contributions to American history.[5]

Gray Cottage

The Gray Cottage was constructed in October 1740 by the Moravians as protection from the harsh winter weather ahead. It is an oak log structure, and was originally called the “Old Block House” from the German word Block, meaning “log.” From 1743-1745, the building was used as a boys’ school. It has also been used as a girls’ school, a home for widows, a nursery, and a private residence. It is the oldest Moravian building still standing in North America.[5]

First House

The marker designating the First House of Nazareth

Constructed in June 1740, the First House sheltered Moravians during the construction of the Whitefield House. It was approximately 30’ wide by 20’ deep, and stood two and one half stories tall. It was demolished in 1864, but the foundation was discovered by archaeologists in September 2014 in the area between the Whitefield House and the Gray Cottage. Several artifacts including redware pottery and a brass horse bell were also discovered. A small stone marker stands on this site.[6]

Monuments

The Society has placed several markers at locations of American Moravian historical significance:

Collections

The Whitefield House Museum’s collection contains over 10,000 Moravian objects, which are featured in permanent and changing exhibits. Highlights from the collections include:

The museum also contains a large collection of Moravian mission artifacts from six continents, as well as various textiles, household goods, and Native American artifacts.

The entire collection is available to researchers by appointment. Research requests are processed through the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem.

The museum operates from 1-4pm, seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.[1]

Publications

The Moravian Historical Society publishes various guides and periodicals, including:

Events

The Moravian Historical Society offers a variety of events for all ages and interest levels. Historic Nazareth Walking Tours meet at the Whitefield House every second Saturday at 3pm, and feature a tour guide in historic Moravian dress. The museum’s Free Summer Sundays offer families a free museum tour as well as historic youth crafts and games. The Whitefield After Dark program takes place on the fourth Friday of every month, excluding summer holiday, and allows visitors to explore Moravian history after closing time through lectures, screenings, and various family activities.

For kids, the Society has an annual Hands-On History summer camp. It is a week-long camp where campers participate in various activities such as constructing a play, making crafts, and playing games relating to colonial history and Moravian culture. The Society also holds an annual Arts & Crafts Festival featuring more than 100 craft vendors as well as food and free kids’ activities.

The Society hosts the annual Share the Heritage Auction and Dinner to raise support for its many activities and events.[1]

Annual Meeting, Lecture, and Reception

The Society hosts an Annual Meeting, Lecture, and Reception to present the state of the Society and give a lecture on an aspect of Moravian history. Each year features a key-note speaker, as follows:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Welcome to Moravian Historical Society, Your family's place to discover history". www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  2. ↑ "The Moravian Historical Society: its Organization and Aims". Transactions of the Moravian Historical Society. 1. 1876.
  3. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form" (PDF). United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. May 1, 1980. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Nazareth Historical Marker". Explore PA History. Historical Marker. 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Schattschneider, A. W.; Franks, A. H. (2009). Through 500 Years and Beyond. Bethlehem, PA: The Moravian Church in North America. p. 80.
  6. 1 2 Call, The Morning. "Check out what archaeologists uncover in Nazareth". Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  7. ↑ "Full text of "DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT AT MENIOLAGOMEKA, OCTOBER 22, 1901"". archive.org. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  8. ↑ "DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT AT WECHQUETANK". Transactions of the Moravian Historical Society. 8 (1): 1–5. 1907-01-01. JSTOR 41179641.
  9. 1 2 Murtagh, W. J. (1967). Moravian Architecture and Town Planning. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press. pp. 95–100.
  10. 1 2 "Full text of "A memorial of the dedication of monuments erected by the Moravian Historical Society, to mark the sites of ancient missionary stations in New York and Connecticut"". archive.org. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  11. ↑ "Find A Grave: Dansbury Cemetery". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  12. ↑ "The History of Bradford County PA, H. C. Bradsby 1891 - Wyalusing Township". www.joycetice.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
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