The Moravian Historical Society museum and historic site preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich culture of the Moravians.
Moravian Historical Society's museum is open every day from 1–4 p.m. Reserve a guided museum tour today.
The Moravian Historical Society
Your Place to Discover History
The Moravian Historical Society is a nonprofit museum and historic site that preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich culture of the Moravians.
Located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Moravian Historical Society maintains the 1740–1743 Whitefield House and the 1740 Gray Cottage, the oldest surviving Moravian structure in North America. Recognized widely for its significant collection and historically important 18th-century site, the Moravian Historical Society is the third oldest historical society in Pennsylvania. The museum offers permanent and special exhibitions and a museum store that features gifts, books, and handmade artisan items.
Special Exhibition: A Trio of America’s First Stringed Instruments
This special exhibition brings together three American firsts—a violin (1759), cello (1763), and viola (1764)—all made by the Pennsylvania-born John Antes (1740-1811). Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating life of John Antes and discover how the trio of Antes instruments came to be reunited. The exhibition will explore how stringed instruments are made and the legacy of lutherie in the Lehigh Valley from Antes to C.F. Martin.
This exhibition is supported, in part, by the Riddle Family, descendants of the Antes Family; the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation; and the County of Northampton Hotel Tax Grant Program.
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SATORI will perform music for flute, violin, and cello, including compositions by John Antes.
SATORI is a classical chamber music ensemble, based in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, and playing both traditional and contemporary chamber music. The group is currently in its 27th season, with a repertoire ranging from baroque to 21st century selections.
This concert in the Museum of the Moravian Historical Society will feature Rebecaa Brown, violin; Elizabeth Mendoza, cello; and Nora Suggs, flute. Their repertoire will include compositions by John Antes as well as other 18th-century works.
Concert in the Museum with SATORI
Sunday, April 23 at 2pm
Tickets are $10 for the general public and FREE for MHS members and students. Seating in the museum is limited—reserve your spot today!
Join us for the 45th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival!
Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Held on the lawn of the historic 1740-1743 Whitefield House, the free festival features
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live music
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FREE Kids Activities
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great food and beverages
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free parking
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walking tours of historic Nazareth!
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Learn about our digitized archival resources
Moravian Historical Society is proud to introduce a new digitized archival collection—the Henry Family Collection—and a new online platform that makes it available to the public. The Henry Family Collection contains some 450 unique items, including letters, lectures, and unpublished research.
A Historical & Archives Records Care (HARC) grant from the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission made this project possible. More recently, an American Historical Association-National Endowment for the Humanities (AHA-NEH) grant, is helping to expand our digitized collections.
We hope you enjoy exploring the collection!
Shop Small and Shop Local!
The Museum Store is open daily from 1-4 p.m.
We carry a large selection of local artisan-made gifts, ornaments, and Moravian stars.
Your purchase supports our small museum!
Registration is open for
Hands on History Camp
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Session One: June 12-June 16 is SOLD OUT
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Session Two: June 19-June 23
Thank you to our generous supporters:
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