The Moravian Historical Society museum and historic site preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich culture of the Moravians.
The Moravian Historical Society's museum is open every day from 1–4 p.m. Reserve a guided museum tour today.
Research Appointments at the Moravian Historical Society
We welcome any questions about the Moravian Historical Society's collection. To schedule a research appointment, please submit a research request below and our curator will contact you.
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Appointments are available Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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If you are not able to conduct your own research on-site
we can assist you for a fee.
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Digital files of objects along with one-time reproduction
rights of objects in the collection are available.
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Genealogical questions about Moravian ancestors should
be directed to the Moravian Archives in Bethlehem.
All other Northampton County related genealogy research
questions should be directed to the Northampton County
Research and Reproduction Fees
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Remote staff member assisted research $40/hour
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One time image usage for publication $50 (We request a complimentary copy of the publication)
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Photographic set up fee per image $10
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Photographic set up fee per image for rush orders $25
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Scan (up to 8.5 x 11 original image size) $5.00
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Copy of existing digital images $2.50
Recent Research
The objects under Moravian Historical Society's care are brought to life through ongoing study and examination. This continued research brings the new perspectives and fresh interpretations that are needed to help us more fully understand our shared heritage.
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In 2019, a research team took on a remarkable project—to build a working, playable replica of the upright piano found in our collection. In doing so, they have made some new discoveries about the instrument and its maker, adding to the canon of knowledge of eighteenth-century American music and crafts.
18th-Century Upright Piano
The anonymous eighteenth-century Germanic upright piano exhibited at Whitefield House is of great significance to American music history. It is believed to be the oldest extant American-made piano, testifying to the importance of music and the sophistication of crafts among the Moravian settlers in colonial America.
In November 2019, the Moravian Historical Society welcomed researchers John Watson, Tom Winter, and Michele Winter to the Whitefield House museum. Over the course of two weeks, the researchers thoroughly examined the piano with the intention of both uncovering the instrument’s history and creating a playable replica for the Moravian Historical Society. The replica is now on display in our museum.
Their research offers some compelling evidence about its maker and date of construction. You can learn more about the researchers’ findings and get a first glimpse into how the instrument sounds on their website.
