National Museum of Industrial History

How It Works: Casting Iron Toys
2019-12-22 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Coinciding with NMIH’s holiday cast iron toy exhibit is a special “How It Works” presentation with NMIH Historian Mike Piersa on the process of casting toys and other products. Created by skilled workers using a foundry method called sand casting, the toys became popular in the latter half of the 19th century as they used ingredients that were inexpensive at the time, similar to today’s plastic toys. This illustrated presentation will trace the process from furnace to finished product and will feature a small live demonstration, melting tin, to show how the foundry process uses patterns and sand molds to create goods.
A special guest, Bill Winecker, a volunteer with the Black River Railroad Historical Trust, will also join us to describe how the average person can have their own castings made in modern times. He made a pattern and coordinated the casting of reproduction builder’s plates for Black River & Western Railroad steam locomotive #60. By combining one of the 150 foundries operating in Pennsylvania, some basic knowledge, skills, and a modest investment, anyone can bring their idea to life.
This demonstration, part of the museum’s ongoing “How It Works” series that takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month, is designed to help patrons further understand of specific facets of industrial history. Admission for the “How It Works” tour is $5 in addition to regular museum admission.

The Corliss Comes Alive
2019-12-15 08:00 - 08:30
Following its extremely successful debut earlier this year, NMIH is hosting an encore demonstration of its massive 115-ton Corliss water pumping engine.
For more than a decade the museum’s staff, volunteers, and community partners worked to restore the engine to working order, 105 years after being built by the Snow Steam Pump Works in Buffalo, N.Y. The engine was used by the York Water Company and pumped eight million gallons of water per day. Today the engine, the most powerful operating water works steam engine in North America, is a focal point of the museum’s 13,000 square foot exhibit space, where it has painstakingly been mechanically restored to its former glory and repainted its original color.

Family TinkerTime for All Ages: GingerBuilding
2019-12-15 06:00 - 08:00
Get into the holiday spirit and exercise your creativity, problem solving and critical thinking skills as you design your tasty constructions! GingerBuilding supplies will be provided for each family unit to build and work together in creating their ginger structure. All participants will receive the Architect Award pin for completing their GingerBuilding.
NMIH hosts the new Family TinkerTime the second Sunday of each month from 11AM-1PM. Tinker together with activities designed for full family fun. Big and small hands will learn and experiment with the concepts of industrial innovation while working through the creative process. Join us in our efforts to inspire the next generation of innovators!
NMIH’s Family TinkerTime is a free event that coincides with our Family Days, offering free admission for all children 17 and under accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Tracing the History of Dent Hardware Co
2019-12-14 09:00 - 10:00
The Dent Hardware Company from Fullerton, PA was the nation’s leading manufacturer of refrigerator hardware and one of the largest producers of cast iron toys in the state!
To coincide with NMIH’s holiday cast iron toy display, brothers Peter Dent and Charlie Dent will share the story of their family’s innovative spirit and legacy. From the determination of Henry Dent and the genius of Charlie C. Dent, come learn more about one remarkable family’s inspiration that began in an Iron foundry!
Free with museum admission.

50% Off Admission - Holiday Toy/Food Drive
2019-12-11 05:00 - 2019-12-30 12:00
NMIH has several events throughout the holiday season, from our holiday toy display to family activities and industrial demonstrations. Not only can you get half off of your museum admission, you can benefit our community as well. NMIH is privileged to serve a community that is so generously invested in preserving its history and working together to improve the lives of its residents. In the spirit of non-profit collaboration and giving back , NMIH will offer 50% off individual admission to any museum visitor who presents a non-perishable food item or new, unwrapped toy between now and December 31st. Donations will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and The Children’s Home of Easton.

How It Works - Building with Steel: Where Was it Made?
2019-11-24 09:00 - 10:00
Did Bethlehem Steel build the Empire State Building? How about other famous landmarks created in the 20th century? The answer may not be as simple as you think. At 2 PM on Sunday, November 24th, we’ll dive into archival material and history books to learn where steel came from and who fabricated it. We will trace the family trees of Bethlehem Steel, subsidiary companies, and sometimes the competition to show how the company grew, changed, and sourced steel products from plants throughout the nation.
This lecture is presented by NMIH’s Historian, Mike Piersa. Mike graduated with a bachelor’s in history from Moravian College and a master’s in history from Lehigh University. He has been with NMIH for over 17 years and has been instrumental in the research and interpretation behind the museum’s collections as well as the restoration of historical industrial equipment both at the museum and at outside facilities.
This talk, part of the museum’s ongoing “How It Works” series that takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month, is designed to help patrons further understand of specific facets of industrial history. Admission to November’s “How It Works” lecture is free with regular museum admission.

Veterans Day: Radio’s Major Role in Winning WWII
2019-11-10 09:00 - 10:00
World War 2, the most significant event of the 20th century, was the first world-wide conflict where the use of technology played an overwhelming factor in victory. Guest lecturer Mike Lobus will present some of the technology and events that show how radio played a major role in the Allies winning the war effort.
Mike Lobus, a self-proclaimed “old timer in electronics”, will be sharing the fascinating story of radio technology during WW2. Tracing its foundations back to the turn of the century, radio in the war effort was a culmination of many factors. Come learn more about how radio won the war and see a display of WW2 period authentic military radio equipment!
This event is free with museum admission. Museum admission is free for veterans on November 9th and 10th.
Brought to you by the generosity of Joanne & Hank Barnette.

Free Admission for Veterans
2019-11-08 - 2019-11-10
Thank you to the generosity of Joanne & Hank Barnette, museum admission will be free for all veterans on Saturday, November 9th and Sunday, November 10th.
On Sunday attendees can enjoy our special presentation at 2pm titled, “Radio’s Major Role in Winning WWII,” which coincides with our Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio exhibit on view now through December 1st. Guest lecturer Mike Lobus will present some of the technology and events that show how radio played a major role in the Allies winning the war effort.
NMIH will also be running its massive 115-ton Corliss steam engine at 1pm on Sunday. This engine, restored by museum staff for over a decade, is the most powerful operating water works steam engine in North America.

In Pod We Trust: How digital audio is reinvigorating and democratizing journalism
2019-11-07 13:00 - 15:00
Prize-winning journalist Chris Satullo will present “In Pod We Trust: How digital audio is reinvigorating and democratizing journalism,” on Thursday, November 7, at 7 p.m. at the National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. 2nd Street, Bethlehem, PA. A 6 p.m. reception precedes the lecture. This event, open to the public and free of charge, is presented and sponsored by Northampton Community College.

How It Works: Slate Splitting
2019-10-27 10:00 - 11:00
NMIH Historian Mike Piersa presents a hands-on demonstration of the slater’s craft. Visitors will learn how slate is split and “dressed” (shaped), both by hand with modern tools and with machinery approximately one hundred years old. At the end of the program, visitors will be able to create their own small slate product to take home, such as a miniature blackboard or ornament.
This talk, part of the museum’s ongoing “How It Works” series that takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month, is designed to help patrons further understand of specific facets of industrial history. Admission for the “How It Works” tour is $5 in addition to regular museum admission.

Ham Radio Live
2019-10-20 06:00 - 13:00, 2019-09-15 06:00 - 13:00, 2019-08-18 06:00 - 13:00, 2019-07-21 06:00 - 13:00
See an amateur radio station in action with members of the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club! Learn what a QSL card is, how NMIH’s radio station can talk to people across the country, and even try your own hand at the radio.
With a rich history of over 70 years in existence and over 150 members, the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club is one of the prominent communicator clubs in the area. From teaching radio operators how to build their own antennas to participating in emergency preparedness exercises and communicating with other amateur radio operators all over the world, the club has is an active hub that serves a variety of community events every year. More information on the club can be found at www.dlarc.org.
This event is part of NMIH’s “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” exhibit. Radio employs the magic of sound by harnessing the electromagnetic radiation around us. The impact of radio is immeasurable. It has the power to elect political figures into office, it influences consumers to purchase certain products, it shapes new ideas and spreads news to mainstream America and it brings pleasure to audiences all over the world. “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” features over one hundred historic radios, components and ephemera. Visitors to this interactive exhibit can listen to early broadcasts, see an amateur radio operator’s station, test their knowledge of Morse Code, and experience modern day innovations in the industry.

Manufacturing Day 2019
2019-10-05 06:00 - 13:00
Have you ever wondered what it was like to make things for a living? Come join us on Manufacturing Day to learn about career opportunities in the manufacturing industry, meet some of Bethlehem’s finest manufacturers, and participate in craft challenges to see which job might be right for you.
Members of the Manufacturers Resource Center Dream Team will be on-hand to talk about their budding careers and opportunities to enter into the manufacturing and industrial workforces. PA Dream Team is a group of young employees with successful STEM careers at advanced manufacturing Pennsylvania companies. These innovative young adults are the faces and stories that represent their industry and job profession among students. Dream Team members are selected from sponsor companies to represent the best and brightest young professionals in their company. Companies with Dream Team members include Air Products & Chemicals, ATAS International, B Braun Medical, Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Lehigh Valley Plastics, Lutron Electronics, Ocean Spray, PPL Electric and Victaulic.
During your brain break, enjoy a heartfelt story of human ingenuity in the film Dream Big: Engineering Our World, showing throughout the day in the Education Center to inspire our future innovators to think big! This exciting and eventful day is free with regular museum admission!
Manufacturing Day 2019 is generously sponsored by Stephanie & Ned Rauch-Mannino

Duffy's Cut: The Latest Developments
2019-09-29 11:00 - 12:00
In June of 1832 57 Irish immigrant laborers arrived at the port of Philadelphia and were hired to build mile 59 of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, Pennsylvania’s pioneering railroad. Within 8 weeks of their arrival all 57 laborers were dead.

The railroad said that they died of a cholera pandemic that was raging throughout the Delaware Valley. Archaeological and forensic examination of their remains has shown that the laborers were murdered, likely out of fear of the spread of disease as well as anti-immigrant sentiment on the part of the locals. This presentation will explore the background of the deaths of these laborers, as well as the latest developments in this investigation.

J. Francis (Frank) Watson received his PhD from Drew University in Historical Theology and is a Lutheran clergyman, historian, and ecclesiastical archivist in New Jersey. Starting in 2002, along with his twin brother William, he has investigated the story of the Irish mass grave of Irish railroad workers at Duffy’s Cut, near Malvern, Pennsylvania. Their research has been featured in several major television documentaries, “Death on the Railroad” (PBS and Tile Films, Dublin, for PBS’ Secrets of the Dead, 2013) and “The Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut” (Smithsonian Channel, RTE, Tile Films, 2006), and in the podcast “The Dancing Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut” (Ground Truth Report, Season 6, October 2018) on WGBH. They have also authored several books on the story, Massacre at Duffy’s Cut: Tragedy and Conspiracy on the Pennsylvania Railroad (History Press, 2018), and The Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut (Praeger, 2006).

This event is part of NMIH’s Steel Weekend, a celebration dedicated to the structural steel industry happening September 28-29. Admission to this lecture is included in regular museum admission.

Hot Riveting Workshop - Sunday
2019-09-29 06:00 - 09:00
This hands-on workshop will teach students the basics of hot riveting, from heating steel rivets in a forge, to driving them with a pneumatic rivet hammer, and then inspecting them. Riveted bridge restoration specialist Vern Mesler will lead the workshop and show participants that riveting is not a lost art, but one that should be learned by new generations who will be maintaining the iron and steel structures and products of earlier times.
The workshop is geared both to those who want to experience what thousands of workers once did to build skyscrapers, ships, bridges, and many other things, and also to those who are contemplating riveting for restoration or artistic projects. The workshop is physically demanding and experience in handling tools is helpful, but students are not expected to have any prior experience in riveting or metalworking. Appropriate clothing is required (long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes.)
This event is part of NMIH’s Steel Weekend, a celebration dedicated to the structural steel industry happening September 28-29. All proceeds from the workshop will go towards NMIH’s non-profit mission of educating and inspiring new generations of inventors and entreprenuers by funding exhibits, educational programs, and restoration/preservation of artifacts.
Participants will be required to lift heavy equipment as part of the workshop.
Click here to purchase tickets now

Scenes from the Steel Photo Shoot
2019-09-28 14:30 - 17:00
Ever dreamed of photographing the iconic Bethlehem Steel plant when it was operating? This after-hours photo shoot at the National Museum of Industrial History is the closest you can get. Volunteer Brian Alesin leads actors in modeling historical scenes from Bethlehem Steel utilizing actual steelmaking equipment, smoke machines, and lighting equipment to produce memorable images that look right out of the factory.
This event is part of NMIH’s Steel Weekend, a celebration dedicated to the structural steel industry happening September 28-29. All proceeds from the photo shoot will go towards NMIH’s non-profit mission of educating and inspiring new generations of inventors and entreprenuers by funding exhibits, educational programs, and restoration/preservation of artifacts.
Participants must wear closed toe shoes. A tripod and basic night photography skills are highly recommended. An experienced photographer will be on-site to answer any questions.
Click here to purchase your tickets now.

Bethlehem Steel’s Last 20 Years Building Bridges and Buildings
2019-09-28 10:00 - 11:00
Join retired Bethlehem Steel Civil Engineer Gordon Baker as he talks about the history of Bethlehem Steel’s bridgemaking operations, which saw some of the world’s most famous structures come from its mills. From the Golden Gate to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridges, Bethlehem Steel helped build it all.
Four people from the audience will become part of a live suspension bridge and we will learn how a suspension bridge works. Lot’s of laughs! Alligators became part of a humorous story in Wilmington NC. Expect to interact with the presenter and enjoy a fast moving summary of Bethlehem Steel’s brightest days.
Gordon Baker worked for twenty years at Bethlehem Steel’s Fabricated Steel Construction Division working on bridges and buildings. During this period, he was a Field Engineer in New York, worked in the Engineering department in Bethlehem, was Assistant Works Engineer in the Leetsdale Pittsburgh plant, and was Superintendent of the large Pittsburgh shop facility. His career included working on two suspension bridges in New York, the Commodore Barry Bridge, Martin Tower, the world’s largest radio telescope in Puerto Rico and numerous other structures. Gordon is a retired Licensed Professional Engineer and a graduate of Lehigh University’s civil engineering program.
This event is part of NMIH’s Steel Weekend, a celebration dedicated to the structural steel industry happening September 28-29. This lecture is free with museum admission.

Steelmaking 101
2019-09-28 07:00 - 08:00
What is steel? Why is it so important to our economy? How is it made? Chemical Engineer Chuck Higdon’s Steelmaking 101 presentation will allow the layperson to understand the most important aspects of the steelmaking process: cokemaking, blast furnace production of pig iron/hot metal, and the various ways to convert blast furnace iron to steel. Complete with multimedia explanations of the steelmaking process and a question and answer session, this presentation will help explain the complex processes that occurred here in Bethlehem and still happen across the world.
Mr. Higdon is a graduate of UC San Diego with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering and a graduate of UC Berkeley with a Masters in Chemical Engineering, as well as a B.S. in English Literature from Dartmouth College. With over 26 years of chemical engineering experience at Air Products and Chemicals Inc., he develop and designed novel gas processing and energy technologies, as well as worked closely with steel companies to improve energy efficiency and blast furnace performance. His work as taken him through numerous steel plants spanning three continents. Helping the public understand industrial technology as one of NMIH’s docents is one of his great joys in semi-retirement. He continues to consult part-time for industrial clients.
This event is part of NMIH’s Steel Weekend, a celebration dedicated to the structural steel industry happening September 28-29. This lecture is free with museum admission.

Hot Riveting Workshop - Saturday
2019-09-28 06:00 - 09:00

Museum Day: The History of Communication
2019-09-21 06:00 - 13:00
Join us for Museum Day Live! In conjunction with NMIH’s Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio exhibit, take part in interactive learning stations that examine how communication has changed over time. Visitors will have a chance to try their hand at operating a ham radio, test their speed using Morse code, and participate in a ‘Texting vs. Telegraph’ competition.
The National Museum of Industrial History will open its doors free of charge to all Museum Day ticket holders on Saturday September 21, 2019 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 15th annual Museum Day, a national celebration of boundless curiosity in which participating museums emulate the free admission policy at the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington DC-based museums.
Museum Day represents a nationwide commitment to access, equity and inclusion. Over 250,000 people downloaded tickets for last year’s event, and Museum Day 2019 is expected to attract more museum-goers than ever before.
Museum Day tickets will be available for download at Smithsonian.com/MuseumDay beginning August. Visitors who present a Museum Day ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues on September 21, 2019. One ticket is permitted per email address.

Spirit of the Airwaves Players Performance
2019-09-15 10:00 - 11:00
Ever wonder what went into an old time radio broadcast? Come be part of our live studio audience! Let’s relive the “Golden Age of Radio” when radio was the most popular form of entertainment in America. Watch actors, writers, producers, and sound engineers bring to life the magic of radio. Performances of favorite radio shows from the past, such as Little Orphan Annie, The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, and man​y more, complete with old thrilling sound effects and old time radio commercials. This event is free with regular museum admission and free for members.
This event is part of NMIH’s “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” exhibit. Radio employs the magic of sound by harnessing the electromagnetic radiation around us. The impact of radio is immeasurable. It has the power to elect political figures into office, it influences consumers to purchase certain products, it shapes new ideas and spreads news to mainstream America and it brings pleasure to audiences all over the world. “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” features over one hundred historic radios, components and ephemera. Visitors to this interactive exhibit can listen to early broadcasts, see an amateur radio operator’s station, test their knowledge of Morse Code, and experience modern day innovations in the industry.
This performance has been generously sponsored by John Fernbacher.

2019 Annual Gala
2019-09-14 12:00 - 16:00
2019 Annual Gala
National Museum of Industrial History
2019 Annual Gala: Agriculture – to – Industry
Saturday, September 14th
4pm — 8pm
The Laros Estate • Bethlehem, PA
Join us for a farm-to-table dinner gala at the elegant and historic Laros Estate celebrating America’s transformation from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse. NMIH will be honoring Air Products with the first annual Spirit of Innovation Award in recognition of its rich history of innovation, longstanding commitment to the community and generous support of the Museum’s mission. All proceeds support the Museum’s exhibits, S.T.E.A.M. education initiatives, and the ongoing care and preservation of its vast artifact and archival collections.
Featuring
Cocktail Hour in the Laros Mansion
A Bountiful Farm Style Dinner Under the Stars
Luxury Raffle including jewelry, overnight trips, fine spirits & more
Early steam powered engines on display
Get your tickets today!

Questions? Contact 610-694-6636 or mpildis@nmih.org
Sponsorship and program advertisement opportunities are available. Can’t attend, but would still like to make a tax-deductible contribution in support of the NMIH mission? Donate here.

How It Works: Outdoor Artifact Demo
2019-08-25 10:00 - 11:00
Join the National Museum of Industrial History as we fire up our growing collection of operational outdoor artifacts. Visitors will learn the history of several historic machines, then see them in motion. Demonstrations will include the TUG, a former Bethlehem Steel vehicle built from an aircraft pushback tractor. It was used as a rubber tired locomotive inside the mill. Also running will be a 40,000 pound mining hoist from 1908, various pumps, and manually operated machines. The tour will take place in the future Museum Park, providing a great “before” look at the area before it is transformed.
The walking surfaces are gravel, so please be sure to wear appropriate footwear. In the event of inclimate weather, the tour will move inside, demonstrating the operational artifacts inside the Museum, those being the Corliss steam engine, metalworking lathe, textile punch card machine, and a few manually operated pieces. Please note that these are historic machines. While usually reliable, there is always a chance that mechanical difficulties may force a change of plans.
This special tour is $5 in addition to normal Museum admission.

What's That Sound? How Speakers and Amplifiers Work
2019-08-17 10:00 - 11:00
Join guest speakers Carlo and Mario Acerra as they dive into the wonders of how radios use speakers and amplifiers combine to create sound. Part of the museum’s Meet the Expert series that takes place on the third Saturday of each month, this unique opportunity to hear thematic talks from experts in their respective fields will include a 45-minute lecture and 15-minute Q&A. Meet the Experts is included in your admission price and is free to all members of the museum.
Carlo Acerra is a media professional working in video and audio production. He has over 10 years of music recording experience and teaches digital music production at Northampton Community College. Mario Acerra’s expertise covers video, audio, and music production. He has been the director of the Media Production program at Northampton Community College for over 30 years.
This event is part of NMIH’s “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” exhibit. Radio employs the magic of sound by harnessing the electromagnetic radiation around us. The impact of radio is immeasurable. It has the power to elect political figures into office, it influences consumers to purchase certain products, it shapes new ideas and spreads news to mainstream America and it brings pleasure to audiences all over the world. “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” features over one hundred historic radios, components and ephemera. Visitors to this interactive exhibit can listen to early broadcasts, see an amateur radio operator’s station, test their knowledge of Morse Code, and experience modern day innovations in the industry.

How It Works: Backyard Railroads
2019-07-28 09:00 - 15:00
Have you ever dreamt of building your own railroad? Join us on Sunday, July 28th, as we take the first ever bus tour to a pair of privately owned backyard railroads. These are not toy trains, but full size railroads located an hour from the Museum in the coal region. Although short, both railroads feature just enough track to have an operating locomotive and rolling stock. Each place exists because of the efforts of its owner, family, and friends.
The Chain Circle Short Line is a standard gauge railroad with a 35 ton gasoline powered locomotive built in 1942. The Tunnel Railway is a two foot gauge operation that runs a pair of electric powered mine locomotives meant to emulate the famous Chicago Tunnel Railway, which hauled freight underneath the city for the first half of the twentieth century. The Steel Street Tour buses will leave NMIH at 1 PM and return to the Museum around 7 PM. The tour will visit one railroad, make a stop in downtown Tamaqua, PA where guests can view a railroad equipment display and get a snack from nearby restaurants, then visit the second railroad.
Purchase tickets soon as attendance is limited. The tour is not handicap accessible. Footwear suitable for a variety of surfaces is recommended. There may be mud, grass, loose gravel, and places that require walking over rails. Although train rides will not be offered, the locomotives will likely operate for demonstration. Guests must strictly follow ALL instructions. Admission to the Museum is included with the tour, so guests are welcome to arrive early and enjoy the Museum.
Cost, including museum admission and bus transportation, is $30 for members and $35 for non-members.
Purchase tickets now!

Radio Repair Extravaganza
2019-07-27 06:00 - 10:00
Dust off those old radios and bring them down to NMIH for a fun day of radio fandom!
Skilled technicians from the Delaware Valley Historic Radio Club (DVHRC) will be on hand to help troubleshoot, diagnose and potentially repair antique radios brought in by community members. Identification of models, as well as tips for safe operation and best practices will be discussed. In cases where repairs are beyond what can be done on-site, recommendations & repair cost estimates can be made. Free value appraisals will be given as well. This event is free with regular museum admission.
The Delaware Valley Historic Radio Club, founded in 1991, is an active club dedicated to the collection and preservation of antique radios, televisions, electronic test equipment and related items.
This event is part of NMIH’s “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” exhibit. Radio employs the magic of sound by harnessing the electromagnetic radiation around us. The impact of radio is immeasurable. It has the power to elect political figures into office, it influences consumers to purchase certain products, it shapes new ideas and spreads news to mainstream America and it brings pleasure to audiences all over the world. “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio” features over one hundred historic radios, components and ephemera. Visitors to this interactive exhibit can listen to early broadcasts, see an amateur radio operator’s station, test their knowledge of Morse Code, and experience modern day innovations in the industry.

Movie Screenings: The Day We Walked on the Moon
2019-07-20 07:00 - 11:00
Join NMIH as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a screening of the Smithsonian Channel’s. Screenings will take place at 11am and 2pm.
On July 20 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Narrated by Mark Strong, The Day We Walked on the Moon tells the story of how he got there through spectacular footage and interviews with key figures in the Apollo 11 mission, including astronaut Michael Collins and iconic Flight Director Gene Kranz. Further interviewees include Professor Brian Cox, Dr Brian May and key Apollo astronauts Frank Borman and Charlie Duke.
This screening is free with museum admission and free for members.

How It Works: The Morris Canal (with special tour!)
2019-06-30 10:00 - 12:00
For June’s special How It Works tour Mike Helbing will lead a talk and tour about New Jersey’s Morris Canal. The waterway was built in the 1820s and 1830s, eventually connecting the Lehigh Valley to the New York Harbor. Anthracite coal, iron, and other goods shipped on the canal spurred industrial development.
The afternoon will start at NMIH where Mr. Helbing will present a “then and now” slideshow describing history of the canal and what its route looks like today, 95 years after it closed. Some stretches remain watered while others have been redeveloped into new uses as diverse as the Newark City Subway. Helbing will detail how this engineering marvel took boats out of the water and raised them to higher levels of the canal using steep railroads known as inclined planes.
After the talk, around 3 PM, the group will carpool 30 minutes away to Plane 9 West in Stewartsville, New Jersey, just outside of Phillipsburg, to explore a fascinating remnants of the canal with guide Jim Lee. Wear your hiking shoes and a jacket because Mr. Lee will lead a special tour underground to see a subterranean chamber that still houses the circa 1850 hydraulic turbine that provided the muscle to pull boats up the inclined plane. Visitors can depart Plane 9 West at their own pace. Guests are welcome to return to NMIH, walk the canal, or talk with the guides and explore the site. Admission is $5 in addition to regular museum admission.
Mike Helbing is founder of Metrotrails, a unique hiking group that often traces the path of industry, whether it be on canal towpaths, former railroad grades, or foot trails through mining and factory landscapes. The purpose of Metrotrails is to assist in the planning, development, maintenance, and promotion of trail systems in the New York/Philadelphia metropolitan area, as well as education and preservation of natural and historic aspects of their routes. Mr. Helbing is a lifetime hiker; beginning at the age of three. Since then, he has worn out a multitude of footwear hiking over the tri-state area. Most weekends, you’ll find Mike on a trail somewhere, leading groups of outdoor enthusiasts on 15 to 20 mile hikes. He is also involved in the Warren County Board of Recreation, and countless other trail organizations.
