Bethlehem Steel Flashlight Tours
2025-06-06 20:30 - 22:00, 2025-09-05 19:45 - 21:00, 2025-10-03 19:45 - 21:00, 2025-11-07 19:45 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

Free Family Sunday - S.T.E.A.M. Adventures
2025-06-15 11:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

Steelworkers' Archives - Steelworker Heritage Bus Tours
2025-06-21

S.T.E.M. Experience with PA Cyber Charter School
2025-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
This summer, high school students from the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will embark on a 3-day experience exploring the industrial legacy of the Lehigh Valley! The students will be visiting several educational institutions, including the National Museum of Industrial History to learn about how past innovations shape today’s engineering. This experience will culminate with a student service project at the National Museum of Industrial History. On Thursday June 26th from 10:00am-12:00pm, the PA Cyber students will facilitate hands-on activities with museum guests, sharing what they’ve learned throughout the week and engaging with visitors. This program is included with the price of museum admission.

Bethlehem Steel Locomotive Experience
2025-07-06 11:00 - 15:15, 2025-07-20 11:00 - 15:15, 2025-08-03 11:00 - 15:15, 2025-08-17 11:00 - 15:15, 2025-09-07 11:00 - 15:15, 2025-10-05 11:00 - 15:15 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

Steelworkers' Archives - Steelworker Heritage Bus Tour
2025-07-12, 2025-07-26

Free Family Sundays - S.T.E.A.M. Adventures
2025-07-20 11:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

2025 Anthracite Railroad Ramble
2025-08-06 09:00 - 18:00
PLEASE NOTE: Due to unforseen track work, the departure and arrival station may need to be changed to NESQUEHONING STATION (1 Iron Horse Way, Nesquehoning, PA 18240) and the Steam Shop portion of the itinerary will change locations. See new description below. Refunds will be available for those who cannot participate due to itinerary change. Please email info@nmih.org for more information.
The National Museum of Industrial History is proud to work with the Reading & Northern Railroad to host a day-long rare mileage train ride on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The trip will depart from Nesquehoning Station (1 Iron Horse Way, Nesquehoning, PA 18240), at 9 AM, with guests riding aboard a pair of open window Budd RDCs (self-propelled Rail Diesel Cars). In Ashland, PA, guests will have the option to detrain and tour the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine or stay aboard for two hours of photo runbys. The standard mine tour will be enhanced by a visit to the headframe and lokie barn where Lehigh Valley Coal Company tank engine Number 119 will be seen under restoration. Several lucky guests will have a chance to operate anthracite burning tank engine Number 123. Finally, passengers will have a chance to tour the Reading & Northern Railroad Nesquehoning Campus, an adaptive re-use of the former KME firetruck factory, now being used for mechanical repairs, offices, training facilities, and the Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station. There are also surprise military artifacts housed at the location that will be on display. The railroad’s Black Diamond Store will be open on the campus as well.
Back by popular demand for the 2025 Anthracite Railroad Ramble will be historical narration from Michael Helbing, President of Metrotrails. He will discuss the railroad, canal, and industrial history along the route.
Special for 2025 will be an onboard book signing with Hank Webber, author of The History of The High Iron Company. His book takes readers back into an era where steam-powered giants thundered across the countryside. The beautifully crafted volume delivers 14 engaging chapters covering the rise and operations of mainline steam excursions, over 200 rare and vivid photographs bringing the High Iron story to life, with 238 pages of expertly documented rail history, from locomotive rebuilds to high-speed runs. A limited number of books will be available for sale onboard.
Guests can bring their own lunch or pre-purchase a box lunch to eat on the train. Light snacks and drinks will also be available for sale on the train. Seating is limited and expected to sell out. Guests must arrange their own transportation to and from Nesquehoning Station. Estimated return to Nesquehoning Station between 5 and 6pm.
ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE ON A FIRST COME – FIRST SERVED BASIS. SEATING IS LIMITED. NO SALES DAY OF THE TRIP. SALES END ONE WEEK BEFORE THE TRIP. NO ASSIGNED SEATING. THE RAILROAD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE MOTIVE POWER AS CONDITIONS REQUIRE. ALL CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF AGE MUST HAVE A TICKET. ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Price
Single Ticket $99
Optional add-on experience – Detrain for Pioneer Tunnel Tour: $20
LUNCH SALES HAVE ENDED. Please plan to bring your own.
NMIH members receive a ten percent discount on ticket prices when using code TRAIN.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

Guest Lecture - The Bethlehem Steel Company Band: An Industrial Reach into the Community
2025-08-09 13:00 - 14:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join conductor, performer, researcher, teacher, and technician Joshua E. Long, PhD of Art & Music Emporium, Inc. for a lecture entitled “The Bethlehem Steel Company Band: An Industrial Reach into the Community”. Imagine being hired at a steel plant, not because of your iron working skills, rather for your musical needs. Explore an ensemble that was created in 1910 as a gift to the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and learn about musicians who practiced in a dedicated full equipped hall with many amenities made for the band members who provided a wealth of music making for the community. The lecture will share many pictures of the band, instruments and uniforms that still exist, and sound recordings of a recreation concert of the Bethlehem Steel Company Band.
Included with museum admission.

Corliss Comes Alive!
2025-08-17 13:30 - 14:30 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
For more than a decade the museum’s staff, volunteers, and community partners worked to restore our massive 115-ton Corliss steam engine to working order, 100+ 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. Join us as we operate the engine and learn more about this fascinating piece of industrial history.

First Friday @ NMIH
2025-09-05 18:00 - 20:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us for SouthSide Arts District’s First Fridays for extended hours and free admission from 6-8pm. Be sure to check out the many other special events going on throughout the SouthSide community here.

2025 Annual Gala
2025-09-13 16:00 - 19:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
SPONSORSHIP & PROGRAM AD DETAILS HERE.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.
DONATE AN ITEM FOR OUR SILENT AUCTION HERE.
About LVEDC
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) is a nonprofit public/private partnership whose mission is to market the economic assets of the Lehigh Valley and to create partnerships to support the recruitment, growth, and retention of employers and the creation of jobs for people of all skill and education levels.

PREMIERE SPONSOR
JOANNE & HANK BARNETTE
BLAST FURNACE SPONSORS

JOE & KAREN WALTON
COKE OVEN SPONSOR

PRINT SPONSOR

MACHINE SHOP SPONSORS

JEFF & KATHY FEATHER

Stand Together Flag Art Unveiling
2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
To combat Veterans’ feelings of isolation and depression accompanying Traumatic Brain Injury and mounting societal issues, Resurrecting Lives Foundation and PISANO Artistry have joined forces to launch a unique national campaign: Veterans Standing Together Across America (VSTAA). VSTAA sponsors Patriotic events connecting Veterans with their communities. Their goal is to bridge the civilian-military gap, connect veterans with resources, and foster healing and strength. VSTAA is a one-of-a-kind patriotic art program recalling history, displaying honor and promoting healing.
The center of this movement is the 3D artwork of USN Chief Retired Joe Pisano with his STAND TOGETHER Flag, an American Flag created with drywall screws. These flags will travel throughout the country; each state with its own unique flag, inviting Vets to celebrate their service by signing the artwork’s frame.
The National Museum of Industrial History will serve as a host site for the STAND TOGETHER Flag with an unveiling and signing event on September 28th at 1pm. The artist will be on site to share more about the ongoing project. Tails of Valor will be in attendance to share more information about their resources.
There will be additional signing opportunities during our annual Steel Weekend event and on Veterans Day.

RSVP HERE.
Help us bring the Stand Together Flag to life by sponsoring the project.
Special thanks to our generous sponsors:
STARS & STRIPES SPONSOR
Atty. Arthur Wolk
Kenny L. Rogers
OLD GLORY SPONSOR
Sandra D. Thomas, SC, CDR USN (Retired)

First Fridays at NMIH
2025-10-03 18:00 - 20:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us for SouthSide Arts District’s First Fridays for extended hours and free admission from 6-8pm. Be sure to check out the many other special events going on throughout the SouthSide community here.
Featuring free admission
Live Music with Kristen Morgenstern
Tastings with the Lehigh Valley Homebrewers Guild
Live machinery demonstrations
Hands-on family-friendly S.T.E.A.M. activities
Flashlight tour at 7:45 (Additional cost; pre-registration is required here)

Bethlehem Steel: The People Who Built America
2025-10-10 15:30 - 17:00
PBS39 and National Museum of Industrial History invite you to a special screening of this landmark film on the eve of Steel Weekend 2025.
Join Andria Zaia, President & CEO, National Museum of Industrial History, and Bette Kovach, BK Communications former Director of Bethlehem Steel Communications for a conversation prior to the screening to hear personal reflections on the making of the film and working at Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
Screening will be held at
Univest Public Media Center
839 Sesame Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Admission is free but reservations are required. Click here to reserve.

Metal Health
2025-10-10 18:00 - 20:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
On Friday, 10/10/25 NMIH will host a workshop led by Veteran and artist Jay Elias of Evolution Art Studios. Elias, a former United States Marine, served during the Gulf War era. Suffering from undiagnosed and untreated PTSD, he wound up on the wrong side of the law and eventually served a lengthy prison sentence. After many years of gradually declining mental health, he discovered the healing effects that art and the creative process can provide to promote both spiritual and emotional wellness. He created Evolution Art Studio to share this holistic approach to healing with other veterans and members of the community alike.
The workshop will introduce the process used to create three-dimensional sculptural forms in cast iron —patternmaking, mold-making and casting. The workshop includes instruction in the use of pattern materials. Most participants make their patterns from several pre-made forms. Workshop participants can customize their own design to these existing forms, making them unique, or build entirely from scratch using techniques demonstrated during the workshop.
On Saturday, 10/11/25 at 7pm, a public iron pour demonstration will take place outdoors in the Museum’s Foundry Park (weather permitting) where the molds created during the workshop on Friday will be filled with molten iron. Whether they attended the workshop the day before or not, anyone from the public is invited to watch the pour, where scrap iron will be recycled and melted down in a visually stunning process of fire and molten metal. After cooling down from 2700 degrees Fahrenheit, the resulting cast iron sculptures and objects will be on exhibit for the general public during Steel Weekend before their makers bring them home.
All activities will take place at the National Museum of Industrial History, located on the grounds of the former Bethlehem, PA, plant of Bethlehem Steel.
Workshop fee is $40 (Veterans use code VETERAN at checkout to receive free workshop registration). Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants must be prepared to work with sand and wear safety glasses. Anyone who has their own safety glasses is welcome to bring them. Limited quantities will be available on site.

REGISTER HERE

Steel Weekend 2025
2025-10-11 10:00 - 2025-10-12 17:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us for an exploration of all things STEEL!
Featuring
Free admission all day | Steelworkers Reunion | Guest Speakers | Live Iron Pour | Steelworker Portrait Studio
Pop-Up Exhibits | Youth Activities | Public Art Installation
Live Demonstrations | Songs About Steelmaking & More

THURSDAY PROGRAMMING
4:30PM SCULPTURE UNVEILING: Chelsea Southard, Bethlehem Visitor Center
FRIDAY PROGRAMMING
3:30PM FILM SCREENING – Bethlehem Steel: The People Who Built America, Univest Public Media Center (839 Sesame Street, Bethlehem, PA)
6-8:00PM Metal Health Workshop, Plaza

SATURDAY PROGRAMMING
ALL DAY
Iron and Steel Demonstrations Foundry Park
Film Screenings Barnette Education Center
Family Friendly Hands-on Activities Plaza
11:00
Bethlehem Plant Walking Tour Plaza
Join former Steelworkers members for a walking tour of the historic Bethlehem Plant. Purchase tickets at the front desk.
11:00
Community Workshop with artist Chelsea Southard
Artist Chelsea Southard’s latest sculpture will be unveiled on October 9th as part of 4th annual Sculpture at SteelStacks exhibition, an outdoor display featured at the entrance to the Visitor Center at SteelStacks. Much of the work Chelsea does is abstract geometry and line work, with prototypes created with paper and string before being fabricated in metal or glass. Join us for this community workshop with Chelsea to learn about the process and then create your own prototype. All supplies will be provided.
12:00
Steelworker Overtime Lunches Plaza
Complimentary overtime brown bag lunches for steelworkers and their families.
12:00 -1:00
Steelworker Songs with Roland Kushner Plaza
Enjoy a live musical performance of songs inspired by industry, labor and steel.
1:00
Veterans of Steel Keynote Address and Film Premiere Education Center
Join us for remarks and the premiere of a documentary on Steelworker Veterans followed by a special panel discussion with the Veterans themselves. Special thanks to the production crew of Bruce Ward, Ed Leskin, Charlie Luthar, and Mary Lafferty.
1:30
Bethlehem Plant Walking Tour Plaza
Join former Steelworkers for a walking tour of the historic Bethlehem Plant. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk.
3:30
Steelworkers’ Archives Bus Tour Meet on NMIH Plaza
Visit the now redeveloped eastern end of the flagship Bethlehem Plant to learn more about the shops that were once here, as well as, the history of the lost Northampton Heights neighborhood. Tickets are $28.50 per person, free for veterans. More information and ticket registration can be found here.
4:00
Corliss Steam Engine Demonstration Machinery Hall
Join us as we operate our 115-ton Corliss steam engine!
7:00
Iron Pour Foundry Park
A public iron pour demonstration will take place outdoors in the Museum’s Foundry Park (weather permitting). Scrap iron will be recycled and melted down in a visually stunning process of fire and molten metal. Refreshments available for purchase.
Panchitas Kitchen will be on site from 3-7
Lehigh Valley Homebrewers will also be on site Saturday afternoon and evening.

SUNDAY PROGRAMMING
ALL DAY
Iron and Steel Demonstrations Foundry Park
Film Screenings Barnette Education Center
Family Friendly Hands-on Activities Plaza
11:00
Bethlehem Plant Walking Tour Plaza
Join former Steelworkers for a walking tour of the historic Bethlehem Plant. Purchase tickets at the front desk.
12:00
Steelworker Overtime Lunches Plaza
Complimentary overtime brown bag lunches for steelworkers and their families.
1:00
LECTURE: Surprises from the Archives – No.2 Machine Shop Barnette Education Center
Join Mike Piersa, NMIH Historian, for an introduction to the most iconic building on the former Bethlehem Plant site.
1:30
Bethlehem Plant Walking Tour Plaza
Join former Steelworkers for a walking tour of the historic Bethlehem Plant. Purchase tickets at the front desk.
2:00
PERFORMANCE: Bethlehem Steel Legacy Band Next Level Second Floor
A performance paying tribute to the Bethlehem Steel Company Band (1910 – 1925) will take place in the Museum’s newly expanded 2nd floor space. An industrial band Charles M. Schwab, President of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, gave as a Christmas present to the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Bethlehem Steel Company Band was seen performing locally at special events such as parades, parties, town ceremonies, school concerts, football club celebrations, and during the lunch hour for steel plant workers. The “Bethlehem Steel Company Legacy Band” performance will pay homage to the Bethlehem Steel Company Band while providing high quality music-making opportunities for performers and meaningful communication through music for the audience using historic period style music.
3:30
Steelworkers’ Archives Bus Tour Meet on NMIH Plaza
Visit the now redeveloped eastern end of the flagship Bethlehem Plant to learn more about the shops that were once here, as well as, the history of the lost Northampton Heights neighborhood. Tickets are $15 per person, free for veterans. More information and ticket registration can be found here.
4:00
Corliss Steam Engine Demonstration Machinery Hall
Join us as we operate our 115-ton Corliss steam engine! Generously sponsored by:
Hank & Joanne Barnette
MMZ Foundation

Funding was provided in part by the County of Northampton Department of Community & Economic Development Hotel Tax Grant Program.

Mystery of the Lehigh Gap
2025-10-19 11:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Play a series of mini-games as you time travel to 1845, 1853, and 1912 to learn about the Lehigh Gap’s industrial and environmental history!
October 19th, 11am-3pm
November 16th, 11am-3pm

Big Gun Bus Tour
2025-10-26 08:30 - 19:30 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Large coastal defense guns were a significant product line of Bethlehem Steel and other defense contractors. This day long tour, starting at NMIH in Bethlehem, PA, will drive past gun production sites then proceed to Fort Hancock, NJ to explore the remnants of the Sandy Hook Proving Ground where big gun testing occurred between 1874 and 1919. Among the many other stops will be a visit to Battery Gunnison/New Battery Peck, the most fully restored WWII seacoast artillery battery in the USA, where guests will watch volunteers from the Army Ground Forces Association perform a gun drill; see the plotting room, hoisting the ammunition, and the aiming and loading of a M1900 6-inch gun. Everything except firing will be experienced. Other stops will include the 16-inch gun at nearby Battery Lewis, and a rare look inside Fort Hancock’s historic 1911 water purification plant and pump house (in active use) and its historic Roller-Smith electrical panels built in Bethlehem, PA in the 1930s. Exact itinerary is subject to change.
The bus will leave NMIH at 8:30 AM and return at approximately 7:30 PM.
Price: $90 for NMIH members (Use code MEMBER to redeem), $100 non-members. $25 optional box lunch. Reserve your spot online by October 17th.

Trunk or Treat
2025-10-28 17:30 - 19:30 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

First Fridays @ NMIH
2025-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us for SouthSide Arts District’s First Fridays for extended hours and free admission from 6-8pm. Be sure to check out the many other special events going on throughout the SouthSide community here.
Pre-register for Flashlight Tours here.
