National Museum of Industrial History

Bethlehem Steel’s Last 20 Years Building Bridges and Buildings
2019-09-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
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
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

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.

Ham Radio Live
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.

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.

Father's Day Corliss Engine Operation and Specials
2019-06-16 06:00 - 13:00
Following its extremely successful debut weekend earlier this month, NMIH is hosting an encore demonstration of its massive 115-ton Corliss water pumping engine on Father’s Day, June 16th at 12pm and 3pm.
The museum is also offering half off admission to all dads on Father’s Day with another youth or adult admission. Regular admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors/students/veterans, $9 for youth 7-17, and free for youth 6 and under. The steam engine demonstration is included in regular museum admission.
Patrons can also enter to win a Father’s Day Appreciation Basket stuffed full of great gifts like a bottle of Social Still Sasquatch Bourbon, an NMIH blast furnace blueprint t-shirt, a Bethlehem Steel water bottle, 4 passes to the museum, and a ’50 Great Places in the U.S.’ book from the museum’s gift shop. Tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10, or an arm’s length for $20.
About NMIH’s Corliss 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.

Radio and You! The Past, Present, and Future of Our Best Electronic Friend
2019-06-08 10:00 - 11:00
Join us this Saturday as we welcome WDIY 88.1 FM‘s own Greg Capogna as he looks at the history and evolution of radio, from the science of Heinrich Rudolf Hertz and Guglielmo Marconi, to the emotional trust bond created by the portable transistor radio, and the impact that audio has on your life.

Greg began his role as WDIY’s Executive Director in October, 2018. He brings 30 years of broadcast management experience to the station, having held executive positions with the nation’s largest commercial radio corporations including Cumulus Media, Citadel Broadcasting and Clear Channel Communications in the South and Midwest. Before starting his role at WDIY, he also spent five years as a consultant in marketing, sales and sales management to radio stations in the South. He holds a BAA from Central Michigan University in Broadcast Journalism and lives in Bethlehem.

This program is free with regular museum admission!

Modern Marvels: Waterworks Engines
2019-06-02 10:00 - 11:00
For over a decade the National Museum of Industrial History has been working with staff and volunteers to restore a massive 115-ton stationary steam engine to working order. Now, with the contributions of local companies and thousands of volunteer manhours, the museum’s Corliss water pumping engine runs again, 105 years after being built by the Snow Steam Pump Works in Buffalo, NY. The engine was used by the York Water Company and pumped 8 million gallons of water a 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 repainted to its original color and mechanically restored to its former glory. On May 31st through June 2nd the museum will debut the operational engine to the public for the first time. Patrons will be able to see the engine at work and hear from museum experts and guest lecturers during special programming throughout the weekend which is generously sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and York Water Company..
At 2pm on Sunday the museum’s historian, Mike Piersa, will host a special presentation on the history of waterworks engines that were utilized to pump water to millions of people across the country, spawning the industrial revolution and the growth of modern cities. This special talk is included in regular museum admission.

Restoring a Giant: Bringing a 115 Ton Steam Engine Back to Life
2019-06-02 07:00 - 08:00
For over a decade the National Museum of Industrial History has been working with staff and volunteers to restore a massive 115-ton stationary steam engine to working order. Now, with the contributions of local companies and thousands of volunteer manhours, the museum’s Corliss water pumping engine runs again, 105 years after being built by the Snow Steam Pump Works in Buffalo, NY. The engine was used by the York Water Company and pumped 8 million gallons of water a 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 repainted to its original color and mechanically restored to its former glory. On May 31st through June 2nd the museum will debut the operational engine to the public for the first time. Patrons will be able to see the engine at work and hear from museum experts and guest lecturers during special programming throughout the weekend which is generously sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
On Sunday, June 2nd the museum will host a special presentation at 11am with the museum’s historian offering a detailed overview of the engine’s meticulous renovation. From pouring special reinforced concrete foundations and utilizing massive cranes to put it in place to painting the engine to its original scheme and firing it up for the first time, visitors will have a special opportunity to see what was involved in such a historic restoration and ask questions of the restoration team. The presentation is included in regular museum admission.
On Sunday the engine will operate at 10am, 12pm, and 3pm. Prior to the 12pm demonstration, NMIH will host a ‘whistle blow’ with steam whistles from the museum’s collection. The museum will also host an all-day demonstration of scale steam engine models, demonstrating different types of engines using artifacts from the museum’s collection.

Restoring a Giant: Bringing a 115 Ton Steam Engine Back to Life
2019-06-01 07:00 - 08:00
For over a decade the National Museum of Industrial History has been working with staff and volunteers to restore a massive 115-ton stationary steam engine to working order. Now, with the contributions of local companies and thousands of volunteer manhours, the museum’s Corliss water pumping engine runs again, 105 years after being built by the Snow Steam Pump Works in Buffalo, NY. The engine was used by the York Water Company and pumped 8 million gallons of water a 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 repainted to its original color and mechanically restored to its former glory. On May 31st through June 2nd the museum will debut the operational engine to the public for the first time. Patrons will be able to see the engine at work and hear from museum experts and guest lecturers during special programming throughout the weekend which is generously sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and York Water Company.
On Saturday, June 1st the museum will host a special presentation at 11am with the museum’s historian offering a detailed overview of the engine’s meticulous renovation. From pouring special reinforced concrete foundations and utilizing massive cranes to put it in place to painting the engine to its original scheme and firing it up for the first time, visitors will have a special opportunity to see what was involved in such a historic restoration and ask questions of the restoration team. The presentation is included in regular museum admission.
On Saturday the engine will operate at 10am, 12pm, and 3pm. Prior to the 12pm demonstration, NMIH will host a ‘whistle blow’ with steam whistles from the museum’s collection. The museum will also host an all-day demonstration of scale steam engine models, demonstrating different types of engines using artifacts from the museum’s collection.

NMIH Corliss & Phillipsburg 'Big Allis' Presentation and Tour
2019-05-31 07:00 - 09:00
For over a decade the National Museum of Industrial History has been working with staff and volunteers to restore a massive 115-ton stationary steam engine to working order. Now, with the contributions of local companies and thousands of volunteer manhours, the museum’s Corliss water pumping engine runs again, 105 years after being built by the Snow Steam Pump Works in Buffalo, NY. The engine was used by the York Water Company and pumped 8 million gallons of water a 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 repainted to its original color and mechanically restored to its former glory. On May 31st through June 2nd the museum will debut the operational engine to the public for the first time. Patrons will be able to see the engine at work and hear from museum experts and guest lecturers during special programming throughout the weekend which is generously sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and York Water Company..
The Corliss’ debut weekend kicks off on May 31st with a special tour and presentation at 11am. Participants will gather in the NMIH lobby, then carpool half an hour away to Phillipsburg, NJ where they will see an almost completely intact steam-era waterworks. The Phillipsburg engine is currently down for maintenance, which will allow guests the unique opportunity to climb up and down the five-story tall machine. Expert guides will discuss the history of the site, restoration work on the engine, and demonstrate the historic electric motor that powered another pump. After a lunch break, the group will return to NMIH where museum historian Mike Piersa will demonstrate the Corliss, detail the restoration process, and describe different aspects of the machine’s operation, from its fourteen foot diameter flywheel to the governor and gauges on the engine. Admission to the special talk and tour of both engines is $25, with proceeds going to both the National Museum of Industrial History and the Friends of the NJ Transportation Heritage Center to further fund the restoration of historical machinery.

Community Appreciation Day
2019-05-25 06:00 - 13:00
Join NMIH for a fun-filled Community Appreciation Day brought to you by Moravian Village of Bethlehem. Guests can enjoy free admission, youth coloring activities, and raffle prizes throughout the day. Additionally, the following activities are scheduled during the day and are free admission:
• Special screening of ‘Men At Lunch’ documentary at 10:30am
• Special screening of ‘Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter’ documentary at 1:30pm
•$5 guided tours at 2pm
Sponsored by:

The Unique Birth of Martin Tower
2019-05-11 10:00 - 11:00
NMIH is excited to host Gordon Baker, a retired licensed professional engineer and Civil Engineering graduate from Lehigh University has a unique history with Martin Tower. Assigned to Bethlehem Steel’s Fabricated Steel Construction (FSC) division, a sector of the company known throughout the industry as the place to go for major steel structures, he helped develop and implement a computerized system that produced shop drawings needed to fabricate building beams and columns.
This system was used for the first time on the development of Martin Tower at Bethlehem Steel’s Leetsdale facility, where Mr. Baker trained draftsmen in the use of the new program. Although cumbersome using 1960s technology, the numerically controlled program allowed for the computerization of equipment that punched holes in steel beams and burned shapes into plates. Later in the development of Martin Tower Mr. Baker supervised the fabrication of the beams and columns as an Assistant Superintendent at the Leetsdale fabrication shop.
This event is free with regular museum admission.

First Friday and 'Building an Icon' Slideshow
2019-05-03 12:00 - 16:00
The National Museum of Industrial History will celebrate First Friday with the SouthSide Arts District by offering reduced $5 admission from 4pm to 8pm and a special slideshow (free to the public without museum admission) with hundreds of rare photos from the construction and subsequent years of Martin Tower titled “Building an Icon.”
Celebrating nearly 50 years since its inception, and before its implosion on May 19th, the images trace the tower’s history from its groundbreaking in 1969 through its operational days as Bethlehem Steel’s headquarters. The photos, pulled and scanned from the museum’s archives, are being seen for the first time in decades.

Triumph and Tragedy: Building the Transcontinental Railroad
2019-04-28 10:00 - 13:00
NMIH commemorates the 150th anniversary of the ‘Golden Spike,’ the final spike joining the rails of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States. Guest speaker Ron Luckock will tell the tragic and triumphant stories behind the workers who toiled to build the railroad and showcase a 100lb G-scale model of the famous ‘Big Boy’ locomotive used by Union Pacific that stretches almost five feet long.

Visitors will then have the unique opportunity to carpool to Mr. Luckock’s house, which houses an astonishing 4500 sq. ft. O-scale train exhibit featuring over 600 scratch built models depicting the forks of the Delaware River where five railroads, three canals, and two rivers met and interchanged.

Ron Luckock served as an Air Force combat photographer and attended Santa Barbara City College and the Brooks Institute, earning a B.A. in Photographic Arts. He later worked as a machine operator at Ingersoll Rand in Phillipsburg, NJ until his retirement in 2000. His passion for railroads and trains is a life-long pursuit, with his Lehigh River Valley setup taking 40 years to complete.

This special presentation and tour is $5 in addition to regular museum admission.

SouthSide Community Day
2019-04-27 06:00 - 13:00
Join us on Saturday, April 27th for free museum admission, youth coloring activities, and a day of fun during the 13th Annual Cops ‘n’ Kids Lehigh Valley Celebration of Reading and the Arts & Sciences and SouthSide Arts District‘s Spring on the SouthSide.
This special event is sponsored by:

Music at the Museum: Songs from the Golden Age of Radio
2019-04-06 14:00 - 16:30
The medium of commercial broadcast radio grew into the fabric of daily life in the United States in the 1930s and 40s, providing news and entertainment to a country struggling with economic depression and war. The National Museum of Industrial History is bringing music to the museum with a memorable evening featuring songs from the Golden Age of radio and tours of the 2019 Signature Exhibit “Don’t Touch That Dial: 100 Years of Radio”. Guests will enjoy performances by the Corinne Mammana Quartet and a chance to explore the museum with expert guides. Light appetizers & non-alcoholic beverages will be served. All attendees receive one complimentary alcoholic beverage. Cash bar available on site.
All proceeds benefit the Museum’s ongoing educational programs and exhibits and the care and preservation of its unique collections. Tickets are $25 for NMIH members and $30 for the general public. Ticket includes 1 drink ticket, light appetizers & non-alcoholic beverages, museum admission and musical performance.
With a sophisticated and soothing style, Corinne Mammana is an American jazz singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist and bandleader. She is praised by JazzTimes for her “superb technique.” Her debut EP ‘Under an August Moon’ celebrates the Great American Songbook via a four-song collection of jazz standards from the 40s and 50s, as well as contemporary songs.
Buy Your Tickets Now
