Calendar of Events

Check out our industrial-theme float in the City of Bethlehem Halloween Parade!

Join the Steelworkers Veterans Memorial Committee for a ceremony and featured remarks at 10am followed by free admission to the National Museum of Industrial History for veterans and their families until 1pm.
With appearances by distinguished speakers, keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Erickson, Broughal Middle School Band, Bethlehem Mounted Police, Steel Battalion Army ROTC and NAM Knights

Join us for a discussion on recycling in celebration of America Recycles Day! Recycling experts from WM (formally known as Waste Management) will be sharing the do’s and don’ts about recycling at the curb – that includes explaining the term “wishcycling”.

Come join us for an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience to learn about industrial history in our watershed. Take a virtual canoe exploration down the Lehigh River to learn how the industrial revolution influenced and transformed our communities. In the VR experience, you will learn about the importance of coal, canals, and railroads, the cement and steel industries, and how areas in the Lehigh Valley were reinventing and transformed.

This presentation by NMIH Historian Mike Piersa will detail the process of casting toys and other products using iron. 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 materials that were inexpensive at the time, similar to today’s plastic toys. This illustrated lecture 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.

Join us December 27th, 28th and 29th from 11am – 3pm as we bring history to life with demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages. See many of our artifacts in operation including our 115-ton Corliss Steam Engine, operate a 19th century printing press, see a ribbon loom in action. Little ones can practice their S.T.E.A.M. skills with hands-on activities or color their own special holiday-themed "Tug" coloring page. Our unique gift shop will be offering 10% off select merchandise (20% for members). All included with regular museum admission (youth 12 and under FREE on Sunday). 

Join us as we operate the engine and learn more about this fascinating piece of industrial history from the museum’s historian.