S.T.E.A.M. Adventures: Lifecycle of a Silk Moth
2024-05-19 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us on the third Sunday of each month for a drop-in style family program to engage in S.T.E.A.M. concepts like building, engineering, and strategic thinking. During Family Sundays, all youth 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult admission is $15.
This month’s theme will explore the life cycle of a silk moth and the silk industry through a variety of hands-on activities and experiences. Our May S.T.E.A.M. Adventures is part of Remake Learning Days Northeastern PA, a celebration of innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance and curiosity. Remake Learning Days is a festival of events hosted by a variety of organizations, such as schools, museums, libraries, after school organizations, early child care centers, parks, universities, media centers, tech startups and more. These events are designed to be hands-on, relevant and engaging educational experiences for youth of all ages (pre-K through high school) and their families, caregivers and educators. The majority of events are free and open to kids of all ages. For more information, visit Northeastern PA – Remake Learning Days.

Locomotive Engineers Experience
2024-05-19 11:00 - 15:00

PA Shakespeare Festival's "Play On!" Community Tour at NMIH
2024-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s “Play On!” Community Tour returns to the National Museum of Industrial History this summer with a production of William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. A free performance will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 12pm on the Museum’s plaza. The Comedy of Errors follows the entertaining escapades of two sets of identical twins separated at birth and residing in the same town. Mistaken identities make for hilarious complications until chaos gives way to clarity, and mayhem to mirth, when brother is reunited with brother and a town turned upside-down is turned right-side up again.

For more information about PSF’s 2024 summer season, please visit pashakespeare.org. The National Museum of Industrial History is located at 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. For more information about NMIH, please visit nmih.org

Bethlehem Steel Locomotive Engineer Experience
2024-06-02 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-06-16 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-07-07 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-07-21 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-04 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-08-18 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-09-01 11:00 - 15:15, 2024-09-15 11:00 - 15:15 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

S.T.E.A.M. Adventures
2024-06-05 11:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us on the third Sunday of each month for a drop-in style family program to engage in S.T.E.A.M. concepts like building, engineering, and strategic thinking. During Family Sundays, all youth 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult admission is $15. This month’s activity is binary code bracelets.

1876 World's Fair Weekend 2024
2024-06-08 10:00 - 2024-06-09 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
June 8th & 9th 10am-3pm
Travel back in time and celebrate the engineering, industry, and culture of Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial International Exhibition. Enjoy machinery demonstrations, pop-up exhibits, Victorian games, family activities, music and food!
Highlights to include:
Guest Lecture on the 1964 Debut of the Ford Mustang at the New York Word’s Fair with Jeff Bliemeister, Executive Director of America’s Transportation Experience, the AACA Museum, Inc at Hershey.
Historical Reenactment of President Ulysses S. Grant’s remarks during the Fair’s opening ceremony & performance by the Antebellum Marine Band
Historic Phonograph demonstrations with Aaron Loyack
Victorian Era Toys Display with Bob Swaim
Pop-up Exhibit with Sigal Museum
Pop-up Exhibit with Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
Travel & the World’s Fairs Display with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Tastes of the Centennial sampling station
All World’s Fair Weekend Programming included with regular admission; Youth 12 and under FREE on Sunday

About the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition
145 years ago, in 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial International Exhibition, considered the country’s first World’s Fair. Visitors from 37 countries trekked to the site, located on a sprawling 450 acre campus, with nearly 10 million visitors taking in the sights, sounds, and smells across the span of six months.
Machinery Hall, the second largest building on the grounds, plays an important role in the country’s industrial history. Everything from massive steam engines to intricate woodworking machinery were on display, fully introducing America’s industrial might on the world’s stage for the first time.

Introducing an Icon: the Development of the Ford Mustang and its April 17, 1964 Debut at the New York Word’s Fair
2024-06-09 13:00 - 14:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join Jeff Bliemeister, Executive Director of America’s Transportation Experience at the AACA Museum, Inc at Hershey, during World’s Fair Weekend for an exciting guest lecture. Included with admission.
The early 1960s were a time of economic prosperity and rapidly changing demographics in the United States. American families were evolving from single car to multi vehicle households at a staggering rate. Baby Boomers were coming of age, creating a vast untapped market. Lee Iacocca, the 36-year-old Vice President and General Manager of Ford Motor Company was a degreed engineer but stood out as a natural salesman. He recognized the potential market appeal of a sporty but practical two door car –something stunningly different that was affordable and within the reach of most potential buyers. Still smarting from the financial disaster of the Edsel, Ford Motor Company’s president, Henry Ford II, was hesitant to invest a new and untested venture. Iacocca assembled a team of executives from across Ford’s various departments who met “off-campus” at the Fairlane Inn in Dearborn, Michigan in the evenings to conduct research and design discussions on a new sporty youth-oriented car. The work of the “Fairlane Committee” led to the development of the now iconic Ford Mustang. Never one to miss a marketing opportunity, Iacocca targeted the 1964 New York World’s Fair for the car’s public debut. The period from project approval to April 17th was 18-months, a then unheard-of timeframe for developing a
new model.
This talk will discuss the fascinating history behind the Mustang’s development. Ford’s use of television and other media to create anticipation for the new car will also be highlighted, along with the overwhelming reception Mustang received both from the buying public and the press. Ford had the largest building at the New York World’s Fair and used this venue for the Mustang’s press release and public unveiling. Millions of visitors were then given the opportunity to “ride” in a new Mustang convertible as part of the pavilion’s Disney-built “Magic Skyway.” Weather permitting, Mr. Bliemeister will drive his 1964 ½ Mustang Convertible to the NMIH for outside display on the day of the talk.
For a full schedule of World’s Fair Weekend events, click here.
About the Presenter
Jeff Bliemeister is the Executive Director of America’s Transportation Experience, the AACA Museum, Inc at Hershey. He has worked as a museum professional since graduating from college and has over 35 years of experience in the field. His credentials include a BA in history and political science from the State University of New York College at Geneseo and an MA in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.
His interest in world’s fairs came from a college internship at the Bufalo and Erie County Historical Society where he spent a summer researching the city’s 1901 Pan American Exposition. His work served as the outline narrative for a semi-permanent exhibition. While on a recent vacation, he visited the Sunsphere and other remaining structures from Knoxville’s 1982 World’s Fair. Jeff recently learned that he attended the New York World’s Fair in 1965. Unfortunately, he has no recollection of the Mustang at the Ford Pavilion as he was traveling in a baby stroller.
His interest in the Ford Mustangs goes back even further. He admired the then classic cars as a teenager and purchased his first project Mustang while in college. He has owned at least one vintage Mustang continuously since 1984. Weather permitting, he will drive his 1964 ½ Mustang Convertible to the NMIH for outside display on the day of the talk.

4th of July Horn and Whistle Recording Session
2024-07-04 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
“Surveying the ruder ages from her pinnacle of refinement, picking among historic methods of solemnly hailing an illustrious day, America found nothing so fit for the purpose as the steam whistle.” George E. Pond, on whistling for the 4th, 1876
Celebrate the 4th as factories, railroads, and ships have, by sounding whistles and horns. This special event will begin with a presentation by Brian Ferrence at 11 AM on the history of whistles used on steam locomotives. At noon, we will use compressed air to blow a variety of whistles and horns, each taking its turn so their unique sounds can be recorded.
Do you own a whistle or air horn that you would like to hear? If so, bring it in, and if it passes a safety review, we will do our best to pipe it in. There are many such devices that were salvaged from old locomotives, mines, and mills, that have not been heard in decades. Let’s hear them now.
All activities included with Museum admission.
Earplugs will be for sale.

Lehigh Valley Passport to History Week 3
2024-07-21 10:00 - 17:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Passport to History Month is a celebration of the places, stories, and community that bring local history to life.
Each weekend in July, participating historic and cultural sites in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties will open their doors to the public with FREE tours, activities, and programs for visitors of all ages. See the schedule for Weekend 3 below:
National Museum of Industrial History
Sunday, July 21 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
602 E. SECOND STREET, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015
Enjoy free admission and explore the story of the people, innovation, and inventions that shaped America into an industrial powerhouse supplying products to the world. Visit our special exhibition, New and Improved! The Age of Convenience in the Home for a blast-from-the-past look at what it meant to strive for the American Dream after WWII. Families can also drop by between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for “Float Your Boat,” a S.T.E.A.M. Adventure activity that explores concepts like building, engineering, and strategic thinking.
Special Exhibition information: New and Improved! The Age of Convenience in the Home

S.T.E.A.M. Adventures
2024-07-21 11:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us on the third Sunday of each month for a drop-in style family program to engage in S.T.E.A.M. concepts like building, engineering, and strategic thinking. During Family Sundays, all youth 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult admission is $15. This month’s activity is “Float Your Boat”.

Metal Melting for Kids
2024-07-21 12:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States

Anthracite Railroad Ramble 2024
2024-07-31 09:00 - 18:00
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, July 31, 2024. The trip will depart from the brand-new station in Nesquehoning, PA ( 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). The destination will be Vosburg Tunnel, a 3,900 foot long former Lehigh Valley Railroad tunnel north of Tunkhannock, PA, that was completed in 1886. Photo run bys will be held at various locations with plenty of time for photographs after the trip as our group tours 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.
We are pleased to announce that a portion of the 2024 Anthracite Railroad Ramble will include historical narration from Michael Helbing, President of Metrotrails. He will discuss the railroad, canal, and industrial history along the route, especially the spectacular transportation corridor through Lehigh Gorge.
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 (cash only). Seating is limited and expected to sell out. Guests must arrange their own transportation to and from Nesquehoning, PA.
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.

Tickets available here.

$5 Express Tickets During Musikfest
2024-08-01 10:00 - 2024-08-11 18:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Attending Musikfest 2024? Stop by the Museum to cool down and enjoy $5 admission, extended hours, a truly unique gift shop and amazing stories of American ingenuity throughout history. NMIH will be open 10-6 on August 1st through 4th and August 7th through 11th. Please note the Museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Metal Melting for Kids
2024-08-04 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-08-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-01 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-09-15 12:00 - 15:00

AUTHOR TALK: Bethlehem Steel Rusting Relic with Steven & John Landis
2024-08-10 13:00 - 14:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Join us for a guest lecture and book signing for “Bethlehem Steel Rusting Relic”. In 2001, the unthinkable happened when Bethlehem Steel declared bankruptcy after nearly a century and a half of making iron and steel for bridges, buildings, dams, railroad rail, ships, armor plating, armaments, and numerous other products. When the flagship plant in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, closed, it sat abandoned for some years before the hallowed site was repurposed with a casino, hotel, restaurants, and shops. During the time in between, Steven M. Landis had rare, sanctioned access to photograph the derelict plant, capturing incredible photography of many never-before-seen and likely never-to-be-seen-again perspectives by climbing everything he could, both inside and outside the abandoned buildings, including to the top of the blast furnaces. When combined with his artistic eye, the viewers will find that Steven’s camerawork truly “elevates” Bethlehem Steel photography. His dad, John K. Landis, subsequently became an Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites tour guide in 2019 and began showing those photographs–published here for the first time–to visitors in order to reveal sections of the shuttered plant that were inaccessible or altogether gone. John wrote the accompanying text after hosting hundreds of Bethlehem Steel plant tours. Included with Museum Admission.
Steven M. Landis works as a key account manager in the automotive industry, where he has been employed in a variety of roles for nearly two decades. He is an inventor and creative writer, enjoys the agony and elation of mountain climbing, and loves photographing the beautiful, bizarre, and especially hard-to-access or abandoned places. He regrets having been too young to ever have worked at Bethlehem Steel but counts the rare access he had exploring and photographing the hallowed grounds of the former flagship plant—where so much of modern U.S. and global history was written—as being among the best moments in his life.
John K. Landis, a steel plant tour guide with Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites, is often asked if he worked for Bethlehem Steel. He is in fact a graphic designer and professor emeritus of art. But, on tour days, he feels like he does work for this icon of American heavy industry, albeit as a “looper,” the name Bethlehem Steel gave to management trainees on a “loop course” around the plant as they learned about the company. It is with this perspective that John wrote text to accompany the photographs, awed as he is by the beauty of our industrial heritage and eager to pass along his continuously evolving knowledge of the might and majesty of the steel industry of
the past.

S.T.E.A.M. Adventures
2024-08-18 11:00 - 15:00
Join us on the third Sunday of each month for a drop-in style family program to engage in S.T.E.A.M. concepts like building, engineering, and strategic thinking. During Family Sundays, all youth 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Adult admission is $15. This month’s activity is Rock Painting! Learn about the raw materials needed in the steelmaking process and paint your own rock to either take home or decorate our museum garden.

2024 Annual Gala
2024-09-14 17:00 - 20:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
On September 14th, we gathered together at the Museum to celebrate our mission and honor Manufacturers Resource Center with the Spirit of Innovation Award. A heartfelt thank you to Manufacturers Resource Center, the PA Dream Team, our generous sponsors and attendees, and our dedicated Board of Directors, staff and volunteers for making this evening possible. Thanks also to our guest performers Madelyn Dundon and Patrick Kerssen and to Settlers Hospitality/Karen Hunter and CB Banquet Services for the delicious food and drink.
All proceeds help support our dynamic exhibits, innovative programs, youth educational initiatives and the ongoing care of our collections. Together, we can preserve the past, explore the present and inspire future generations. Thank you!

Metal Health: A Veteran focused hands-on iron art casting workshop
2024-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 | National Museum of Industrial History, 602 East Second Street, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
On Friday, September 20th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, 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, September 21st at 7pm, a public iron pour demonstration will take place outdoors in the Museum’s Foundry Park (weather permitting) with the participation of workshop registrants. 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 on Sunday, September 22nd during Steel Weekend before their makers bring them home.
All activities will take place outdoors at the National Museum of Industrial History, located on the grounds of the former Bethlehem, PA, plant of Bethlehem Steel.
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.
Space is limited and registration is required. Free for veterans, $40 for general public. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Register Here

Steel Weekend 2024
2024-09-21 10:00 - 2024-09-22 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 | Steelworker Portrait Studio
Pop-Up Exhibits | Youth Activities | Public Art Installation
Live Demonstrations | Songs About Steelmaking & More
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HERE.
Can’t attend, but still want to lend your support? Donate here.

Steeples & Steel Tour with Steelworkers' Archives
2024-09-28
