Calendar of Events

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]