More than 275 years ago, before Mack Trucks, Crayola, and even Martin Guitar discovered the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing potential, there were the Moravians. 
The Moravians, religious missionaries from Europe, settled a town they christened Bethlehem and built a complex of engineering marvels that would become one of America’s earliest industrial parks.
Hugging the Monocacy Creek near its confluence with the Lehigh River, the complex initially included mills, a tannery, blacksmith shop, and brass foundry. Perhaps the most innovative was the Waterworks, recognized as the first pumped municipal water system in America.
The Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) in Bethlehem has been recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its “outstanding universal value.” The 10-acre designation brought together several property owners, including Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, which are stewards of the CIQ. The listing encompasses key properties owned by the Bethlehem Area Moravians, the City of Bethlehem, Moravian University. and Historic Bethlehem. Together, these sites form part of a transnational World Heritage designation that connects Bethlehem to other historic Moravian congregation towns — Christiansfeld in Denmark, Gracehill in Northern Ireland, and Herrnhut in Germany— all founded in the 18th century on the Moravian ideal of the “perfect city.”
The World Heritage designation, one of 26 in the nation, is a capstone achievement for a generations-long preservation effort that saved the quarter from disrepair.
This year, as the preservation effort marks its 60th anniversary, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation sat down with LoriAnn Wukitsch, President & CEO of Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites, to discuss the quarter’s significance and the heritage of innovation that survives in the Lehigh Valley today.
Describe the importance of the Colonial Industrial Quarter, widely considered America’s earliest industrial park.
When the Moravians settled Bethlehem in the mid-18th century there was an emphasis on craft and industry as a means to support the community. By the mid-1750s, Bethlehem was home to approximately 50 crafts, trades, and industries, with 35 of them in the Colonial Industrial Quarter (CIQ) area. It’s believed to be the earliest industrial complex in the United States and today it continues to have an economic impact since it’s now part of the nation’s newest World Heritage Site, Moravian Church Settlements—Bethlehem.
What sort of industries initially operated in the Industrial Quarter and how did they grow?
Within two years of their arrival, the Moravians had built saw, grist, soap, and oil mills, as well as a tannery, blacksmith shop, and brass foundry. During its height, the area along the Monocacy Creek was home to operations focused on textiles and apparel; the metal trades; tanning and leatherwork; woodworking and cabinetmaking; masonry and much more. It was truly remarkable. While the Moravians were pacifists, they did provide products and supplies for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Today, we bring these industries to life through a variety of programs and exhibitions in the CIQ and the Moravian Museum.
Why was that location along the Monocacy Creek important to the development of the industries there?
Waterpower was essential to the craftsmen and mill operations. The 1762 Waterworks is actually considered the first pumped municipal water system — even before Philadelphia — with an 18-foot-in-diameter waterwheel that helped pump water from a spring uphill to a tower in the area where Central Moravian Church now stands. It’s now a National Historic Landmark and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark that people can visit on our Birthplace of Industry Tour. The wheel is still operational thanks to HBMS’s historic preservation efforts and, most recently, a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Was the Industrial Quarter considered remarkable in its time?
Absolutely, and for proof of that, look no further than Founding Father John Adams, who visited Bethlehem in 1777. When he arrived, Adams was amazed by what he saw. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, he described the community as a “curious and remarkable town.” He later wrote, “(The Moravians) have carried the mechanical arts to greater perfection here than in any place which I have seen.”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of historic preservation efforts of the Industrial Quarter. How many buildings have been restored and what are some significant ones?
Over the decades, four properties have been preserved and restored in the CIQ — the 1761 Tannery, 1762 Waterworks, Luckenbach Mill and, most recently, the 1782/1834 Grist Miller’s House, which opened to the public this spring after being shuttered for two decades. In addition, the Smithy on Main Street and the Springhouse are reconstructions of buildings at their original locations. The Grist Miller’s House project was just recognized with a Preservation Pennsylvania “2025 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Construction Award for Rehabilitation.”
Just over 60 years ago, the CIQ was home to deteriorating structures and a salvage yard. Today, it’s a well-preserved collection of beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings that highlight Bethlehem’s history and the impact the Moravians had on our region. We owe a great deal of thanks to the city, early preservation organizations such as Historic Bethlehem Inc., and community volunteers such as Ralph Schwarz, who rallied the community behind preserving the city’s historic buildings. Without their efforts, these structures may have been lost forever.
How is the Industrial Park used by the community today?
The Luckenbach Mill is used regularly for community events and educational programs and hosts the Lehigh Art Alliance’s exhibits and programs, while the Grist Miller’s House offers tours, education programs, and exhibits. The 10-acre CIQ is a beautiful, tranquil reminder of Bethlehem’s history that also provides opportunities for outdoor recreation including walking, cycling, jogging, and fishing. Many people visit the site to learn about its past through the historic walking tours we offer. In addition, the CIQ serves as the backdrop for events like Musikfest and Celtic Classic, so it’s incredibly popular year-round, welcoming more than one million visitors annually.
What’s next for the restoration efforts and how do you see the site’s role evolving over the decade?
Since Moravian Church Settlements-Bethlehem was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2024, there has been a significant increase in visitors to Bethlehem’s historic district. Historic Bethlehem and its partners are currently working on the next major project — the development of the $1.5-million Overlook on History, a glass-and-steel classroom and community space designed by architect David Scott Parker that will connect the Grist Miller’s House to the Luckenbach Mill while offering a panoramic view of the CIQ. The goal is to introduce even more visitors to the site, helping to further support tourism in Bethlehem. Crews just started working on the stone walls that will support the Overlook, which is scheduled to open in late summer 2026.
How do you see the industrial spirit of the early Moravians reflected in the strength of the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing sector today?
As one of the fastest growing manufacturing communities in the U.S., Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley exhibit many of the same characteristics as the early Moravian community including innovativeness, creativity, and resilience. Despite challenges over the years as various industries closed or moved out, the Lehigh Valley continues to reinvent itself, attract new businesses, and flourish. We’re in the top 15% of manufacturing economies in the nation while still maintaining our historic foundation and ensuring Bethlehem’s unique sense of place.
(Photo courtesy of Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites/Paul S. Bartholomew)