It was with great excitement that we read this week about several buildings designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright -- including Pennsylvania’s own Fallingwater -- being named World Heritage Sites. Fallingwater joins Independence Hall as Pennsylvania’s two entries on a prestigious global list that includes iconic sites such as The Great Wall of China, the Acropolis in Greece and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

It’s also an occasion to remember -- and celebrate -- the fact that our own Historic Moravian Bethlehem site here in the Lehigh Valley is in the process of being considered for this honor. We are currently on an exclusive short list of candidates that the United States can nominate to become a World Heritage Site in the future.

A commission of local leaders and government officials is working diligently to make the designation a reality. Becoming a World Heritage Site will bring us international recognition. Join us in creating a sense of place and sharing the pride that we have in our community with the whole world.

With almost 15 acres in the heart of Bethlehem comprising the historic Moravian buildings along Church Street down into the Colonial Industrial Quarter, come and take a step back into history and experience the timeless community and ageless values that the Moravians brought here in 1741. (You can see more at historicbethlehem.org.)

We are looking forward to the day when we will take our place alongside Pennsylvania’s Independence Hall and Fallingwater as well as other worldwide treasures and share the profound story of Historic Moravian Bethlehem with an even broader global audience.

Charlene Donchez Mowers

President of Bethlehem World Heritage Commission

and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites