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Marking 100 years Hotel Bethlehem celebrates in style

Published July 19. 2022 12:02PM
by Dana Grubb Special to the Bethlehem Press

Main Street’s Historic Hotel Bethlehem celebrated its 100th anniversary in style recently with hundreds of area residents, local dignitaries, elected officials and hotel staff past and present in attendance. Ranked as the No. 1 Best Historic Hotel in America by USA Today, the Hotel Bethlehem is often called the anchor of Main Street, so the celebration was one worthy of that ranking.

The event included music entertainment on Main Street by students from Liberty HS and Nitschmann MS, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hotel’s main entrance, chats and tours inside, live period music by a number of performers, interactive history chats in the mural and grand ballrooms, historical displays and a champagne toast and cake cutting. Guests and ticket holders enjoyed a range of experiences to celebrate the Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s centennial.

In his remarks before the ribbon cutting, hotel managing partner Bruce Haines thanked the hotel’s customers and residents of Bethlehem for elevating it to its No. 1 Best Historic Hotel in America rating. “The staff here is incredible,” Haines said and he recognized the longest serving hotel general manager, Dennis Costello, who was general manager for 16 years. “It’s not just about the hotel, it’s about Bethlehem,” Haines said.

Local elected and business dignitaries offered congratulations, including state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, who delivered a proclamation, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, who presented a certificate of achievement, Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds and a representative for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, who delivered his well wishes.

Larry Horowitz, executive director of Historic Hotels of America and Worldwide, noted the Hotel Bethlehem was the first to fly the historic hotels flag. “You are saving the past for future generations,” Horowitz said.

Attendees mingled with actors dressed as celebrities, such as aviator Amelia Earhart and actress Barbara Eden. 2 Joes and Jane, Doceltto, the Hanover Big Band and The Moravian Collective provided pop, jazz, swing and classical music. A photo booth allowed an opportunity to have photos taken with period accents such as hats and boas.

Press photos by Dana Grubb A banner strung across one of the Hotel's windows on Main Street welcomes the public.
Dressed as a 1920's era flapper Hotel employee was positioned on Main Street to greet guests attending the 100th anniversary celebration.
Liberty HS's barbershop quartet and the hurriquettes entertained the crowd prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“I'm really proud of all we've accomplished and I really credit most of that to my wife,” said the hotel's managing partner Bruce Haines about his wife JoAnn.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DANA GRUBB Surrounded by dignitaries and guests, Bruce and JoAnn Haines cut the ribbon of rededication for the Hotel Bethlehem.
Guests crowd into the Hotel Bethlehem's lobby and Tap Room after the ribbon cutting.
A mammoth anniversary cake waits to be cut and shared with those in attendance.
The Nitschmann MS jazz band provided live music outside the hotel.
“It's beautiful,” said Liz Aber from Richlandtown, who was dressed as onetime Hotel guest actress Barbara Eden, famous for her lead role in “I Dream of Jeannie.”
“I've had a lot of fun working here,” said Alyssa Dominguez, who dressed as a hospitality girl at the hotel in the 1960s.
Two displays of Hotel Bethlehem memorabilia included this ring of room keys from the Hotel's past.
Among the throng of guests were Anne Lutkenhouse and Shawn Welch who dressed in period reproductions as a 1920s flapper and a 1922 World War I soldier.