The Moravian Archives will host a free “Bethlehem Heritage Day” event from 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 11.

It will feature unique historical items, exclusive vault tours and light refreshments from local coffee roasters and bakers.

Earlier this year, an assessor from UNESCO visited Bethlehem in connection with the city’s bid for World Heritage Status. For that occasion, Dr. Paul Peucker, archivist and director of the Moravian Archives, created a display of Bethlehem heritage items exclusively for the assessor and their entourage.

Now residents of Bethlehem, among others, have a one-time opportunity to view the same items presented to the UNESCO group. In addition, visitors can sign up for exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours to see how documents are organized and preserved in the fireproof vaults of the Archives.

Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop will provide a special blend of their delicious coffee, and Calvary Moravian Church of Allentown will provide homemade Moravian sugar cake. Besides these local treats, visitors will also enjoy the current exhibition of the Moravian Archives: The Archival Process, which explores what happens to items that are taken in and preserved by the Moravian Archives, a story told through the lens of recent acquisitions.

Situated at 41 W. Locust St., the Moravian Archives is a nonprofit church organization that serves as the official repository for the records of the Moravian Church in America - Northern Province. Over 500 researchers visit the archives annually to study its holdings, which primarily document Moravian Church activity in North America.

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