World Through My Eyes: 2025.10.07 Stroll in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem is a charming city in eastern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia and 80 miles west of New York City. The town was officially named Bethlehem—after the biblical birthplace of Jesus—on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1741, by Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a leader of the Moravian Church.

The Moravian Church is one of the world’s oldest Protestant denominations, tracing its roots to Bohemia and Moravia, now part of the Czech Republic. Its early reformer, Jan Hus, challenged the Catholic Church by encouraging worship and Bible reading in Czech instead of Latin. He was executed for heresy in 1415, but his followers carried on his teachings. Many of these persecuted Moravians eventually found refuge in Herrnhut, Germany, and later crossed the Atlantic to Pennsylvania—where they founded the community that would become Bethlehem.

The Moravians brought with them a beautiful Christmas tradition known as the putz—miniature, detailed scenes that tell the story of Jesus’ birth, often extending beyond the Nativity itself. During the Victorian era, families in Bethlehem would visit each other’s homes to admire these intricate displays, turning the town into a living gallery of faith and craftsmanship.

In 1937, Bethlehem’s Chamber of Commerce officially branded the town “Christmas City, USA.” The tradition took off, with the Historic Hotel Bethlehem hosting elaborate exhibits that drew thousands of visitors. Even today, the city fully embraces its holiday spirit with the Christkindlmarkt, horse-drawn carriage rides, twinkling lights, and other festive events that make the season come alive.

It’s a shame we didn’t visit during Christmas—I can only imagine how magical the streets must look under all those lights. I suspect it would have been a wonderfully festive and memorable experience.

Beyond its holiday charm, Bethlehem is also known as the “Steel City.” For much of the 20th century, Bethlehem Steel was the heart of the community and one of America’s industrial giants. Founded in 1857, the company became the nation’s second-largest steel producer, providing the steel for landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Hoover Dam, as well as warships during both World Wars.

By the 1970s, cheaper imports and changing markets began to erode the company’s dominance. After years of struggle, Bethlehem Steel was officially dissolved in 2003. But the story didn’t end there—the vast steel plant has been reimagined as SteelStacks, a lively arts and cultural campus that hosts concerts, film screenings, and community events beneath the iconic blast furnaces.

During our visit, we spent most of our time exploring the Moravian Historic District. The old stone buildings were full of charm and character, each one whispering a story from centuries past. Strolling along the quiet streets, it was easy to imagine what life might have been like when this little city was first taking shape—faith, craftsmanship, and community woven into every corner.

伯利恆是賓州東部一座有魅力的城市，位於費城以北約 60 英里，紐約市以西約 80 英里處。 1741 年 12 月 24 日聖誕夜，摩拉維亞教會(Moravian Church)領袖尼古拉斯·路德維希·馮·辛岑多夫伯爵(Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf)將這座城鎮命名為伯利恆，以紀念聖經中耶穌的誕生地。

摩拉維亞教會是世界上最古老的新教派之一，其根源可追溯到波希米亞和摩拉維亞（現屬於捷克共和國）。早期革新者胡斯(Jan Hus)鼓勵教友用捷克語而非拉丁語來做禮拜和閱讀聖經，以此挑戰天主教會。然而胡斯於 1415 年因異端邪說遭處決，但他的追隨者們卻繼承了他的教義。許多遭受迫害的摩拉維亞信徒在德國赫恩胡特找到了避難所，後來又跨越大西洋來到賓州，在這裡建立了後來的伯利恆社區。

摩拉維亞人帶來一種名為「putz」（耶穌誕生場景）的精美聖誕傳統, 即用小型、細緻的場景來表述耶穌誕生的故事，但內容常不止於耶穌降生的場景。在維多利亞時代，伯利恆的居民會互相拜訪，欣賞這些精美的擺飾，將這座城市變成了一座充滿宗教信仰和手工藝品的活態畫廊。

1937 年，伯利恆商會正式將這座城市命名為「美國聖誕城」。這傳統便自此開始。歷史悠久的伯利恆酒店也舉辦了精彩的展覽，吸引了成千上萬的遊客。即始今日，在聖誕時節，這座城市仍然充滿節日氣氛，聖誕市集、馬車遊行、璀璨的燈光以及其他節日活動讓這個節期充滿活力。

真遺憾我們沒能在聖誕節期間去——我只能想像在燈光的照耀下，街道一定多不可思議。我想，這一定會是充滿熱鬧氣氛、令人難忘的體驗。

除了聖誕節慶魅力之外，伯利恆也被稱為「鋼鐵之城」。20 世紀大半，伯利恆鋼鐵公司是當地的核心，也是美國工業巨頭之一。這公司成立於 1857 年，後來成為美國第二大鋼鐵生產商，為金門大橋、帝國大廈和胡佛水壩等地標建築以及兩次世界大戰期間的軍艦提供鋼材。

到了 1970 年代，廉價的進口商品和不斷變化的市場開始削弱該公司的主導地位。經過多年的掙扎，伯利恆鋼鐵公司於 2003 年正式解散。但故事並未就此結束，這家龐大的鋼鐵廠被重新設計為 SteelStacks，這個充滿活力的藝術文化園區，在標誌性的高爐下舉辦音樂會、社區活動和放映電影。

這次我們主要在摩拉維亞歷史街區閒逛。古老的石頭建築充滿魅力和特色，每一座建築都低聲訴說著幾個世紀前的故事。漫步在安静的街道上，不難想像這座小城初具雛形時的生活景象──信仰、工藝和社區交織在每個角落。

When I randomly take pictures of objects, I never know what stories I might discover behind them. You can dig deeper into the Eliza Richardson Fountain by watching this YouTube video.

當我隨意拍攝東西時，我總是不知道什麼時候會無意間發現它們背後的故事。觀看這段 YouTube 視頻，你可以更深入地了解伊麗莎·理查森噴泉。

This historical landmark, the “Drink, Pilgrim” fountain, features an inscription of a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge titled “Inscription for a Fountain on a Health.” The inscription on the well reads: “DRINK, PILGRIM, HERE, AND IF THY HEART BE INNOCENT, HERE TOO SHALT THOU REFRESH THY SPIRIT.”

這座歷史地標－「飲吧，朝聖者」噴泉，刻有柯勒律治的詩作《獻給健康噴泉的碑文》。井上的碑文寫道：「飲吧，朝聖者，在此飲水，若你心懷純潔，亦可在此更新你的心靈。」

The Historic Hotel Bethlehem, a Beaux-Arts landmark built in 1922 on the site of the original Moravian “First House” from 1741, was commissioned by Bethlehem Steel president Charles M. Schwab. It became a vibrant social hub, hosting numerous U.S. presidents—including John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower—as well as notable figures like Winston Churchill and Amelia Earhart.

伯利恆歷史酒店是一座建於 1922 年美術學院派建築風格的地標建築，其前身是 1741 年摩拉維亞的「第一座房屋」。這酒店是由伯利恆鋼鐵公司總裁施瓦布(Charles M. Schwab)委託建造，後來成為生氣勃勃的社交中心，接待過許多美國總統，包括甘迺迪和艾森豪威爾，以及溫斯頓·邱吉爾和阿梅莉亞·埃爾哈特等知名人士。

Moravian Book Shop was founded in 1745 by the Moravian Church and lays claim to being the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the United States.

摩拉維亞書店由摩拉維亞教會於 1745 年創立，號稱是美國歷史最悠久持續經營的書店。

Musselman Jewelers and Central Moravian Church

穆塞爾曼珠寶店和中央摩拉維亞教堂

The Central Moravian Church’s worship chapel, built in 1806 in the Federal architectural style, is a contributing structure in the Central Bethlehem Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and expanded in 1988. It also contributes to the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2012.

中央摩拉維亞教堂的禮拜堂建於 1806 年，採用聯邦式建築風格，是中央伯利恆歷史街區的重要建築物。這裏於 1972 年被列入國家史蹟名錄。1988 年擴建，也是歷史悠久的摩拉維亞伯利恆街區的一部分，於 2012 年被指定為國家歷史地標。

The Colonial Industrial Quarter is recognized as America’s earliest industrial park. Located between the Central Moravian Church and Monocacy Creek, the Moravians utilized the area’s natural water sources for power and industry. Soon after their arrival, they built mills and workshops including saw, soap, and grist mills, as well as a tannery, blacksmith shop, and brass foundry.

By 1747, the community supported 35 trades and industries, such as weaving, pottery, clockmaking, and baking. As production expanded, the Moravians replaced early log buildings with more durable limestone structures between the 1740s and 1770s.

In the 19th century, many original buildings were repurposed or demolished, and by the 1950s, the site had deteriorated into a junkyard. Starting in the late 1950s and 1960s, preservation efforts began, leading to archaeological research and restoration of this historically significant early industrial center. At this site — the 26th World Heritage Site in the United States — you can visit freely without paying an entrance fee.

殖民地工業區被公認為美國最早的工業園區。它位於中央摩拉維亞教堂和莫諾卡西溪之間，摩拉維亞教徒利用這地區的天然水源發展能源動力和工業。他們抵達後不久，便建造了鋸木廠、肥皂廠、穀物磨坊等磨坊和工作坊，以及製革廠、鐵匠鋪和黃銅鑄造廠。

到 1747 年，這裏已有 35 種行業，例如紡織、陶器、鐘錶製造和烘焙。隨著生產的擴大，摩拉維亞人在 1740 至 1770 年代間用耐久的石灰石建築取代了早期的木屋。

19 世紀，許多原有建築被改作他用或被拆除，到了 1950 年代，這裏已淪為垃圾場。1950 年代末，1960 年代左右，開始展開了文物保存工作，促成了對這個具有重要歷史意義的早期工業中心的考古研究和修復。在這個美國第 26 個世界遺產所在地，你可自由參觀，無需門票。

Moravian Blacksmith Shop. The Smithy was built in 1750, expanded in 1761, and later had a second floor added. The original building was eventually dismantled and later reconstructed. The Smithy contained workrooms and forges for the nail-smith, locksmith, blacksmith, tinsmith, gunsmith, and gunstock maker. Blacksmithing was one of the most important trades in Colonial America, as smiths made and repaired tools, kitchen utensils, weapons, agricultural implements, and household items.

摩拉維亞鐵匠鋪。這座鐵匠鋪建於 1750 年，於 1761 年擴建，後來又加蓋了二樓。原建築最終被拆除，後來又被重建。鐵匠鋪內設有釘匠、鎖匠、鐵匠、錫匠、槍匠和槍托匠的工作間和鍛爐。鐵匠業是殖民時期美國最重要的產業之一，鐵匠們製造和修理工具、廚房用具、武器、農具和家居用品。

The current Springhouse — the white oak log building on the left in the picture below — is a 1970 reconstruction of the original 1764 design. A springhouse is a small structure built over a natural spring to keep debris, animals, and other contaminants out of the fresh water, while protecting the source and helping keep food cool. Before modern refrigeration, springhouses served as natural refrigerators, providing cold storage to preserve perishable foods such as meats, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.

The Tannery, the building on the right in the picture below, was originally built as a small log structure in 1743 along the east side of the Grist Mill, which is now the Luckenbach Mill. Leather was both an important material and a valuable commodity in early Bethlehem, making the need for the tannery all the greater and one of the most profitable industries in the community. At the Tannery, craftsmen created a variety of leather goods such as shoes, boots, saddles, harnesses, fire buckets, and machinery parts. The Monocacy Creek was used as a washing station for cleaning the hides. When trade with England ended due to the American Revolution, the demand for leather rose significantly. Moravian tanners produced about 3,000 hides a year, both for community use and to raise funds to support the settlement.

The Tannery was operated by the Moravians until 1829, and tanning ceased in 1873 due to the rising price of tanbark. The structure was then converted into a multi-family dwelling and later used for various operations. Over time, the building deteriorated to the point of becoming a tenement house surrounded by an automobile junkyard. The Tannery was restored between 1968 and 1971 and opened to the public for tours and educational programming in the late 1970s. However, it closed in 2004 due to damage from Hurricane Ivan.

現今的泉水房——下面相片中左側的白橡木原木建築——是 1970 年根據 1764 年的原始設計重建的。泉水房是一種建在天然泉水上的小型建築，用於防止雜物、動物和其他污染物進入水中，同時也保護水源並幫助食物保鮮。在現代冷凍技術之前，泉水房就像天然冰箱一樣，提供冷藏空間來保存肉類、乳製品、水果和蔬菜等易腐食品。

下面相片中右側的建築是製革廠，它最初是 1743 年的一座小木屋，位於穀物磨坊（現為盧肯巴赫磨坊）東側。在早期的伯利恆，皮革既是重要的材料，也是貴重的商品，因而製革廠的需求量大，也使其成為當地最賺錢的產業之一。在製革廠裏，工匠們會製作各種皮革製品，例如鞋子、靴子、馬鞍、馬具、防火桶和機械零件。莫諾卡西溪被用來作為清洗生皮的場所。美國獨立戰爭後，與英國的貿易中斷，皮革需求量顯著上升。摩拉維亞製革工人每年生產約 3000 張生皮，既供社區使用，也用於籌集資金支持新移民定居地的發展。

製革廠一直由摩拉維亞人經營到 1829 年為止，由於鞣料樹皮價格上漲，製革業於 1873 年停止。這棟建築隨後被改建為多戶型住宅，之後又被用在各種活動上。隨著時間的推移，建築物逐漸破敗，最終淪為一棟被汽車廢料場包圍的廉租房。之後製革廠於 1968 年至 1971 年間被整修，在 1970 年代末開放給大眾參觀並提供教育性的節目。然而，由於颶風伊凡造成的破壞，製革廠最終於 2004 年關閉。

The Luckenbach Mill, built by the Luckenbach family in 1869, is the third grist mill to stand on the Colonial Industrial Quarter site. It was constructed in just a few months on the foundations of the earlier 1751 grist mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1869. The mill ground grain into both coarse and fine flour. The current mill remained in operation until the late 1940s. Restored in 1983, the mill now serves as a multi-purpose space. The first and second floors are used for school groups and adult programs in what is called the Luckenbach Mill Learning Center, while the third floor houses the Historic Bethlehem Library and Archives.

盧肯巴赫磨坊是由盧肯巴赫家族於 1869 年建造的，是殖民地工業區內的第三座磨坊。它利用 1751 年建造但毀於 1869 年一場大火的早期磨坊的地基，在其上僅用了幾個月的時間就建成。這座磨坊將穀物磨成粗麵粉和細麵粉。目前的磨坊一直運作到 1940 年代末期。 1983 年修復後，磨坊現在被用作多功能空間。一樓和二樓是盧肯巴赫磨坊學習中心，用於舉辦學校團體活動和成人課程；三樓則是伯利恆歷史圖書館和檔案館。

Early Moravian dyers used natural materials such as plants, roots, nuts, and bark to create dyes in red, blue, yellow, brown, and various shades and combinations of these colors for linen, wool, cotton, and silk cloth and thread. The first dye house, built in 1746, was located along the grist mill tailrace. In 1752, a second dye house was added to the west side of the grist mill–fulling mill complex adjacent to the site. Today, the Dye House — an archaeological ruin with portions of its exterior walls and foundations remaining — stands next to the Luckenbach Mill. Constructed of limestone in 1771, it was a two-story building with a one-story section on the west side where the actual dyeing operations took place. By the 1830s, the dyeing operations had ended. In the 1930s, the building was partially dismantled, and its stone was reused for another project.

早期的摩拉維亞染工使用植物、根莖、堅果和樹皮等天然材料，為亞麻、羊毛、棉布和絲綢織物及線材製作紅色、藍色、黃色、棕色以及用這些顏色的色調所組合成的染料。第一座染坊建於 1746 年，位於磨坊的泄水道旁。 1752 年，在穀物磨坊建築群西側，毗鄰原址，增建了第二座染坊。如今，這座染坊——僅存部分外牆和地基的考古遺址——矗立在盧肯巴赫磨坊旁。它建於 1771 年，是一座兩層石灰岩建築，西側的一層部分是實際染色作業的場所。到了 1830 年代，染色作業的運作停止了。 1930 年代，這座建築部分被拆除，其石材被拿來用到其他方案上。

Tucked in the heart of Bethlehem, Moravian University is a private institution that proudly claims to be the sixth-oldest college in the United States. Its roots stretch back to 1742, when the Moravians opened separate schools for girls and boys — a remarkable commitment to education for the time.

In July 2024, Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The designation includes two of Moravian University’s historic buildings: the Second Single Brethren’s House and the Widows' House, both found along Church Street on the south side of campus. Today, the Second Single Brethren’s House has become a lively hub for music education and celebration, while the Widows' House offers housing for university faculty and staff. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the Widows’ House.

When I wandered past the campus, I had no idea about any of this history. I was simply drawn to the charm of the old stone buildings and started snapping photos of whatever caught my eye. Only later did I discover the deep stories behind them — proof that sometimes, the best finds happen when you’re just exploring.

摩拉維亞大學坐落於伯利恆市中心，是一所私立大學，並自豪地宣稱自己是美國第六古老的大學。其歷史可以追溯到 1742 年，當時摩拉維亞人為男女學生分別開設了學校——這在當時是對教育非凡的投入。

2024 年 7 月，摩拉維亞教會定居點－伯利恆，被列入聯合國教科文組織世界遺產名錄。指定地區包括摩拉維亞大學的兩座歷史建築：第二單身弟兄之家和寡婦之家，兩棟建築均位於校園南側的教堂街。如今，第二單身弟兄之家已成為充滿活力的音樂教育和慶祝活動中心，而寡婦之家則為大學教職員提供住宿。很遺憾，我沒有寡婦之家的照片。

當我漫步穿過校園時，我對這些歷史一無所知。我只是被古老石頭建築的魅力所吸引，開始隨手拍下映入眼簾的一切。直到後來，我才發現它們背後蘊藏著如此豐富的故事──這證明，有時候，最好的發現往往發生在漫無目的的探索之中。

In the 1730s, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf organized the Moravians into communal groups called “Choirs,” where members lived, worked, and worshipped according to age, gender, and marital status. The Single Brethren’s House (Choir), built in 1748, housed unmarried men devoted to faith, music, and skilled trades within a shared “General Economy.” Their days were filled with prayer, hymns, and community service. By the 1760s, the Choir system faded as family life became central. While the Moravians did not participate directly in the Revolutionary war, George Washington asked them to turn the Brethren’s House into a hospital for the Continental Army. Over 300 soldiers died here from December 1776 to April 1778 along with many Moravians who tended to them from “camp fever”. In 1815, Moravian Seminary for Girls took over the building. Today it serves as the offices and classrooms for the Music Department for the Moravian College.

1730 年代，津岑多夫伯爵將摩拉維亞教會組織成「唱詩班」的各個社群，成員們根據年齡、性別和婚姻狀況分成不同的「唱詩班」，在自個兒的社群中共同生活、工作和敬拜。建於 1748 年的單身弟兄之家(唱詩班)，讓未婚男子在這裡以信仰、音樂和手工技藝奉獻自己，並參與分享的「共同經濟」。他們的生活充滿了祈禱、讚美詩和社區服務。到了 1760 年代，隨著家庭生活日益重要，唱詩班制度便逐漸衰落。另外，雖然摩拉維亞弟兄會沒有直接參與獨立戰爭，但喬治華盛頓請求他們將弟兄會會所改建為大陸軍的醫院。從 1776 年 12 月到 1778 年 4 月，超過 300 名士兵在此去世，許多摩拉維亞弟兄會成員也因照顧他們而感染了「營地熱」。 1815 年，摩拉維亞女子神學院接管了這棟建築。如今，它是摩拉維亞學院音樂系的辦公室和教室。

Main Hall, an Italianate and Greek Revival–style building constructed in 1854, is a historic women’s residence hall on Moravian University’s Priscilla Payne Hurd (South) Campus. It houses more than 50 female students and offers both single and double rooms.

主樓是一座建於 1854 年的義大利式和希臘復興式建築，是莫拉維亞大學赫德（南）校區內一座歷史悠久的女生宿舍樓。它可容納 50 多名女生，並提供單人房和雙人房。