Old Bethlem Historical Society

Old Bethlem Historical Society was established in 1968 to preserve

and protect Bethlehem's historical sites and pertinent information.

The Old Bethlem Museum was established in 1976 when the society bought the former town office building and fire department from the Town.  Totally refurbished in 1987, the museum houses a wonderful selection of costumes, tools, and articles used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Society's District #1 Schoolhouse, located next to Memorial Hall, was built circa 1850 and has been restored as a living museum. Visitors may sit at authentic period desks and learn about student life in the late 1800s.  They may see where student Flossie Box wrote her name on a wall and future philanthropist Argall Hull etched his name into a windowpane!

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 America 250 ~ Christmas Town

On July 4, 2026, Bethlehem will join cities and towns across the country to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday.  A year of celebration has begun and planning continues.  We began on April 18, 2025, with "Two Lights for Tomorrow" commemorating the 250th anniversary of the famous April 18, 1775 ride of Paul Revere.  Our 7-part educational Democracy Speaker Series, that began in September 2025 and finished in June 2026, served as a tutorial on the foundations of our country.

• Find the July 4 schedule of events in the Community section of our town website under America 250.
  
• The Bethlehem America 250 Committee is offering for sale a commemorative coin cast for the celebration.  One side bears the America 250 Christmas Town logo, the other, an image based on Bethlehem's town seal.
• Please note that the photo show deadline has been changed to June 30.  The flyer with photo show information may be found in the Community section of our town website under America 250.

As the sponsor of "America 250 - Christmas Town", Old Bethlem encourages everyone to attend Bethlehem's July 4 celebration.  Let's make this a truly memorable, enriching experience!

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Old Bethlem Historical Society, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, visitors, and supporters.