Collections

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Artifacts

The Moravian Historical Society owns an extensive collection of artifacts, books, photographs, ephemera, and periodicals, all on the subject of the Moravian Church in America and throughout the world. Because the Moravians established self-sufficient communities, including Nazareth and Bethlehem, many of the items concern the Moravian lifestyle, as well as the faith.

The items in the collection range from oil paintings by a Moravian artist, to furniture, textiles, and household items made by local artisans, to contemporary and rare books, to items brought back to America by missionaries. Highlights of the collection include:

• 23 oil paintings by John Valentine Haidt (1700-1780), the first artist in Colonial America to portray chiefly religious topics.
• A pipe organ made in 1776 by David Tannenberg, the most important organ-builder in 18th century America.
• The earliest-known violin made in the American Colonies.
• A tile stove made prior to 1775.
• The largest collection of mission artifacts in any Moravian institution, with examples from Moravian work on six continents.
• Rare first editions of books written by John Amos Comenius, the "Father of Modern Education."

Our Collection Online

Bethlehem Digital Historic Project's online art.

Collections Policy

Based on our mission statement the Moravian Historical Society acquires only those objects or documents which contribute to an understanding of Moravian Church history and its communities, customs, activities, events, institutions, and personalities.

Objects which have no proven connection with the history of the Moravian church shall not be accepted. An exception may be made if an object is relevant to local history, but not necessarily Moravian history.

For more on what we collect, please see our Collections Policy (PDF) * .

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