The Moravian Historical Society in the Morning Call Newspaper, 1984 to today

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PLANS FOR WHITEFIELD MUSEUM TO BE DETAILED AT OPEN HOUSE

Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Author: The Morning Call

Copyright Morning Call Apr 26, 1984

Beth Pearce, museum consultant for the Moravian Historical Society, will present her plans for the Whitefield House Museum for the coming year during the open house at 3 p.m. Sunday in the museum on W. Center Street, Nazareth.

Miss Pearce, whose credits include a bachelor of arts degree in American studies from Salem College, Winston-Salem, N.C., and experience in archives work, accession systems, archaeological digs and exhibit preparation, will talk about her work in developing a conservation program and her efforts to secure a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. An important part of the conservation program is a survey of art on paper, a concern that began inadvertently in the last two years. It was occasioned by a water leak in the museum that caused damage to some of the watercolor paintings.

Other items to be surveyed are old maps, lithographs and engravings of scenes in Europe and America, particularly places in Nazareth and Bethlehem. Two watercolors that presently require attention date back to the 1850s. One is thought to be a mourning scene, done as a remembrance for the family on a funeral occasion. Since the tombstones in Moravian cemeteries are all small, rectangular white stones, similar for all members, carrying out the Moravian belief that all are equal in God's sight in life and death, artists would paint an ornate scene in memory of the departed love one as a keepsake for the family. The other watercolor depicts a scene from Surinam, part of the Moravian Church work in South America.

The registration process, begun last year by Karie Diethorn, a researcher from the University of Delaware, is almost complete. Miss Pearce is hopeful that society members as well as people from the community will help with that aspect of museum work. Volunteers also are needed for exhibit work, housekeeping and conservation efforts, and work on environmental controls. It is hoped that a program for training guides can be developed. Persons attending the open house can speak to Miss Pearce about their interests.

The museum remains open by appointment. Contact the Rev. Ruben Bollmann at 759-7705. Regular hours will be published after the registration is completed.

Following Miss Pearce's presentation, which is open to the public, refreshments will be served.

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