Lehigh County Heritage Center
The Lehigh County Historical Society is one of the largest historical societies in America. Our new 30,000 square foot headquarters museum The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is a state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility that houses one of the finest historical research libraries in the state of Pennsylvania. The Heritage Museum includes 6 galleries with more than 13,000 square feet of exhibits.
The Society administers 7 museum sites that date from Colonial America through the Industrial Revolution. Our collection encompasses more than 35,000 historical artifacts, 65,000 vintage photographs, and nearly 3-million documents.
History provides a sense of proportion and perspective in people's lives. A person's knowledge of history creates a more balanced and tolerant individual. Visit us today; together we are proving that history matters!
Impressive Trout Hall, a colonial stone mansion built in 1770 and Allentown's oldest home, was the summer estate of James Allen, son of Allentown's founder. Allen's British sympathies cost him his wealth, his freedom, and possibly his life. Beautifully furnished to recall an age of elegance.
For cars (our lot is not accessible to buses due to narrow alleys; please see below for bus directions): to our parking lot: From US-22 take PA 145 south 1.8 mi. to Walnut St. Turn left on Walnut .2 miles to 5 th St. Turn right on 5 th St. to the first alley on your left. Turn left into this alley and proceed one block to another alley. Stop to yield right-of-way before crossing this alley. After crossing the alley, you will see 3 small parking lots on either side of the alley; you may park in any of these. Street parking is also available.
For buses: to our bus drop-off area: From US-22 take PA 145 south 1.8 mi. to Walnut St. Turn left on Walnut .25 miles to the site at 432 W. Walnut St. You will see a bus pull-out on your right. Your vehicle may be left there while the tour takes place, but we do ask the following:
- Please shut down the engine as a courtesy to our neighbors.
- Please remain with your vehicle in case it needs to be moved for another group to drop off. If you are asked to move your vehicle, you may usually find street parking by proceeding down Walnut to 4th St. Turn right on 4th to Martin Luther King. Street parking can usually be found on King.
The region's only authentically complete Pennsylvania-German farm house, built in 1756, resembles its medieval ancestors and gives a captivating glimpse of the area's farm history. Step back into the vanished world of rural childhood. This charming 1893 one-room school was the county's last when it closed long ago, but it remains ready for the next class, with all its contents intact.
A mill has stood here on the banks of the Cedar Creek since colonial times. Haines Mill still operates for demonstrations today, offering a trip into the world of the early technology that supported farm life.
What looks like a medieval stone castle is actually a huge coal-burning iron furnace built in 1868. Here was produced the iron that helped transform America from a nation of farms into an industrial giant. You can explore many fascinating buildings set in a wooded park perfect for picnics and outings.
Feel the power of the industrial revolution in the shadow of the giant Schoefer kilns erected here in 1893 to produce the cement so vital for a young America. Learn about a fascinating industry and the people that made it happen, all in a lovely parklike setting.
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