Bethlehem Tannery Awarded Federal Restoration Grant

The National Park Service has provided $669,300 to restore the historic 1761 industrial building.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in National Parks

Bethlehem Tannery Awarded Federal Restoration Grant

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The National Park Service awarded $669,300 for the restoration of Bethlehem's 1761 Tannery. This federal grant will support a three-year project to preserve the site, which has been closed to the public for 22 years.

Why it matters

The funding protects the only surviving 18th-century Moravian industrial building in the city, helping to preserve historic resources linked to America's founding.

The preservation project is scheduled to last three years. The funding covers the restoration of stone walls and the removal of invasive Japanese knotweed from the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

The players

National Park Service

This federal agency manages national parks and oversees the disbursement of grants for the preservation of historic sites.

Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

This organization administers the federal grant to support the restoration and management of the historic site.

The details

The tannery, which has been shuttered due to water infiltration damage, serves as a key site within the local UNESCO World Heritage area. The project involves stabilizing historic stone walls and implementing a mitigation plan for invasive plant species through native vegetation.

The tannery was originally constructed in 1761.
The building ceased public operations in 2004.
The preservation project is set for the years 2026-2029.

Travel Outlook

The restoration of this historic industrial site reflects broader efforts to protect cultural heritage locations within UNESCO-designated zones. This project follows the preservation standards necessitated by the site's status as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area.

Residents should anticipate ongoing construction in the Colonial Industrial Quarter through 2029. The site remains closed to the public until the final phase of electrical and climate control upgrades is completed.

The takeaway

The restoration of this site is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of a rare 18th-century industrial building. Visitors planning trips to the area should check for updates on the Colonial Industrial Quarter to see when the site will become accessible again.