The Lehigh Valley has a rich musical history dating back to the 18th century. Marvel at the instruments, compositions, and performances created by craftspeople and musicians. Explore these partners:
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Both the Kemerer and Moravian Museums house impressive instruments. The Kemerer Museum has multiple pianos, including one with mother of pearl keys. The Moravian Museum explains the history of music in early Bethlehem and houses one of seven serpents, a predecessor to the tuba, in the country.
Moravian Historical Society
Music has always been important to the Moravians and they brought this love to America. The Moravian Historical Society has over 200 musical instruments and musical accessories in its collection dating from the early 18th century to mid-20th century. Some of the treasures in the Whitefield House Museum include:
- The first violin known to have been made in America. Made by John Antes in 1759.
- The oldest extant American-made piano.
- One of the nation’s first pipe organs, the 1776 Tannenberg organ.
- The oldest-known American clavichord by David Tannenberg (1761).
- A rare serpent instrument made of wood and leather, a predecessor to the tuba.
Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society
A portion of the Sigal Museum‘s permanent exhibition presents the County’s diverse musical heritage. Explore the singing, drumming, and flute music of the Lenape. The Moravians of Bethlehem and Nazareth, likely the most musically sophisticated of the colonies, composed and performed challenging arrangements. Military musicians played for entertainment, during battle, and to signal camp calls. Marching bands became popular throughout the county. Black religious and folk songs became gospels hymns and blues and jazz by the 1930s. Immigration, fueled by industry, brought a wave of musical traditions from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Latin America. Several notable popstars from the 50s and 60s tapped into the new rock’n’roll sound. Today, Musikfest, a vibrant Bethlehem gathering, epitomizes the rich diversity of music continuing to penetrate Northampton County. The museum is proud to partner closely with C.F. Martin Guitar and Co. (established in 1833) to present their history, tools, and guitars as a part of the permanent exhibition.
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
The Krausses of Kraussdale and Allentown were an inventive family, creating delicate wind instruments through heavy farm equipment. Some of their organs still grace local churches. At Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, learn about this family and see their products, including an organ and rare surviving piano from the early-1800s.
