Coopersburg Historical Society

Description:

Visitors to the Coopersburg Historical Society Museum will have the opportunity to learn about the history and founding of our town from it’s 18th century origin as a stopping point on the Bethlehem-Philadelphia road to the present time.

 

During that time period it experienced growth and prosperity with diverse businesses that included the Seven Stars and Barron House Hotels, Gabriel Hosiery Mill, and most notably the Cooper cattle business.

 

T.S. Cooper was well known for his fine quality imported Jersey cattle. His Decoration Day (Memorial Day) cattle sale was the biggest event of the year for Coopersburg from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. Buyers came from all over the eastern United States and even Texas, staying in the Coopersburg hotels or in their own private railroad cars.

 

Our museum includes artifacts from the cattle business as well as items relating to other businesses in town along with photos of many of these businesses.

 

After touring the museum our guests are welcome to tour our town on their own to view the buildings in our historic district. These buildings include our Town Hall, 19th century homes and churches. We are undergoing a streetscape renewal program that is completed on Station Avenue and in process on Main Street.

 

A guided tour of the museum is provided. The tour meets at Town Hall where visitors can see the outside of the building as well as the inside public area. Other historic buildings are privately owned and not open to visitors.

Public restroom: only available while visitors are at museum.

Other: We have exhibit space on the first floor but many of our displays are on the second floor. There are two flights of stairs up to that space. No Elevator. Parking is available on the State Street side of Town Hall.