National Museum of Industrial History

This museum exhibits examples of a range of activities and machinery representing the industrial age beginning in the late 18th century. Some of the items displayed are on loan via an association with the Smithsonian. It is still a work in progress to some extent, but is off to a good start right here in the midst of the former Bethlehem Steel complex. The building was formerly an electrical repair shop for the mill.

In addition to the major heavy machinery, there are exhibits showing examples of manufacturing equipment that made products for consumers. Silk was once a major product from the Lehigh Valley area, at one time there were as many as 85 textile mills just in the city of Allentown.

B&W shots at the bottom of this gallery were taken with Ye Olde Photographer's early 1950s vintage Voigtländer Perkeo II folding camera. when he visited in October 2023.