Saucon Valley History Day is an annual celebration of the unique heritage of Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township–and the eighth annual History Day is this Saturday, May 2 from 9 to 3 p.m. at three different locations: the Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse, the Heller Homestead and the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill.
Best of all, almost all of the history day activities that are scheduled are free, fun and family-friendly.
Here are the highlights of the day, broken down according to the three locations where events will be held:
Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse (Lower Saucon Township Historical Society)
The Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse on Countryside Lane will be the setting for the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society’s Saucon Valley History Day celebration Saturday.
- WHERE: 4216 Countryside Lane, Hellertown
- TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- WHAT’S HAPPENING: Schoolhouse tours, a Maypole dance, bluebird house-making with Tony Chavar, quill pen writing, an old-fashioned cake walk at 2 p.m. (featuring cakes donated by Tombler’s Home Bakery, Aunt Jack’s Baking and Rolling Pin Pastries), an old-time toys demonstration (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), a live native animals presentation by the Wildlands Conservancy (1 to 2 p.m.)*, musical entertainment by John Samuels and Amy Forsyth, Colonial crafts demonstrations and refreshments available for purchase. *Wildlands Conservancy staff will be bringing mammals, reptiles, insects and amphibians for guests to interact with and learn about.
The Heller-Wagner Grist Mill is at 150 W. Walnut St., Hellertown.
Heller-Wagner Grist Mill (Hellertown Historical Society)
- WHERE: 150 W. Walnut St., Hellertown
- TIME: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- WHAT’S HAPPENING: Tours of the grist mill museum and barn, a live musical performance by the Lehigh Valley Idols (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), a yard sale, the 17th Airborne World War II Speakers Series at 1 p.m., children’s activities, a scavenger hunt, the Hellertown Area Library’s World War II display (9 a.m. to noon), food/beverages available for purchase, and more.
Heller Homestead (Saucon Valley Conservancy)
The Heller Homestead is located at 1890 Friedensville Road, Bethlehem.
- WHERE: 1890 Friedensville Road, Bethlehem
- TIME: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- WHAT’S HAPPENING: Heller Homestead Museum tours, a plant sale, a military encampment by the 153rd PA Regiment with a living history demonstration and food/beverages available for purchase. There will be volunteer infantry firing demonstrations at 10 a.m., 11:30 am., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
