The Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1857. Its mission is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the rich culture of the Moravians. It is the third oldest historical society in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Moravian Historical Society is located in the 1740-1743 Whitefield House in downtown Nazareth.
The Moravian Historical Society collects objects relating to Moravian history, provides research assistance, publishes, and offers lectures, programs, events, and activities for all ages and levels of interest.
It has EIN 24-6025569 as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity; in 2025 it claimed total revenue of $249,821 and total assets of $3,714,428.
The Moravian Historical Society is located on a three-acre historic site in Nazareth, PA. It maintains two historic buildings, the 1740-1743 Whitefield House and the 1740 Gray Cottage, the oldest surviving Moravian structure in North America.
In 1740, a Moravian group from Savannah, Georgia was invited by British cleric George Whitefield to build a school on his 5000-acre Nazareth tract, which he had purchased from William Allen that same year.
On May 7, 1740, Moravians arrived on the Nazareth tract, and began work on the Stone House. Doctrinal differences between Whitefield and the Moravians forced the Moravians to abandon the project. In need of a place to settle, the Moravians purchased 500 acres of land from the prominent Pennsylvanian William Allen. On this tract, Moravians began building a new settlement, which would be named Bethlehem. They also purchased the 5,000-acre Nazareth tract from Whitefield. They soon returned and the large Stone House was completed in 1743.
The town of Nazareth was laid out in 1771 several blocks to the west. The First House was demolished in 1864, but the Whitefield House and Gray Cottage still stand. The buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 1980.
Construction on the Whitefield House started in 1740 and completed in 1743. It was originally used to house 33 married couples arriving from England. Through the years, the Whitefield House operated as a place of worship, girlsâ boarding school, nursery, the Moravian Theological Seminary, and apartments for furloughed missionaries. Today, the building houses the Museum of the Moravian Historical Society as well as administrative offices, and a Museum shop. The museum runs a series of permanent and changing exhibitions about the history and culture of the Moravians and their contributions to history.
The Gray Cottage was constructed in October 1740 by the Moravians as protection from the harsh winter weather ahead. It is an oak log structure, and was originally called the âÂÂOld Block Houseâ from the German word Block, meaning âÂÂlog.â From 1743 to 1745, the building was used as a boysâ school. It has also been used as a girlsâ school, a home for widows, a nursery, and a private residence. It is the oldest surviving Moravian building in North America.
Constructed in June 1740, the First House sheltered Moravians during the construction of the Whitefield House. It was approximately 30â wide by 20â deep, and stood two and one half stories tall. It was demolished in 1864, but the foundation was discovered by archaeologists in September 2014 in the area between the Whitefield House and the Gray Cottage. Several artifacts including redware pottery and a brass horse bell were also discovered. A small stone marker stands on this site.
The Moravian Historical Society has placed several markers at locations of American Moravian historical significance:
The Whitefield House Museum's collection contains over 20,000 Moravian objects, which are featured in permanent and changing exhibits. Highlights from the collections include:
The museum also contains a large collection of Moravian mission artifacts from six continents, as well as various textiles, household goods, and Native American artifacts.
The entire collection is available to researchers by appointment.
The museum operates from 1-4 pm, seven days a week except for major holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
The Moravian Historical Society publishes various guides and periodicals, including:
The Moravian Historical Society offers a variety of events for all ages and interest levels. Historic Nazareth Walking Tours meet at the Whitefield House every second Saturday, and feature a tour guide in historic Moravian dress. The museum's Free Summer Sundays offer families a free museum tour as well as historic youth crafts and games. Monthly lecture and music programs allows visitors to explore Moravian and local history through lectures, music, screenings, and various family activities.
For children, the Moravian Historical Society holds an annual Hands-On History summer camp. The week-long camp allows campers to be immersed in history as they engaged in nature, archaeology, and art-based activities inspired by objects from our world-renowned collection. The Moravian Historical Society also holds an annual Arts & Crafts Festival featuring more than 100 craft vendors as well as food and free kidsâ activities.
The Moravian Historical Society hosts the annual Share the Heritage Auction and Dinner to raise funds that support for its mission and its many activities and events.
Since 1858, the Moravian Historical Society has hosted an annual meeting, lecture, and reception to present the state of the society and to give a lecture on an aspect of Moravian history. Each year features a keynote speaker, as follows: