{"id":34134,"date":"2025-02-19T10:06:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T15:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bapl.org\/?page_id=34134"},"modified":"2025-06-02T11:57:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T15:57:02","slug":"local-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bapl.org\/local-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Local History at BAPL"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Bethlehem Room: Local History Collection & Archives<\/h2>\n

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An invaluable resource for researchers and history enthusiasts, the Bethlehem Room at the Main Library houses non-circulating materials, including books, journals, directories, clippings, photographs, and maps. Special collections include Records of the Greater Bethlehem Area Council of Churches<\/em> (1956-2005) and the Papers and Artwork of Christian Friedrich Hellener <\/em>dating back to the 19th century. Visit the Main Library during regular hours to explore these materials in person. You may make a reservation to use the Bethlehem Room here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u25b6 Bethlehem Room Information Brochure<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b6\u00a0Finding Aids for Archival Collections<\/a><\/p>\n

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[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=”Have materials of local historical interest?” add_button=”right” btn_title=”Agreement” css=”” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bapl.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F11%2FBAPLBookDonationAgreement.pdf”]If you have items of local historical interest, please see the: Donation Agreement Form for Local History Materials here.[\/vc_cta][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Historical Timelines & Documents<\/h2>\n

\u25b6 Bethlehem History Timeline<\/a> (1741\u2013present)<\/p>\n

\u25b6 First Annual Message of Archibald Johnston<\/a> (1918 Mayoral Address)<\/p>\n

\u25b6 WWII Article Index<\/a> \u2013 Local news extracts on WWII personnel from the Bethlehem Globe-Times<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”style-1″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Newspaper Archives<\/h2>\n

\u25b6 Local Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> (including obituaries)<\/p>\n

\u25b6 Express-Times Archives<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b6 Morning Call Archives<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”style-1″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Special Collections\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

\u25b6 Black Bethlehem Project<\/a> \u2013 Oral history collection highlighting the Black experience in Bethlehem, PA<\/p>\n

\u25b6 House Research Guide<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 How-to guide on researching a home\u2019s ownership history<\/p>\n

\u25b6 Additional Digital Collections housed at BAPL<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”style-1″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\"\"Historical Maps<\/h2>\n

Explore historical maps of Bethlehem:<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1873 Map of Bethlehem<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b6 1886 Map of Bethlehem<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b6 1929 Map of Bethlehem<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b6 Lehigh Valley Historical Maps Consortium<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”style-1″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Historical Books & Magazines<\/h2>\n

\u25b6 Bethlehem Steel \/ Bethlehem Booster<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Employee magazine from Bethlehem Steel Company<\/p>\n