AP Students Explore Early Bethlehem's Black History Through New Walking Tour

On Friday, October 4th, our AP African American Studies students embarked on a powerful new walking tour exploring the lives of Black individuals in early Bethlehem, organized by the Moravian Church and led by dedicated volunteers. Guided by Dr. Scott Gordon, an English professor at Lehigh and scholar of early America, our students delved into the complex history of the Moravian community. They learned about the unique tension in which enslaved African Americans experienced spiritual equality while living and working alongside white and Indigenous people, yet still faced the harsh realities of lacking physical freedom.

The tour brought to life the stories of those who lived within the Moravian community, stopping at significant places like God's Acre, the Sun Inn, and the Single Sisters' House. It was an enlightening experience that illuminated the rich and nuanced history of the approximately fifty enslaved individuals who were a part of the Moravian Church community in the 18th century—fostering a deeper understanding of both the struggles and the resilience of early Black residents of Bethlehem.