City of Bethlehem Celebration Fund
The City of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, celebrated their 275th Anniversary in 2016. To recognize this milestone, the City of Bethlehem hosted two anniversary events, publishing a book, and leaving a legacy for future generations.
This Fund at LVCF safely held gifts until the celebration took place. LVCF is a 501(c)(3) public charity, so your gift is tax deductible. LVCF accepts many different types of gifts such as checks, credit card payments, appreciated securities and many others. Please contact LVCF with any questions about whether the Foundation can accept your gift type.
Gifts in the form of a check can be made payable to the City of Bethlehem Celebration Fund and mail to Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, 840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101. Gifts can also be made via credit card by clicking the link below.
Make a Gift to the City of Bethlehem Celebration Fund
About the 275th Anniversary Celebration
The Anniversary Gala
The Gala was held at the historic Hotel Bethlehem on April 16, 2016. This formal event is the primary fundraiser for the 275th Anniversary Celebrations.
The 275th Anniversary Community Celebration
The Celebration was held on the SteelStacks Campus on June 25, 2016. This included Bethlehem-based businesses, non-profits, and other organizations displaying who they are and what they do to contribute to the fabric of this community.
The centerpiece of this celebration was the prestigious Bethlehem Hall of Fame Ceremony, which honored individuals who have received national recognition in the fields of journalism, the arts, armed services, business or sports.
The Bethlehem History Book Volume III
In celebration of the Bicentennial of our Nation in 1976, the Bethlehem Chamber published Volume II called The Golden Years, spanning the time period from 1841 to 1920. Now in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Bethlehem, West Bethlehem and South Bethlehem, and the 275th Anniversary of the founding of our City, Volume III covers the period between 1920 and 2015, a time of incredible development and change.
The Legacy Gift
As part of the celebration of our City’s 275th Anniversary, the Committee has agreed that the City should pay homage to the brave Revolutionary War soldiers who were buried on the hill near Route 378 and First Avenue. Many of them were treated at the Brethren House which served as a Revolutionary War military hospital in our City. Nearly all of the remains can still be found on the hillside but many of the records which could identify their names and families have been lost. Our goal is to erect a statue near Conestoga Avenue to better commemorate our fallen heroes.
Our Legacy Project will not replace the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located on First Avenue. Rather, it will give our citizens and visitors a more accessible and visible place to take a moment to honor those fallen soldiers who fought for the rights we still enjoy today.
As we honor our illustrious past we are looking to enhance the future with these festivities and gifts.
About the City of Bethlehem Celebration Fund
This Fund was originally established in 1993 at the conclusion of Bethlehem’s 250th anniversary celebration. The Fund promotes the spirit of community by providing support to the City of Bethlehem’s 275th and 300th anniversary celebrations.