Moravian Blacksmith Shop

A Brief History: The Moravian Blacksmith Shop is located at 1 Ohio Road in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Smithy was built in 1750, and a second floor was added in 1761. It was utilized as an active blacksmith shop and stood until the early 20th century. At that time, it was torn down and turned into brownstone housing which was also eventually demolished. In 2004, The Smithy was rebuilt using limestone from a local barn that was being dismantled that had also been built in the 1700s. It was rebuilt on the original foundation of the Smithy and the original vaulted cistern remains. Today, it is listed as a historic site owned and operated by the Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites where it is used for tours and demonstrations of the tools and trade of 1700s blacksmiths. 

Haunted History: Given Bethlehem, PA’s penchant for haunted locales such as The Moravian Bookstore and Bethlehem Hotel, it should not come as a surprise that a location with such a rich history would also fall under that category. Whether it’s the site itself or the materials used to rebuild it that holds the key for the activity there is anybody’s guess. However, there are stories of unexplained sounds and movements at the site. It is also known that some of the city’s earliest blacksmiths are buried at the nearby God’s Acre Cemetery, so who’s to say that those workers are not returning to the location where they spent so many hours toiling over the fire and the anvil?