BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new holiday exhibition features tropical decorated trees as seen in Hawaii mixed with Southern Christmas charm.
Christmas trees — themed and adorned with trimmings identified with 20 U.S. cities — are part of the "Trees of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites" on display until Jan. 12.
The self-guided tour makes stops at three Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) locations: the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, the Single Sisters’ House and the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts.
Cities featured
The tree displays were decorated by the volunteer members of the Bethlehem Garden Club, a group of about 200 plant enthusiasts.
More than 20 corporate sponsors also donated to the exhibition, including the Bealer-Greene Christmas Endowment.
The trees feature trimmings and ornaments reflecting common landmarks and sights found in U.S. cities.
For example, the Las Vegas version is decked with blackjacks and playing cards, while the Big Apple evergreen is adorned with Empire State Building and yellow taxi ornaments.
"Our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated Bethlehem Garden Club volunteers who generously give their time and talents each year to decorate 'Trees of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites,'" said LoriAnn Wukitsch, president and CEO of HBMS.
“Their creativity brings warmth and joy to the holiday season, making the annual tradition special for our community.”LoriAnn Wukitsch, Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites
As part of the walking tour, participants can partake in a scavenger hunt for ornaments highlighting World Heritage Sites and National Historic Landmarks.
In July, the city’s historic Moravian Church settlement was designated a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
In addition, museum-goers can scan the QR codes located next to each tree for special offers and messages from the tree sponsors.
Honolulu, Las Vegas, Charleston
Trees from the following cities are on display at the Moravian Museum (66 W. Church St.):
- Bethlehem, sponsored by Alloy 5
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, sponsored by Sterling Painting
- Philadelphia, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Printing, Global Expeditions
- Orlando, Florida, sponsored by A Channel of Peace
- Aspen, Colorado, sponsored by Le Macaron French Pastries Bethlehem
- Williamsburg, Virginia, Tiller Private Wealth
At the Single Sisters’ House (50 W. Church St.):
- Nashville, Tennessee, sponsored by Godfrey Daniels
- San Antonio, Texas, sponsored by Kefi Tours
- Honolulu, Hawaii, sponsored by JuxtaHub
- Washington, D.C., sponsored by Victory House of Lehigh Valley
Lastly, at the Kemerer Museum (427 N. New St.) are the following displays:
- New York City, sponsored by SERVPRO
- Atlantic City, New Jersey, sponsored by Unity Bank, Business Women Networking Involving Charity and Education (BW NICE), The Red Shoe Monologues
- Hershey, sponsored by Apollo Grill
- New Orleans, Louisiana, by Lara Bly Designs
- Pittsburgh, by the SouthSide Arts District
- Boston, Massachusetts. sponsored by Main Street Real Estate Group
- San Francisco, California, sponsored by Roasted and Country Club Brewing
- Las Vegas, Nevada, sponsored by American Hairlines
- Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by Lucinda and Walt Dealtrey
- Atlanta, Georgia, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hair Showcase
Tickets for the tours are on sale now at historicbethlehem.org.
