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Northampton County News

New installation tells Lehigh Valley history from African American viewpoint

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Julian Abraham
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LehighValleyNews.com
Opening day at the "African Americans in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley" banner project in Easton.

EASTON, Pa. — A new historical art installation that tells the Lehigh Valley's history from an African American viewpoint went up Friday in the Northampton County Courthouse rotunda.

The "African Americans in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley" banner project was put together by the Esther M. LeeHeritage Center, named after the longtime president of the Bethlehem NAACP chapter.

The banners each feature a different aspect of the Lehigh Valley's history, as told through a lens of African American history from the 1860s to present.

"So we're not about making headlines. It's about work, and achieving, and putting us all together."
Esther M. Lee

Examples include the founding of the Elks Club, Abraham Lane and the legacy of African American workers in the Lehigh Valley's industrial boom.

Versions of the banner displays are available to schools and libraries, and can be obtained by contacting the Esther M. Lee African American Heritage Center.

Lee, who was born in Bethlehem in 1933, was at the ceremony to deliver remarks.

"These are stories that ought to be told, about how we as people have risen from the dreads," she said. "I do believe that."

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Julian Abraham
/
LehighValleyNews.com
Esther Lee speaking at the unveiling of the banner project.

'Putting us all together'

Lee said she had wanted to put something together like the exhibit for a long time, but she wasn't sure what form it would take.

"I thought one time, maybe I was going to write a book. But I was, like, 'Yeah that takes too much time,'" she said with a laugh.

"Anyone who knows me, knows anxious. I got to get things done. Gotta get them done now. And we have to get them done now, because we don't know about tomorrow."

During her speech, Lee emphasized her hope for opportunities for the next generation. She mentioned that she had a nephew in the audience.

"I'm on my way out," she said. "You know, 91 is not just another day. I'm not here to stay. But I want people in this community to start to do something about what is available for our young people.

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Julian Abraham
/
LehighValleyNews.com
Some of the banners on display in the Northampton County Courthouse rotunda.

"So we're not about making headlines. It's about work and achieving and putting us all together."

After the ceremony, Lee said she's happy to see the installation come to life.

"I feel accomplished," she said. "We achieved the goal, you know, to get the information to the public."

She said she likes the location, and that it's a good, high-visibility spot for people to read the stories.

'We're getting there'

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure delivered remarks as well, praising the project.

"As we move toward the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and as we head toward Black History Month, I think it's important that we open up the courthouse's rotunda to this important display of our African American Heritage," McClure said.

"Which I believe is an unreported heritage which makes us all so much stronger."

Lamont McClure in Easton, Jan. 17, 2025.
Julian Abraham
/
LehighValleyNews.com
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure delivering remarks.

Still, he acknowledged there's progress to be made for racial equity in the Lehigh Valley.

"Although we're not to where we need to be, we're getting there," he said. "And what I believe this project shows is that progress on equity has been made."

An online version of the stories featured on the banners is available on the Esther M. Lee African American Heritage Center's website.