National Museum of Industrial History acquires archival collection from former Bethlehem Steel employee

The National Museum of Industrial History has acquired a collection of archival materials from the late Frank Fabian, a former Bethlehem Steel draftsman and local historian, and his wife Bernice.

Frank Fabian worked for Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 30 years, primarily in the blast furnace and coke oven divisions, while developing an appreciation for local history. He collected materials related to the history of Bethlehem, surrounding areas, and the Bethlehem Steel Plant, with particular expertise on Shimersville.

Shimersville was an 18th and 19th-century mill village located just east of South Bethlehem that harnessed power from the Saucon Creek as it emptied into the Lehigh River. The Bethlehem Steel Corporation purchased the village’s land holdings and assets in 1920 to expand plant operations.

“These materials represent an important time of growth in the history of the Bethlehem Plant, and we are indebted to Mr. Fabian and his family for preserving and sharing them to enhance the knowledge of future generations,” said Andria Zaia, president and CEO at the National Museum of Industrial History.

The Frank & Bernice Fabian Collection includes photographs of Bethlehem Steel employees and projects, newspaper clippings and articles, books, and engineering drawings.

“The Fabian Family is very grateful to the National Museum of Industrial History for this wonderful honor to our parents,” Frank and Bernice’s family stated.

The archival materials will be preserved in the museum’s archives as a resource for researchers and displayed in future exhibitions. A selection will be shown during the Steel Weekend event at the museum on Oct. 11 and 12. The Fabian family also donated materials to the Lower Saucon Historical Society.

Generative AI was used to organize and structure information for this story, based on data provided by the National Museum of Industrial History. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.

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