{"id":277614,"date":"2026-09-02T21:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T21:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/277614\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T21:52:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T21:52:58","slug":"interior-department-celebrates-selection-of-pennsylvanias-historic-moravian-bethlehem-district-to-unesco-world-heritage-list-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/277614\/","title":{"rendered":"Interior Department Celebrates Selection of Pennsylvania\u2019s Historic Moravian Bethlehem District to UNESCO World Heritage List"},"content":{"rendered":"

Date: Friday, July 26, 2024
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today applauded the selection of the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization\u2019s (UNESCO) World Heritage List<\/a>. The list highlights cultural and natural heritage sites around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe United States is deeply honored to be included in UNESCO\u2019s World Heritage List with the listing of the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District where visitors from around the world are able to learn about the rich history of Moravian settlements, their cultural tradition and spiritual ideals,\u201d said Secretary Haaland. \u201cThis designation is a recognition of the incredible work of the National Park Service and its local partners to preserve an important part of American \u2013 and world \u2013 history.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

This designation is UNESCO\u2019s 26th \u2013 and the first transnational World Heritage listing \u2013 in the United States. In addition to the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District, the listing includes the historic settlements of Herrnhut, founded in 1722 in Germany, and Gracehill, established in 1759 in Northern Ireland. The three areas join as an extension of the Moravian settlement of Christiansfeld in Denmark, founded in 1773, which was added to the World Heritage List in 2015, to form a single World Heritage listing for Moravian Church Settlements. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis well-deserved designation demonstrates the lasting, global influence of the Moravian Church and the preservation of some of America\u2019s most treasured landmarks that support and illustrate our heritage and history,\u201d said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Historic Moravian Bethlehem District is also a national historic landmark. Established in 1741 as a planned community, it was the religious and administrative center of Moravian activities in North America. Similar to the other three settlements, many of its buildings still serve their original purpose. In 2022, Secretary Haaland authorized the National Park Service (NPS) to develop a nomination of Moravian Church Settlements for World Heritage List consideration. \u00a0<\/p>\n

NPS supported this effort with the full cooperation of\u202fproperty owners, the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area Moravians and\u202fMoravian University.\u202fNPS advised the Bethlehem World Heritage Commission and guided them through the technical requirements of the nomination process as well as communicated with the governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark on the development of the nomination.\u202f\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

The NPS is\u202fthe principal U.S. government agency responsible for implementing the\u202fWorld Heritage\u202fConvention\u202fin cooperation with\u202fthe Department of State. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

The NPS manages all or part of 19 of the 26 U.S. sites. Inclusion of a site in the World Heritage List does not affect U.S. sovereignty or management of the sites. More information about the sites and the World Heritage nomination process is available on NPS.gov.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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