Susan Ellis, executive director of the Moravian Historical Society, highlighted recent preservation funding, programming achievements and upcoming events during a presentation to Nazareth Borough Council on Monday March 2.
The society was awarded a $62,500 Keystone Preservation Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to support restoration of the oldest surviving Moravian structure in North America. The grant requires a 50/50 match. To date, $20,000 has been secured through a Northampton County Grow NORCO grant and $19,350 from individual donors. Fundraising efforts are ongoing to raise the remaining $18,150.
The preservation project will focus on replacing the lowest level of deteriorating logs and repairing other compromised logs. New logs will be hand-hewn to match the originals. The project also includes regrading the landscape around the cottage to redirect water runoff and prevent future damage. An archaeologist will monitor all excavation work…