Exciting news! We can confirm that the Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pa. will host a pop-up (temporary) exhibit in downtown Bethlehem on the weekends that lie between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This possibility was first hinted in last month’s newsletter. Even better news: Temporary use of the space is being donated by the building’s owner, Lou Pektor and Rubel Street II LP by Pektor Holdings I GP DE LLC.
The exhibit will be housed in the former Woolworth Building, located at 555 Main Street in Bethlehem. Thus far, participating organizations include the Bethlehem Area School District, Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites, the CWRT of Eastern Pa., the GAR Museum of Philadelphia, the City of Bethlehem, and the National Museum of Industrial History (located in Bethlehem).
Our thanks to CWRT Jack Stanley, who first suggested a Civil War pop-up museum as a way to increase awareness of, and membership in, our CWRT by leveraging idle space in downtown Bethlehem—an area that is heavily visited each weekend between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
The mini-museum will be open each week, Friday to Sunday, beginning on Friday, November 28 and running through Sunday, December 28. Once visiting hours are finalized, we’ll be back in touch to share this information plus any new wrinkles that might “pop up” between now and then.
President Barry Arnold said, “A pop-up museum is an amazing opportunity to showcase our Roundtable, especially now, when interest in our nation’s history has been piqued by America 250 events happening all around the country.”
Several guest speakers have already agreed to share Civil War and Revolutionary War subjects during museum exhibit hours. Those dates and times (and speaker names/topics) will be shared as soon as the schedule is complete. And we’ll soon also be reaching out to you with a request to volunteer as a greeter/docent and/or to help with setup/teardown of the exhibits.
Donations to cover incidental costs associated with the popup museum exhibit will also be greatly appreciated. You can mail a donation to CWRT of Eastern Pa., Inc., PO Box 333, Allentown, Pa. 18105, OR bring a donation (cash or check) along with you to our November 4, 2025, or December 2, 2025, Round Table meetings. This is our chance to shine!