Patch Picks: Five Nazareth History Books

What does the average person know about Nazareth history? Probably the basics: it was founded in 1740 by Moravian immigrants, and the Henry family built one of their legendary gun manufactories here. But really, what else?

This week’s list is for the history buffs and the curious parties. These five books (or in a couple of cases, collections) detail the history of our locale, not just Nazareth but also its vicinity. All of the books listed are available at the , the , and the .

1. History of Nazareth – This two-volume collection covers, well, the history of Nazareth. The first book was compiled by the Reverend George M. Shultz of the Moravian Historical Society. It covers the founding of Nazareth in 1740 up to its bicentennial in 1940. The second volume, compiled and edited by Alice R. Yeakel, covers 1940 to 1990.

2. Memories of Old Nazareth – The full title of this digest is actually, “Memories of Old Nazareth: Stories of a German-American Moravian Village, 1740-1860.” Compiled by John Woolf Jordan and published in 1894, this book tells stories of the founding of Nazareth, as well as early pioneers, young industry, relations with Native Americans, the Revolutionary War and much more.

 3. Jacobsburg: A Pennsylvania Community And Its People – Jacob Hubler built the first log cabin that would eventually become the village of Jacobsburg in 1740, the same year that the Moravians settled Nazareth. Written by Charles M. Sandwick, Sr., this book is the village’s tell-all, covering the industrial prosperity that the Henry family brought to the area, all the way to 1984. The book was published in 1985 by the Jacobsburg Historical Society.

 4. History of Northampton County – This three-volume compilation, fully titled “History of Northampton County and the Grand Valley of the Lehigh,” was edited by William J. Heller. The most comprehensive edition on this list, the history begins early with the Native American settlements throughout the valley, and goes into great historical and biographical detail up to 1920.

5. Nazareth Keepsake Series – Last, but certainly not least, is a series of pocket-sized books called the Nazareth Keepsake Series. Beginning in 1986, one book was published per year until 2005, bringing the total to 20 in the series. Each book is written by a different author and highlights a unique feature about Nazareth. Titles include “Nazareth 1740,” “Inns of Nazareth,” “Journey To Nazareth,” “Music in Nazareth,” and “History of Nazareth Hall,” among many more. The books are copyrighted by the Moravian Hall Square Museum.