New beginnings are often built on memories of the past.

Such is the case in the Lehigh Valley, in the towns along the D&L Trail where American's industrial history is not only vital to its story today, but on display as well, with dozens of redevelopment projects complete or in the works.

In speaking to officials from the area to understand the history of the region, we got the inside scoop on the projects that are most worth a tour or two.

Simon Silk Mill

‍Originally built in 1883, Easton’s Simon Silk Mill complex boasts a mix of residential and more than a dozen businesses, including a healthy selection of local distilleries and breweries, like BöserGeistBrewing, County Seats Spirits, Easton Wine Project and Separatist Beer. 

SteelStacks

‍SteelStacks a 10-acre cultural arts center that has received more than $70 million in redevelopment investment, led by the nonprofit ArtsQuest. Since opening in 2011, more than a million people have attended 1,750 musical performances there.

National Museum of Industrial History‍

Opened in 2016 and housed in a former electrical repair shop for Bethlehem Steel, the National Museum of Industrial History tells the story of American Industry, starting with Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition, which first showed off the manufacturing power of the country in 1876.

Factory

‍In downtown Bethlehem, a former steel building has been converted into Factory, a 40,000 sq. ft. innovation facility focused on attracting and growing food startups. They’ve had a big early success with its Stuffed Puffs brand, a s’mores marshmallow snack, which opened a 150,000 sq. ft. production facility in 2019.

Northampton Community College’s Fab Lab

‍Fab Lab, a state-of-the-art prototyping facility at Northampton Community College is home to a metal and wood shop, 3D printers, laser cutters and much more, is housed in a former Bethlehem Steel building. 

Victory Firehouse

Victory Firehouse, a rehabbed early-20th century municipal building in Bethlehem that now houses a half dozen small companies, was the vision of Bethlehem medical device company OraSure Technologies founder Mike Gausling.

The Social Still

‍Distiller The Social Still converted the original Gostonyi Savings & Trust bank building in Bethlehem into a stunning restaurant and bar, taking advantage of the state’s CRIZ (City Revitalization Improvement Zone) designation.

Northampton Iron Works

‍This summer, Catasauqua officials announced the sale of the 12-acre Crane Iron Works campus, the home of the country’s first successful commercial producer of anthracite iron which operated at the start of the industrial revolution. Developer Dunn Twigger is working on a mixed-use development plan.

Sayre Mansion

‍Now a bed-and-breakfast, Bethlehem’s Sayre Mansion was the family home of Robert Heysham Sayre, the chief engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad who was also instrumental in the founding of the Bethlehem Steel Company.

Dixie Cup Factory

Although it’s not yet in the works, many residents in the Lehigh Valley point to the possibility of redeveloping the Dixie Cup factory, the famed company’s original manufacturing facility in Easton, complete with a massive Dixie Cup-modeled water tower.