Slate Belt Heritage Center

What's New?


Note: starting in December, we are holding our monthly lectures on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm.

New Bus Tours!

On April 4th, 2009, we launched the third of our ethnic heritage books: At the Blue Hills Above the Forks: Pennsylvania Dutch Culture in Northampton County’s Slate Belt by author Melissa E. Hough.

It is available for sale at the Heritage Center, Merchants Bank, and Chocolates on Broadway.




Monthly Lecture Series


Summer lectures are the 2nd Thursday of the month from April to November at 7:00 pm.

Winter lectures are the 2nd Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm.

Check the schedule often as lectures may change.

Upcoming lectures feature:

Feb. 14th, Jody Pysher
NOTE: special time, Sunday at 2:00 PM
Bangor, Then and Now

Mar. 14th, Russel Stout
NOTE: special time, Sunday at 2:00 PM
Lewis & Clark Expedition

Apr. 15th, John Reinhart
The Welsh of the Slate Belt

May 10th, Cheryl Statham
Preserving Food our Great Grandparents Way

Jun. 10th, Mike Piersa
Topic on Slate




Current Collections


Our collections are constantly changing. The next collections include:

Dec. 7th - Mar. 28th
Toys of Christmas Past

Mar. 28th - Jul. 31th
Welsh Display

See Photo Gallery of Past Exhibits

Welcome


Old Town Hall The Slate Belt Heritage Center was built in 1907 and originally served as the town hall, council chambers, borough offices, and fire department for the town of Bangor, Pennsylvania. In 1998, a group of determined citizens decided to save the deteriorating building and use it to house local heritage.

In February 1999, the Bangor Town Council was approached regarding leasing this historic structure in order to restore it to its original state. Many volunteers enthusiastically began the arduous task of refurbishing the center from its hardwood floors to the tower housing the old town clock.

One of the highlights is a mural that covers the entire wall of the staircase painted by art students from Bangor High School depicting the history of Bangor from its beginning to the end of the 20th century.

In 2000, the Slate Belt Heritage Center opened its doors to the public in order to serve as a tribute to the early Slate Belt settlers and showcase their unique blend of ethnic cultures. The center contains two floors of self-guided exhibits.