Moravian Preservation Master Plan.indb - Society for College and ...

Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
historical archeological resources is considered to
be low.
Signifi cance and Integrity Evaluation
The Grandstand is an example of an early twentieth
century event-viewing structure. Constructed of
steel fabricated by its original owner, U.S. Steel, it
had a roof and glass side walls to shelter spectators
and interior space below the bleacher seats to
accommodate a gymnasium. The surrounding
landscape was originally designed to host soccer
games, particularly those of the Bethlehem Steel
Soccer Club.
The Steel Field Grandstand building and its
landscape have a moderate level of integrity.
Major changes to the building include the bricking
up of original windows at the front and back of
the building, both under the bleachers and at the
top rear of the viewing section, removal of clear
paneled side walls, and the addition of partial brick
side walls in the viewing section. Since its original
construction, changes have been made to the field
to transform it into a track and football facility.
Comenius Lawn Character Area
The Comenius Lawn character area encompasses
the front and side yards of Comenius Hall, the
first college building to be constructed on the
North Main Street Campus tract (figure 5-72). The
tract was donated by the Moravian Congregation
of Bethlehem in 1889 for expansion of the college
and included a hill that slopes to the east and south
to a tributary of Monocacy Creek and west to the
creek, itself. A farmhouse, built in the 1820s (now
known as Hamilton Hall), was already located
at the crest of this hill and was purchased by the
College in 1889 along with the tract. Comenius Hall
was constructed in 1891 approximately 100 feet to
the east of the farmhouse.
This character area comprises slightly over two
acres bounded by Main Street to the east, Locust
Street to the south, and Elizabeth Avenue to the
north. The west boundary is considered to be the
back façade of Comenius Hall. This character area
encompasses Comenius Hall and its generous front
lawn dotted with large, historic trees dating to the
late Victorian era.
Natural Systems and Features
The hilltop upon which Comenius Hall was
constructed is the most dominant natural feature in
the character area.
Contributing features:
• Hilltop topography
Buildings
Comenius Hall was designed by architect A.W.
Leh in the Richardsonian Romanesque style
and constructed in 1891 (figure 5-73). The ornate
exterior was adorned with Moravian tilework
and a slate roof. At the time, all needs of the
school could be met within this single building,
which contained dormitories, classrooms, and a
basement gymnasium. In 1893, the Gothic Revival
Borhek Chapel was constructed on its north end.
A corresponding addition on the south end of
Comenius was planned but was not built at this
point (Moravian College 2007:7-8; Yates 1976:262).
This addition, the Harvey Memorial Library, was
not constructed until 1907 (figure 5-74). For a more
detailed building analysis and discussion, refer to
Chapter 8 of this report.
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 5 • Cultural Landscapes • 99