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Long before colonial settlers created Allentown, the area was home to the Delaware/Lenape and other Northeastern Woodlands tribes. When you stop to explore the Museum of Indian Culture, you can learn more about these tribes and what their life was like. Exhibits in the museum showcase artifacts, cultural items, and trade goods that include carvings, ceramics, tools, weapons, beadwork, and basketry. You can also check out the interactive activities to try your hand at starting a fire and throwing a spear.

Every year, millions of people travel to Philadelphia to view the Liberty Bell. However, most of these people don’t realize that the bell was once hidden under the floorboards of a church in Allentown. The Liberty Bell Museum, which is located in the historic Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, tells the story of this daring rescue mission during the Revolutionary War. The museum also has an exact replica of the bell that you can ring and exhibits detailing colonial America and the Revolutionary War.

Allentown has a fascinating automotive history that you can check out with a visit to America on Wheels. This transportation museum has exhibits that feature over 75 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles that showcase how we moved people and products in the past and today. One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is located in the North Gallery. It shows many early versions of vehicles, such as one of the first electric cars and one of the first American cars ever made.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Center is one of the largest historical society museums in the country. If you’re interested in uncovering more about the history of the region, this is the perfect place to go. The museum has six galleries and a collection that includes more than 120,000 vintage photographs, 35,000 historical artifacts, and 3 million documents. In the BB&T Bank Historical Exhibit Gallery, you can learn about everything from the people who have lived in the region to the industries that have made the area what it is today.

Even though Mack no longer has a large presence in Allentown, you can still learn more about the history of the company with a visit to the Mack Trucks Historical Museum. Take a tour of the museum to discover everything you wanted to know about Mack trucks that range from current models to antique trucks that are over 100 years old. The museum also has a nice collection of Mack Trucks memorabilia.

When you’re ready to dive into some of the rich history of Allentown, these historic places and museums are the best spots to visit.

Image via Flickr by Allie_Caulfield | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original