Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem, PA
Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem, PA, is a colonial-era plantation estate with a long and fascinating history. Located at 4250 Burning Tree Road, the present site of Burnside Plantation was originally part of a 5,000-acre tract of land owned by three prominent Pennsylvania Germans in the late 17th century. More can be found here
The estate was extremely successful, and by 1810 the Burnsides owned 551 acres of land. They built a large stone mansion on the grounds and it quickly became a social center for the surrounding area. The family also purchased more land, eventually expanding the estate to more than 1,000 acres. The plantation served as a major economic hub for the Lehigh Valley, supplying grain, livestock, and board to towns and cities as far away as Pennsylvania. During the late 19th century, the Burnside family began to experience difficult financial times, and eventually, they were forced to sell most of the property. What remained was purchased by John May in 1904. Now owned by the May family, the remaining 205 acres of the estate were preserved and are now known as Burnside Plantation. Today, Burnside Plantation is a National Historic Landmark and is home to a variety of attractions and events. The house and grounds are open to the public and offer tours, living history programs, reenactments, and other special events. The estate also has a museum filled with period artifacts and offers a glimpse into the long and fascinating history of the Plantation. Click here to read about Illick's Mill Park in Bethlehem, PA.