Highlights from THE BOOKMARK Walking Tour

Thanks to a reader’s suggestion, please join me on a virtual walking tour of Historic Bethlehem, covering many of the sights featured in The Bookmark. 

The 1741 Gemeinhaus

We’ll start our virtual tour at the oldest building in Bethlehem, the 1741 Gemeinhaus. In German, Gemeinhaus means community house, and this building would have been the center of all activity in early Bethlehem. People would have slept in the attic, taken their meals in the basement, and prayed in Bethlehem’s first worship space on the second floor. It really was their home. 

Today, the building houses the Moravian Museum where I work as a volunteer docent. In the book, Abbey Prescott visits the museum, and this is where she first learns of the gossip regarding the relationship between Liesl Boeckel and Lafayette.

The Sister’s House

In the book, Liesl moves into the Sisters’ House when she joins the Older Girls’ choir, and this is where she meets her nemesis, the Labouress. Abbey and Kera also stop by here when Kera needs a break from Abbey’s intense jogging. Abbey stares at this historic building thinking about Liesl and wondering why so many Moravian sisters chose to remain single.

I’ve given this a lot of thought too, and I believe it’s because they could. In much of the world at that time, women had no choice. They were forced into marriage by their parents, pressured by their society, or simply recognized the economic reality that they were unable to support themselves. And then, we have Liesl Boeckel who not only never married but had a career as a nurse. In the 1700’s. She really is quite extraordinary.

The Bell House and Weather Vane

During that same jogging break, Abbey notices the unusual weather vane on top of the Bell House. Kera explains that it’s the Moravian Seal “with the Lamb of God signaling the direction of the wind while victoriously triumphing over sin and death.” The seal reappears later in the book when Sister Adelina tells Liesl about the Labouress’s dream. The one where the angels press the Moravian seal into the foreheads of the faithful— everyone, that is, except for Liesl Boeckel. Of course, this is the Labouress’s dream., and we don’t believe it for minute.

The Waffle House

Does anything about this house look familiar? Take a closer look at the lattice-patterned pediment above the butter-yellow porch and wonder if a little girl with an imagination might call this “The Waffle House.” Of course, this is the home that inspired me when I created Nana’s house!

Nana’s Favorite View

This is what Abbey calls Nana’s favorite view, offering a lovely contrast between the luminous Central Moravian Church and the older, darker early Moravian buildings. The section that juts out is the Old Chapel. This is where Liesl sang the hymn “Jesus Call Thou Me” at Christmastime when she was a little girl. The Old Chapel was also the scene of Liesl’s biggest disappointment when The Lot prevented her from marrying Matthew.

Many important things happen at this spot in our modern story as well. Abbey first brings Pete here after they find Liesl’s grave, when they are just getting to know each other. They meet here again later and have their big argument when Pete reveals that he’s an architect—and Abbey feels he has betrayed her trust.  

However, not to worry, because at the end of the story they return here one more time, holding hands as if getting ready to sing a duet. Abbey tells Pete she’s thinking about doing a full-scale restoration of her house and wonders if he might be interested in a long-term project. Pete responds, “Yes, my dear MPM, my plans are definitely for the long term.”

The Boeckel Family Home

The Boeckel family home is gone, but we know exactly where it was located thanks to this historical maker right in front of the Donegal Irish store and McCarthy’s Pub. Kera and Abbey visit both establishments after their Ghost Walk, and Kera fatefully suggests Abbey hire Pete. Abbey also learns about the ghost that haunts the second floor. People who work here are quite convinced the ghost exists, and many believe it is the ghost of Liesl Boeckel. I don’t doubt they have a ghost; however, I don’t believe it’s Liesl. I prefer to think she had a happy, fulfilling life and would have no reason to hang around here.

Liesl’s Grave

We’ll end our virtual tour here at Liesl’s grave in God’s Acre, the most peaceful spot in Historic Bethlehem. One of my favorite scenes in the book takes place here when Abbey visits Liesl’s grave and whispers, “Lisel, I am here.” Which, of course, mimics what Abbey’s mom said when they visited Lafayette’s grave in Paris: “Lafayette, je suis ici. I am here.” These scenes embody an important theme in the book--the belief that the past is always with us. I certainly believe it, and I’m guessing it’s probably why so many of us love reading historical fiction.