May 16, 2026 Heritage Day

Heritage Day is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the Borough of Hellertown and surrounding Lower Saucon Township. The event is sponsored by the Hellertown and Lower Saucon historical societies and the Saucon Valley Conservancy.

This year’s event was held May 16 at two locations: the 1761 Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex off West Walnut Street in south Hellertown, and the Michael Heller Homestead along Saucon Creek, adjacent to the Water Street Bridge connecting Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

Heritage Day featured a much larger celebration in 2026 to honor the 250th anniversary – the semiquincentennial anniversary – of the founding of the United States. 

Activities at the Conservancy’s Michael Heller Homestead followed a theme of “Honoring Saucon Valley Revolutionary War Roots”. Conservancy researchers recognized 70 Saucon Valley Revolutionary War veterans – Michael Heller among them - who served in the Northampton County militia and Pennsylvania Continental Line; some in milestone events that defined the colonies’ fight for freedom. 

The Conservancy had a historic wagon on site, where donations for local food banks were collected, in recognition of the wagons of food the Hellers supplied to soldiers at Valley Forge. The Heller Homestead farmhouse was open to visitors. There were activities for children, including a historically themed scavenger hunt. Re-enactors talked to visitors, live music performed, and period baked goods and refreshments were be served.

Heritage Day is open to the public free of charge. Shuttle service from off-site parking areas in Hellertown. will provide to and from both event sites. For more information, visit the Hellertown Historical Society Facebook page, and website at www.hellertownhistoricalsociety.org.