Robert Heysham Sayre initiated or influenced nearly every industrial, educational, and public welfare development in the Lehigh Valley during the second half of the 19th century. Born on October 13, 1824, Sayre learned engineering in his early youth building the Switchback Railroad and enlarging the Morris Canal, and at age 30 was named chief engineer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad by Asa Packer. Packer also directed him to build the rolling mill that became the Bethlehem Iron Works and Sayre remained a manager and officer of the company until 1899.

At the same time, Sayre’s involvement in community projects, education, and philanthropy shaped the growth of South Bethlehem and its institutions. His legacy as one of the founders of Lehigh University, St. Luke’s Hospital, the Church (now the Cathedral Church) of the Nativity, and many public utilities continues to today.

The National Museum of Industrial History is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Heysham Sayre, with a special display of objects, letters, and photographs from his life on view September 14, 2024 through the end of the year.

Join us on October 13, 2024 at 1 PM as we welcome industrial historian Professor John Smith and local author Martha Capwell Fox for an intimate discussion of the life of Robert Sayre and his industrial and philanthropic legacy.

Included with museum admission