Nancy Rutman
Nancy Rutman discovered an interest in American history as a teenager, during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. Along with her parents, she began assembling a collection of historical postcards, books, ephemera, photographs, and ephemera that tell the story of the Lehigh Valley region. The collection now numbers in the thousands. Rutman has presented programs on local history to many community groups and organizations. She has also designed two books on the history of Bethlehem: Tuned for Praise, about the Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir, and The Moravian Christmas Putz. She lives in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where she works as a freelance copy editor and publication production specialist.
Karen Samuels
Karen M. Samuels is the author or co-author of seven books on the Bethlehem area history and a Keystone Press Award-winning newspaper columnist. Samuels has appeared on television and radio to discuss her books and columns. She earned an advanced degree in Local History from Oxford University. After retirement as a guidance counselor and an art teacher, Samuels became involved with the efforts to restore a one-room schoolhouse, in Lower Saucon Township. In writing grants for funds to restore the structure, she found that she had a knack for historical research. Samuels now devotes full-time to studying the history of the Lehigh Valley. She lives in an old stone farmhouse with her husband, John, and their dog, Ellie.
Chris Eline
Chris Eline is a local historian and retired firefighter from Bethlehem, Pa. His passion and desire to learn more about our rich past has been foremost in his life. After serving in the US Navy after high school, he was hired by the Bethlehem Fire Dept. He quickly developed a reputation as the “curator” of several historical aspects within the department. It includes display cases, research, and collecting photographs. It’s these photographs that formed the backbone of this project. This comprehensive book on the history of the Bethlehem Fire Dept. is the first of its kind with many never before seen photographs. Chris resides in Bethlehem with his family and two dogs.
