South Bethlehem Resident Created Signature Turn-of-the-Century Architecture that Endures as Backdrop Today

Press contact: Tina Bradford 610-248-3460

BETHLEHEM, PA – A.W. Leh’s prolific design career spanned the glorious Industrial Era, and his work is documented in the new book, “A Living Legacy: Architecture of A.W. Leh,” (Moon Trail Books, September 2009) launched on Leh’s 161st birthday, Thursday, September 17, at Ambre’ Studio, a building designed by Leh during the late 1880’s. Ambre’ Studio is located at 310 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA.

Flat Iron Building, designed by A.W. Leh / Photo by John Kish IV

“A. W. Leh (1848-1918) created a good part of the architectural backdrop against which the dramas of people’s daily lives here in Bethlehem were played out,” says author Ken Raniere, of Coopersburg.

Raniere has spent nearly two years researching Leh, who designed more than 250 buildings across the Lehigh Valley, New Jersey and Philadelphia regions. Buildings designed by Leh across the region during the Industrial Era are numerous, and include: Ambre’ Studio, Broughal Middle School, Comenius Hall of Moravian College, the Flat Iron Building, Landmark Commons, dozens of churches including the New Reformed Church, and Main Street Commons, formerly Orr’s Department Store. Photographer of the book is John Kish IV, and publisher is Pat McAndrew, Moon Trail Books. A.W. Leh, “A Living Legacy” is $125.00 and may be purchased at The Moravian Book Shop, or online at www.moontrailbks.com.