Lance E. Metz

Lance E. Metz 1947-2020 Noted Historian and Archivist of the Lehigh Valley



Lance E. Metz, 72, of Allentown, PA, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2020 at the Lehigh Center in Macungie, PA. He was born in Phillipsburg on November 23, 1947 to the late Earl R.and Betty Mae Housel Metz. He attended Phillipsburg High School, Class of 1965, and the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, PA. He earned a B.A. in History from Moravian College and a Masters degree at the University of Maine.

Lance succeeded in carrying out an illustrious career as a noted Lehigh Valley historian and archivist for the National Canal Museum. He actively pursued the history and collection of information documenting the growth and development of the Lehigh Valley. His work encompassed the preservation of records and artifacts for canals, railroads and Bethlehem Steel. In 2005, he received the Society for Industrial Archaeology's highest honor, The General Tools Company Lifetime Achievement Award, for his work in preserving the legacy of Bethlehem Steel and the Bethlehem plant. His involvement with the steel site includes playing a major role in the development and production of PBS's Emmy-winning documentary "Bethlehem Steel: The Company that Built America". He was the Historical Consultant for the Sands Casino and Steel Stacks Project. He advocated for the creation of a National Museum of Industrial History at the Bethlehem site. Lance recognized that the last remnants of Pennsylvania's silk industry were rapidly disappearing and so he organized a team effort to document every mill structure still standing, he raised funds to photograph the mills, collect oral histories, and interpret the history of silk manufacturing, then he produced a documentary film on this industry. Lance was also instrumental in having the Easton House, built in 1754, also known as the Bachmann Publick House designated a historic landmark in the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania.

Lance was responsible for written histories of many of the industrial sites of Pennsylvania, including "The Anthracite Iron Industry of the Lehigh Valley" with Craig Bartholemew, and "Bethlehem Steel" with photographs by Andrew Garn. He has written or contributed to many other books as well and produced article on a wide range of topics, including the Molly Maguires. He was also the editor-in-chief of Canal History & Technology Press.

Lance was an active member of the NJ Canal Society, Pennsylvania Canal Society, the Society for Industrial Archaeology, Jacobsburg Historical Society, Steel Workers Archives and numerous other national and state historical groups. At the end of his career, he created an endowment to the Jacobsburg Historical Society to house his extensive collection of books.

Lance will always be remembered by his wife, brother, nephews, friends and colleagues as loyal, loving, open, honest, supportive, compassionate, focused, thoughtful and fun-loving with a generous spirit, a raucous laugh and a unique singing voice. He enjoyed reading, collectIng comic books, and vacationing at the cabin in Maine and visiting the beach.

Lance is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan Holman Metz, brother Keith J. Metz and his wife Lynne of Harmony Township, NJ. Lance was proud of his nephews, Daniel K. Metz, Justin Holman, Jeremy Holman, Casey Holman, and Jason Holman. He is predeceased by his parents Earl R. Metz, a WWII veteran and Betty Mae Housel Metz.

A private service for Lance will be held by the family due to current guidelines in place for the Covid-19 pandemic. A memorial service to celebrate Lance's life will be planned at a later date. Interment will take place at Stewartsville Lutheran Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ. The Rupell Funeral Home, LLC; 465 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, Nj 08865 have been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor; 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd, Easton, PA 18042 ; or the Jacobsburg Historical Society; PO Box 345; Nazareth, PA 18064.