New Bethlehem’s Location in The Handmaid’s Tale

Where is New Bethlehem in The Handmaid’s Tale?

Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale have been eager to learn more about the settlement of New Bethlehem, which made a significant appearance in Season six. Commander Lawrence, portrayed by Bradley Whitford, was leading the charge in establishing this new area within the brutal world of Gilead.

New Bethlehem was envisioned as a safe haven where Gilead refugees could find shelter and a more humane existence. With Serena Joy, played by Yvonne Strahovski, by his side, Commander Lawrence aimed to present a kinder view of the oppressive regime to the outside world.

But where exactly is this pocket of hope located within the bleak landscape of Gilead?

In Season five, Commander Lawrence described New Bethlehem as a “modernized, strategically liberalized island” within Gilead’s territory. This island would be free from the horrors of handmaids and hangings, allowing women the freedom to read, write, work, and even wear trousers. With the island being compared in size to Hong Kong, it suggests that New Bethlehem is a substantial piece of land.

While the specific location is not explicitly stated, it is believed to be near Boston, where Commander Lawrence and other characters like Aunt Lydia and Commander Wharton are based. The proximity of these characters implies that New Bethlehem is in close proximity to the Boston area.

Taking real-life geography into account, New Bethlehem could potentially be located among the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, including islands like Spectacle Island, Georges Island, and Peddocks Island. Additionally, locations like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard could also serve as the fictional backdrop for New Bethlehem within Gilead.

Although The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian version of the USA, the show is actually filmed in Canada. Atlas of Wonders and Reddit have revealed that scenes for New Bethlehem were filmed at the Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club on Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada. This location, only 20 minutes from international border crossings along the Niagara River, serves as the perfect barrier between America and Canada.

The history of the Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club sheds some light on its relevance to The Handmaid’s Tale. Originally a religious campground in 1888, the area evolved to include entertainment and sideshow performances between sermons. Throughout the years, the park transformed with the addition of fairground amusements, a hotel, a dance hall, and more. Eventually, the park closed in 1989, giving way to a residential community that stands today with 151 lots and a strong sense of family-focused living.

As Season six of The Handmaid’s Tale continues to unfold, viewers are sure to learn more about the significance and impact of New Bethlehem within the world of Gilead.