The Lackawanna Historical Society

The Lackawanna Historical Society Inspiring exploration of the history of Lackawanna County

Before the fireworks commence next week, let's take a look back at past celebrations across Lackawanna County! In Octo...
06/23/2026

Before the fireworks commence next week, let's take a look back at past celebrations across Lackawanna County! In October 1916, Scranton celebrated its 50th anniversary, or semicentennial. (The city's actual anniversary is April 23, but organizers waited until fall, hoping for better weather!) The city was decked in bunting and flags; concerts, dancing, carnivals, and parade of more than 10,000 marchers provided entertainment. A special guest was William Morris, who claimed the distinction of being Scranton's first baby-- Morris was born 10 days after the city was incorporated in 1866!

We introduced Col. John Jenkins as a surveyor and mapmaker, and, fittingly, his archive also contains a treasure map! So...
06/22/2026

We introduced Col. John Jenkins as a surveyor and mapmaker, and, fittingly, his archive also contains a treasure map! Sort of.
His grandson Steuben recorded the legend of the Wintermoot treasure, "plates of gold and silver as large as the moon" supposedly buried after the Battle of Wyoming by the Wintermoot, Van Alstyne and Van Gorder families. Steuben notes that it was entrusted to a singular, old man by the name of Campbell who lived on the edge of a cliff. However, as time passed the myth grew so large that no one ever agreed on the place it was buried, leaving it lost to time.

We're going back in time for Lackawanna Past Times! Join us this Friday June 26 at 2pm to learn more about the Native Am...
06/20/2026

We're going back in time for Lackawanna Past Times! Join us this Friday June 26 at 2pm to learn more about the Native Americans of the Wyoming Valley with Michelle Dembesky of the DAR.
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As we're gearing up for celebrations in a few weeks, we're reviving one of our favorite party scenes: a patriotic gard...
06/18/2026

As we're gearing up for celebrations in a few weeks, we're reviving one of our favorite party scenes: a patriotic garden party on the grounds of James Archbald's estate on Ridge Row! We suspect the party was a charitable fundraiser; several booths for vendors or exhibits can be seen scattered across the lawn.

Sometimes we find photos in our collection that capture a very brief moment in time, like this shot of a series of tidy ...
06/17/2026

Sometimes we find photos in our collection that capture a very brief moment in time, like this shot of a series of tidy row houses at the corner of Spruce and Wyoming. Behind the row are the stables for the Forest House, a hotel located diagonally across Spruce Street where the Hotel Jermyn now stands. The very edge of St. Luke's church roofline is visible on the left edge of the photo; the center background captures the original 13th regiment armory on Adams Avenue. And the empty space behind the stable building? By 1884, it would be Courthouse Square!

Welcome summer! Scranton Times' photographer Phillips Butler captured this atmospheric shot of a diver plunging into Nay...
06/16/2026

Welcome summer! Scranton Times' photographer Phillips Butler captured this atmospheric shot of a diver plunging into Nay Aug's Lake Lincoln in the 1950s. Opened in 1909, the manmade concrete lake was a popular swimming spot until 1968, when it was replaced with a modern swim complex.

It's hot--join us for Dine Lackawanna this Wednesday, June 17 at Catch 21 Seafood & Steak in Scranton and give your stov...
06/14/2026

It's hot--join us for Dine Lackawanna this Wednesday, June 17 at Catch 21 Seafood & Steak in Scranton and give your stove a break!

Friends, be sure to stop by the Scranton Public Library on Tuesday, June 23 between 10am and 7:30pm to see the unveiling...
06/12/2026

Friends, be sure to stop by the Scranton Public Library on Tuesday, June 23 between 10am and 7:30pm to see the unveiling of our showcase, "Lackawanna Looks Back" and learn more about our local communities!

Coming to Steamtown National Historic Site to see the Big Boy? Stop by the Lackawanna Historical Society's Catlin House ...
06/11/2026

Coming to Steamtown National Historic Site to see the Big Boy? Stop by the Lackawanna Historical Society's Catlin House to see a really tiny train, too! We'll be featuring a special exhibit on the 1951 DL&W Centennial, with a model of the "Spitfire," the railroad's first locomotive. Visit us Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm and Saturday noon-3pm.

Address

232 Monroe Avenue
Scranton, PA
18510

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 3pm

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