The past regained: Finding our stories at the local historical society

ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
Posted 11/28/18

HONESDALE, PA — “What happened here in the 19th century,” said S. Robert Powell, president of the Carbondale Historical Society, “changed America.” He was mainly …

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The past regained: Finding our stories at the local historical society

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HONESDALE, PA — “What happened here in the 19th century,” said S. Robert Powell, president of the Carbondale Historical Society, “changed America.”

He was mainly referring to the coal industry and the network of canals and railways that carried fuel from the mines to the rest of the country. But Powell, visiting the open house at the Wayne County Historical Society’s Main Museum on Saturday, was also making a larger point. Getting through our daily lives in difficult times, looking at small towns in need of revival, it’s easy to forget how central this part of the country was to the growth of America. And why it is so important that we remember.

The people who gathered at the open house that evening haven’t forgotten. The museum in Honesdale was open late, the lights gleaming on the snow in darkness outside. Inside, all was warm and bright, while the Honesdale-inspired seasonal song “Winter Wonderland” played in the background. People wandered through the exhibits of the library, munched on the refreshments and spoke quietly.

In a world where the problems of right now─hunger, homelessness, divisive politics─demand our attention so consistently, why pay attention to history?

“History is our common story,” said Carol Dunn, executive director of the 101-year-old historical society. “If we understand that story, it makes us part of a big brotherhood.”

The days of historical societies as closed, exclusionary groups are long gone, Powell and Dunn both said. In fact, newcomers are vital: “It can take a fresh eye to zero in on the value of what’s around us,” said Powell.

Modern groups are open to everyone who cares about where we’ve been and how our shared stories can connect us. Still, historical societies face the same challenges as other non-profits, especially in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and cultural shifts, Dunn said. There is a smaller pool of volunteers, and restricted state budgets mean smaller grants and fewer donations. Some living-history organizations and museums are seeing fewer visitors.

But maybe the drive to learn our past is still there, just reshaped for a new era. YouTube is full of living history videos. Cemetery tours─history as found six feet under─are surprisingly popular, according to Powell. Lifestyle and battle reenactments, from the mid-18th century to WWII, continue to draw crowds, both to participate and to watch.

The packed open house over the weekend in Honesdale, where about 50 people visited at its peak, suggests that historical societies offer something special. Exhibits, such as the “History of Wayne County in 100 Objects” at the main museum make the past concrete. Volunteers are happy to share their knowledge, and they know stories you likely won’t find in the history books. Visiting the local museum is a way to connect with years and lives gone by. As Dunn said, “Our history is here for everyone to learn. Everyone is part of it.”

 Saturday was also the first day of sale for “The Story of Winter Wonderland,” by Wayne County Historian Peter Becker. The iconic song was written by Honesdale native Dick Smith, who wrote the song in 1934 while recuperating from TB at West Mountain Sanitarium in Scranton. This piece of history is especially timely, as the Honesdale Borough Council considers an ordinance to rename the now-controversial star and cross on Irving Cliff in his honor. The book is available at the historical society.

Historical societies are eager for new members; here are just a few of the many groups in our region.

The Wayne County Historical Society at 570/253-3240 or online at Wayne HistoryPA.org

The Pike County Historical Society in Milford at pikehistorical.org.

The Sullivan County Historical Society in Hurleyville, NY at 845/434-8044 or online at scnyhistory.org

Basket Historical Society in Long Eddy, NY 845/887-6703 or on Facebook at Basket Historical Society of the Upper Delaware Valley.

The Minisink Valley Historical Society in Port Jervis 845/856-2375, online at minisink.orgGertus huideme ntebefex

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