The Luzerne County Historical Society

Mailing address:
The Luzerne County Historical Society
49 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

Phone Number: 570-823-6244

Web Site: www.luzernecountyhistory.com

History:

On February 11, 1858, a group gathered at the Old Fell Tavern in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the first recorded successful burning of anthracite coal in an open grate by Judge Jesse Fell. During the event, General E. L. Dana recommended the founding of a historical society. A resolution passed unanimously, and the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society was incorporated in May, 1858.

By 1877, the Society had rooms in the Old Fellows Hall and was open to the public on Friday evenings. Later it added a meeting room and library.

In 1882, Isaac Osterhout established space for the Society in the free library that was developed under his will. The Osterhout Free Library trustees voted to erect a new building right behind the library to house the Society's collections. The building opened in 1893.

The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society reached its present state with the acquisition of the Swetland Homestead in 1958, and the Bishop Library in 1971.

The Mission

The Society's mission is to preserve and promote the heritage and collective history of Luzerne County Pennsylvania. It stores, records, and interprets the history, traditions, events, people, and cultures of the region.

The Museum

The permanent exhibit on the Native American inhabitants of the region includes local artifacts from stone implements of the Archaic period to the evidence of European influence. There is a permanent exhibit on anthracite mining, which dominated the area for a very long time. Rotating exhibits concentrate on events and significant influences on the lives of the people. The Weathervane Gift Shop has a variety of gifts relating to the collections, and a selection of local publications. The Museum has an extensive collection of books and publications which are part of the Bishop Memorial Library.

Research
The Historical Society does historical and genealogical research. They have a separate form for each area.

What's New

The museum has a new exhibit entitled "The Susquehanna: Mirror of Our History." Visitors can get a taste of life along the river and the impact of the Susquehanna on the Wyoming Valley.

Source : www.luzernecountyhistory.com