Museum Information

Graves photographs Delaware Water Gap

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Delaware Water Gap, both as a town and a natural geological landmark, has been featured as the subject of numerous pieces of artwork, stories, poems, and photographs. For years, visitors have been drawn to this small mountain community. Jesse A. Graves was no different. Read More...

Pennsylvania’s infamous ‘Walking Purchase’

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When Thomas Penn, one of William Penn's sons, sought additional lands from native Americans for the Pennsylvania colony, it was agreed between the two parties that this new land grant would contain a tract of land beginning at Wrightstown and extending northward as far as a man could walk in one and one-half days. This became known as the infamous "Walking Purchase." Read More...

Historical Marker dedicated in Smithfield Township

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On Friday, July 2, 2010, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, together with the Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors, the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors, and the Eastern Monroe Regional Commission dedicated an official State Historical Marker commemorating the Shawnee/Minisink Archaeological Site at Rivers Edge Park in Minisink Hills. Read More...

History of the Stroudsburg Post Office

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The first Post Office in Stroudsburg was created shortly after 1800, with Daniel Stroud serving as postmaster. The first returns were made to Daniel Stroud on April 1, 1803. Over the years, the Post Office was moved to various locations around Stroudsburg. In 1884, it was located at the corner of Main and 7th Streets. By 1915, the building was at 567 Main Street, and in 1928, it was located at 22 South 6th Street. Read More...

Paradise fish hatchery oldest in state

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On March 9, 1970, by an act of Legislature, the brook trout was named the official state fish of Pennsylvania. In 1902, a Monroe County business created an industry to sell this native fish species to the public. The Paradise Brook Trout Co. was the first licensed trout hatchery in Pennsylvania. Founded by a group of businessmen from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the hatchery is still operating today on Route 191 in Paradise Township.
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Monroe County’s first world record

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On Easter Sunday in 1898, a special edition of the Stroudsburg Daily Times was printed, and in the process, a world record was broken. Only hours before, the paper used for the newspaper had been a living tree. It was all done to commemorate the Stroudsburg Daily Times’ fourth anniversary. Read More...

The Legend of Lover’s Leap

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An old tale from Monroe County’s history recounts the legend of a love between and Indian princess and an early Dutch settler. The story, which may or may not be true, was first recorded in Luke W. Brodhead’s 1870 book, The Delaware Water Gap, Its Legends and Early History. As the story goes, Princess Winona was the beloved and only daughter of Chief Wissinoming, the noble leader of the Minisink. While the chief ruled all of the land along the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers to the Atlantic Ocean, the headquarters of the tribe was located near Shawnee Island and present-day Smithfield Township, Monroe County. Read More...

Counting America: A history of the census

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Every 10 years, the United States government conducts a census. A census is a regularly occurring official count that collects the economic, demographic and social data of a population. The information is collected, analyzed, and used in a variety of ways, including determining how much federal funding a community is eligible to receive to realigning congressional districts. Another example includes many family historians who use older census reports to research their ancestors. Read More...